Burglary

Serial 0029 of 20/08/2014 relates to a burglary at a property in Horsham.

 

Sometime between 00:20 and 00:40 hours on 20/08/2014 a property in Giblets Lane, Horsham was broken into.

 

It would appear the offender/s were able to gain entry by attempting to climb in to an open window in the downstairs of the property.      .

 

Items taken include a set of keys.    

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0029 20/08/2014.

 

Burglaries in Horsham

Serial 0807 of 13/08/2014 relates to a Garage break in Beech Road, Horsham.

 

During day time hours on 13/08/2014 a number of garages were broken in to in several roads including Sycamore Avenue, The Pines and Beech Road in Horsham.

 

A property In Church Road, Horsham was also subject to an attempt burglary.

 

Three males in their late teens have been arrested in connection with all the above burglaries.

 

Police are appealing for anyone with information to call 101 quoting serial 0807 of 13/08/2014.

 

Horsham Neighbourhood Policing team (HorshamNPT@sussex.pnn.police.uk)

 

If you report an incident to the police via 101, online at http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/report-something-online or e-mail on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, please remember to say if you are from NHW, so that Police can see how effective NHW is.

Scam

Council Tax Scam

 

An elderly man in Shoreham was contacted over the phone by someone claiming to be from the Council and that he was entitled to a council tax refund. He was given the contact number for the council as 0844 800 9426, however when it was dialled, it does not appear to be a valid number.

 

The suspect then said that they would need to take a fee of £55 via debit or credit card to process the refund. The victim realised this was a scam and did not pay any money. A friend of the victim subsequently called Adur Council to confirm whether this was a legitimate call – it was not and there are other people who have experienced calls of this nature.

 

The process of claiming a Council Tax refund does not involve telephoning the person eligible for a refund. For example Adur and Worthing Council will write to the person eligible for a refund and then send a cheque or make a direct payment into their bank once they confirm that person still resides at the relevant address, and no fee would ever be requested to process a refund.

 

Please make sure that you circulate this to all your family and friends and especially those vulnerable or older members of the community who may not have access to this information electronically.

 

Councillor Angus Dunn, Cabinet Member for Resources at Adur District Council, said:

“It is distressing to hear that some of our residents have been targeted with this scam.

“When any refunds are due, we always contact the individual concerned in writing, never by telephone in the first instance.

“If anyone receives a call of this nature asking for money, then I urge them to report it to Sussex Police using the 101 hotline number.”

 

Horsham Neighbourhood Policing team (HorshamNPT@sussex.pnn.police.uk)

 

If you report an incident to the police via 101, online at http://www.sussex.police.uk/help-centre/report-something-online or e-mail on 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk, please remember to say if you are from NHW, so that Police can see how effective NHW is.

thefts of purses

There has  recently been a number of thefts of purses in the Horsham town centre area. Ladies are reminded to keep their handbags closed and close to them at all times. Never leave their bags unattended even when in changing rooms or paying for goods at the counter.

If anyone has any information as to who may be responsible then please contact Sussex Police on 101 quoting CAD's 0608,0659 or 0983 all of the 23/07/14

Suspicious Vehicle

The following vehicle EG03 NLJ a Red Vauxhall Combo van is believed to be involved in break ins to properties in the Horsham area. Any sightings please contact Sussex police on 101 with any information,

Burglaries

We have recently suffered a number of burglaries in the Horsham area. If anyone Has any knowledge as to who may be responsible for any of these then please ring Sussex police on 101 quoting the relevant CAD number 

Date: 15/07 CAD: 0563 Time: Between 4/07 and 5/07	Offence:   Burglary Dwelling Location: 9 Undermill Road, Upper Beeding, Steyning Informant reporting that there has been a burglary at home address between 2200 hrs 4/07 and 1000 hrs 5/07.   2 Gold and diamond rings (total value £2,000).   Believed this happened while husband was out walking the dog as informant saw a young IC1 male, 10-12 years with light gingery hair and wearing a red T shirt, sitting on a bike in the road outside the address after the husband left.
Date: 15/07 CAD: 0817 Time: From 1200 hrs	Offence: Burglary Dwelling Location: Amberfield, Spring Lane, Slinfold Informant has returned from holiday and has found that property has been broken into and his daughter’s car has been stolen. Mother in law has been staying at property whilst away when left at mid-day today the property was secure.    Vehicle stolen: EK58 BYB (Black Yaris) Also smashed through a locked door upstairs and have made a search of the room upstairs.
Date:  15/07 CAD: 1131	Offence: Burglary Dwelling Location: 104 Bennetts Road, Horsham Informant has reported that over two months money has been slowly taken from his house.   £120 taken from wife’s wardrobe and then £50 from her box on the dresser.  Last week main door handle was broken and noticed that last night shed had been tried and broken into. Lock and wall was damaged.   .

Bogus workmen

Dear Colleagues

The following message is being sent to all NHW Coordinators on behalf of the Sussex NHW Federation.

Dear Friends,

Whilst I appreciate this issue is connected to West Sussex at present, I am sending this across Sussex to make you aware in case they decide to enter your area! Forewarned is Forearmed.

Bogus workmen target West Sussex residents in driveway con

Date: 9 July 2014
Press release number: PR6679

West Sussex County Council is urging residents to be cautious of conmen posing as highway contractors and offering to resurface their driveways on the cheap.

The call comes after a number of recent attempts by several men, presenting themselves as West Sussex Highways workers, were reported to the County Council approaching residents offering to carry out ‘cut price’ work.

The bogus workmen have been posing as the County Council’s contractors, who are currently working on West Sussex roads repairing potholes and carrying out resurfacing.

Eileen and Michael Hallam from Rusper, near Horsham, rang the County Council after a group of men, posing as Council contractors, knocked on their front door and asked if they needed their driveway resurfaced.

Eileen said: “They told us that they had been undertaking road works nearby and had some leftover tarmac which they could use to resurface our driveway quite cheaply.

“We’ve had a number of workmen carrying out pothole repairs in the area over the last few days and, at the time, they appeared genuine.

“They said that they would draw up an invoice for the work, including VAT, and we could pay by cheque or transfer the money once the work was complete.

“However, when they turned up again the following day with their equipment they said they could not provide an invoice and would only take cash payment.

“That’s when alarm bells started ringing and we asked them to leave and threatened to call the police. They didn’t hang around after that.

“We rang the County Council and then Balfour Beatty who confirmed that the men did not work for them and that they would never offer this kind of service.

“This is obviously a scam and we’re very concerned that they may target more residents in the area, particularly older or more vulnerable people, who may not recognise they are conmen and will be left out of pocket.“

A spokesman for County Council contractor Balfour Beatty confirmed they would never offer to carry out private work for residents and any sub-contractors they use would always be able to prove that they were genuine highways workers working on behalf of the County Council.

John O’Brien, Acting County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “It is worrying that residents are being targeted by bogus workmen pretending to be legitimate County Council contractors.

“Thankfully no one has fallen for this scam yet but it is important we get the message out to residents to be on their guard.

“I would urge anyone who is approached by any workmen offering to provide private building work on behalf of the County Council to report it as soon as possible to the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06, or contact the Police as soon as possible,

 

 

Best Regards   John   John Wright MBE Chair. Sussex Neighbourhood Watch Federation. Mobile:   07917385213 Business:01444 247368 Email:enquiries@sussexnwfed.org.uk