Please follow this link to read the latest magazine from Kent Neighbourhood Watch, which gives you advice and information to help keep you safe and secure.

If you have any concerns please do contact your Neighbourhood Watch representatives, Julie, Chris or myself Jacky.

Kent Police is reminding van owners to lock their vehicles and remove valuables

At around 10.45pm on Tuesday 18 July 2017, four men were reported to have stolen gardening equipment from a van.

Two of the men drove away in a car described as a VW Golf and the other two men described as wearing a white jumper and black jumper walked away from the scene. 

Property including a drill, hedge trimmer, leaf blower and two strimmers were stolen.

Inspector Rachael Cumberland said: 'The theft of tools and equipment from work vans can have a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods, so we would urge van owners to do all they can to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.'

There are a number of steps which can be taken to help prevent items being stolen from vans:

• Remove all tools and equipment from your vehicle when it’s unattended.
• Park in a well-lit secure location in a locked garage or on a driveway if possible.
• Consider investing in additional locks that you can fit to your van.
• Consider investing in CCTV and sensors which alert you when someone walks near your vehicle or enters the driveway.
• Have valuables `security marked’ so it makes them harder to sell on if they are stolen.
• Report anyone acting suspiciously.

Anyone who saw the men or who has information that may help is asked to contact Kent Police on 01622 604100 quoting reference YY/020019/17.

Alternatively contact Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

North West Kent Neighbourhood Watch give the following advice following a recent spate of robberies by rogue traders

Lock your back doors and windows before answering your front door. Never leave your front door unattended. If you need to get something, close it until you return.

·         Use a spyhole and ask who the caller is through the door first, then keep the door on the chain.

·         Check their identification, even if they have a pre-arranged appointment.

·         If you are not expecting the caller and they do not carry an ID card, do not let them in.

·         If you have any doubts about whether the caller is genuine, ask them to leave and come back at a time convenient to you and when you've had a chance to ask someone to be with you. You can also contact Trading Standards with their vehicle details, company name, contact details and any other information you have.

·         Before allowing any work to be carried out, it is best to obtain a quote or get a second quote from a recognised firm.

·         Do not pay anyone for work before it is carried out, and certainly never go to the bank to draw out cash if a lift is offered by the people who knock on the door.

THIEVES ABOUT

There were a number of attempted thefts reported to the recent Parish Council meeting including another attempted break-in in Ewell Lane in broad daylight.

Please make sure you lock all doors and windows, when you go out. Don’t leave tempting things visible, most thefts are opportunistic and not planned. Do not give them the opportunity!

West Farleigh has a relatively low crime rate - lets keep it like this.  Please do contact your Neighbourhood Watch representatives if you have any concerns.

What do I mean by my neighbourhood?  Traditionally, the friendly little community around my home.  But as the world becomes more connected, perhaps we need to rethink the word.  Aren’t your Facebook friends “neighbours” of a kind?  Perhaps we should call them e-neighbours and the community to which I am electronically connected, is my e-neighbourhood.

My e-neighbourhood is really a jungle.  E-thieves, e-beasts and e-snakeoil salesmen lurk behind every tree.  Here’s a recent example.  I had a friendly but unsolicited call from my phone company (Vodafone, to save you guessing).  The lady wanted to review my account.  I agreed and it turned out she could put me on a better plan, with more monthly data that matched my actual usage.  That would save me money!  Of course, I was grateful and ready to agree.  And, she said, with this plan, you will receive a free tablet computer!  Wow!  I don’t actually need a tablet computer but maybe my 2 year old granddaughter does.  I’m sure she does.  And then I remembered…

2 years ago, I had a similar call from Vodafone.  This time, it was a free dongle that would create a wi-fi zone for multiple computers.  I could use it on the train.  Free?  Not really!  When my monthly bill arrived, I discovered that I was paying £15 a month for the SIM card inside.  I had unknowingly signed up for a year.  Ugh.  But once bitten, as they say, twice shy.

“So,” I said suspiciously to the Vodafone lady, “does this tablet come with a SIM card?”  “Oh yes,” she said, “of course.”  Ah-ha!!  “In that case,” I said firmly, “I don’t want it.”  “In that case,” she said firmly, “you can’t have the new data contract.”  I saw red.  The conversation became heated.  The term “mis-selling” floated between us.  It was the magic word.  All of a sudden, I could have the new contract, and no tablet needed.  

I’m sharing this, hoping it will help a real neighbour being stung the same way.  

This article is an editorial piece, not derived from the official Neighbourhood Watch.  

Has something like this happened to you?  Comment below or email us: editor@thefarleighs.co.uk  

A garden wall in Charlton Lane was badly damaged between 7 am and 8.15 am this morning.

If you saw anything please contact editors@farleighevents.co.uk. This link shows the damage.

West Kent Police have sent the advise below relating to rogue traders.

Do not deal with doorstep callers offering work on your home or garden. In one incident a 'trader' inspected the houseowners roof and reappeared with a dead squirrel stating the roof was infested.  He demanded £300!

. Use reputable traders who are members of the KCC Trading Standards approved trader scheme, run in partnership with Checkatrade.

. Ask for quotes in writing and check that the tradesperson is from the company they say they are from.

. Ring at least three traders to get a feel for an average price for the job.

Call 101 to report any problems involving suspected rogue traders or call the Citizens Advice Consumer Services Consumer Direct on 03454 040506.

West Kent Neighbourhood Watch Scheme's magazine, Watch Out is now available. Click here to view

Kent Police will be holding their 5th Open Day at Kent Police HQ, Sutton Road , Maidstone, celebrating 160 year of Policing in Kent on Sunday 2nd July 2017, all are welcome.

Jasmine Pay, is the new PCSO covering West and East Farleigh, she would like to attend village events such as markets, fairs, coffee mornings etc. Her email address is jasmine.pay@kent.pnn.police.uk.