| Police are warning the public to be alert to a recent scam where people are approached by fake police officers and encouraged to take part in an undercover operation
Since November last year, Leicestershire Police has received eight reports of a scam of this nature and are warning the public to prevent further people falling victim to this crime. The circumstances are that criminals are contacting members of the public, mainly by phone, claiming to be from the police or their bank’s fraud team. The criminal goes on to claim they are investigating a fraud at a local bank where bank staff are involved with issuing fake bank notes and asks the victim for their help. As part of the ongoing police investigation, the victim is asked to visit the same branch and withdraw a large amount of money from their own account, usually thousands of pounds, and hand this over to the police to be tested. The victim is assured that they will have the money returned to their bank account however this never happens and the criminal gets away with the cash. The victim is told not to tell the bank the reasons around withdrawing the large sum if questioned, suspecting the cashier is only asking as they are in on the scam. Paul Wenlock, from the Force’s economic crime unit, said: “This is a scam which seems to be increasing, not just in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland but elsewhere across the country. “The victim may feel that they are doing a public service by helping the police and for some it may seem exciting to part of an undercover operation, but this is not the case and it’s simply a thief’s way of enticing a victim so they can steal their money. “It’s important that those who are elderly or vulnerable who often fall prey to such type of scams are aware so we would encourage the public to share this message and help us prevent further victims of this crime. Paul Wenlock added: “Police or banks will never ask anyone to take part in a fraud operation or withdraw or transfer money. Please be wary of any contact made from someone claiming to be from the police asking you to transfer money. If you are suspicious or concerned, please hang up the phone and contact either police, Action Fraud or your local bank.” Anyone who has been contacted in similar circumstances or has any information about the offences is asked to contact 101. |
| Message Sent By Hellen Jackson (Police, EMOpSS Coms Officer, Leics, Notts, Lincs, Northants) |
Category Archives: Police
How to protect yourself from Phishing
Canvassers from Rutland County Council
| Will Ryan (Police, Enquiry Officer, Rutland) |
Please be aware that canvassers from Rutland County Council will be visiting properties in Rutland between 20 October 2017 and 13 November 2017.
They will all carry Rutland County Council ID Cards, and be issued with letters of authority signed by the Electoral Registration Officer (Helen Briggs).
If you have any doubts with regards to the person visiting, please call the Council on 01572 722577 to confirm their identity.
Here’s how to place an emergency call when you’re scared to speak
Although media have not received information of a threat in a specific location and do not wish to cause undue alarm, now seems like a useful time to remind people of the British police force’s Silent Solutions procedure.
The simple process allows a person to call police or other emergency services in circumstance where it may not be safe to talk out loud or make a noise.
Here’s how to place an emergency call when you’re scared to speak:
When you call 999, an operator asks which emergency service you require before rerouting the call to the police, ambulance service or fire brigade.
If a 999 caller doesn’t talk, the operator will ask them to cough or make another audible sound.
In certain situations, it may not be safe to make a noise – for example it could alert a potential attacker to your exact whereabouts.
Emergency services simply don’t have the resources to investigate every call made to 999 during which no sound is made.
However there’s a simple way of signalling that it’s a genuine emergency and you haven’t just accidentally pocket-dialled.
The procedure is called Silent Solution and it was created so people in an emergency can call the police in dangerous situations.
After you dial 999 and you’ve been unable to audibly signal to the operator, your call will be forwarded to an operating system.
If you’re in danger, dial 55 otherwise the call will be terminated.
Alternatively this Emergency SMS procedure allows you to silently text either police, paramedics, the fire brigade or coastguard to alert them to an urgent situation.
The ‘55’ Silent Solution protocol has been in place for over a decade, although police have recently issued a reminder as not many people know about the protocol.
A police spokesman said: ‘Please do not think that just because you dial 999 that police will attend.
‘We totally understand that sometimes people are unable or too afraid to talk, however it must be clear that we will not routinely attend a silent 999 call.
‘There must be some indication that the call has not been mis-dialled.’
UK Security Threat Level increased to Critical
UK Security Threat Level increased to Critical
On advice from the Joint Terrorist Analysis Centre, the UK government has raised the UK Security Threat Level to Critical (highest possible level), meaning an attack is ‘expected imminently’.
At East Midlands Ambulance Service we have plans in place in the event of a major incident and are taking extra precautions and actions in response to the raised threat level.
We will be asking visitors to our premises to show official identification so please ensure you bring yours with you if you are due to visit us in the near future.
Remain vigilant
The police service is urging the public to remain alert but not alarmed. Together with other blue-light services and our partners we are doing everything we can to help protect the security of our communities.
People are asked to be aware of and actively promote the national anti-terrorism campaign called ACT – Action Counters Terrorism – and speak to their families, friends and colleagues about it. See their website for details, and be aware of the Anti-Terrorist Hotline number 0800 789321.
In the extremely rare event of a firearms or terror attack the police have issued public guidance advising people to ‘Run, Hide and Tell’. You can read more about the Stay Safe campaign via this website.
Terrorists want to create distrust and fear. Communities defeat terrorism, which is why we must all maintain a strong relationship between the public and police. The police depend on information from the public, who can be their eyes and ears, in the efforts to keep us all safe.
Thank you for your continued support at this challenging time.
Richard Henderson
Chief Executive
Wing Community 
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