Hankelow — Police Messages

A warning about Bogus Caller crime

We have received a press release from Cheshire Constabulary warning about the risks of defrosting your car windscreen with the engine running but no-one in the driving seat.

Bogus Telephone Calls

I have today had a report from an Audlem resident who has received a phone call which was an attempt to defraud her.

The caller addressed her by her name and then began a fictitious tale about visa card purchases. The would be victim became suspicious straight away and ended the call, but then made a note of the the caller's number, which was 006456821450.

A quick 'Google' of this number revealed that it is being used by fraudsters on a large scale. The caller will try to obtain your credit / debit card details by telling a variety of stories about overpayments to your account or suspicious purchases. The calls appear to be coming from the Eastern Pacific region.

This is just a reminder that no genuine credit card company or bank will ever phone you and ask for your account details. Please be aware of this type of fraud and guard against falling victim to it.

A warning about Bogus Caller crime

We have received a press release from Cheshire Constabulary warning about recent bogus caller crimes.

Distraction Burglary

At approximately 11:00hrs on Thursday the 2nd of October an elderly resident of Audlem was the victim of a distraction burglay. The offender posed as an official and gained entry to the house, then made a search and took property, leaving the victim very distressed.

Please remember to use a door chain and to challenge all officials to produce proper identification. If you are still not completely satisfied that the caller is who they say they are then please ask them to call again after having first made an appointment. No genuine caller will object to these safeguards.

Precautions for the darker evenings

We have received a press release from Cheshire Constabulary giving advice on avoiding burglaries now that the darker evenings are upon us.

Distraction Burglary Warning

Over the last week there has been a spate of distraction burglaries within the Crewe and Nantwich area. An attempt was made yesterday in the Lightwood Green area and so I wanted to spread the word in order to make vulnerable people aware.

Typically a team will target the home of an elderly person, with one member calling at the front door and engaging the occupant in conversation whilst a second member goes around the back and gains entry. The story given at the front door can vary. In Nantwich the caller at the front door pretended that he was fitting a washing machine next door and he asked the occupant to check the water supply. Whilst she was doing this another man entered the property and searched through the entire house.

If you have an elderly relative then please make them aware, without unduly alarming them, of the additional risk at this time.

A Home Office leaflet giving advice about bogus callers is available.

If you have any concerns then please contact me, either by e-mail ken.maple@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or by leaving a message for me on the Nantwich voicemail system 0845 458 6378

Another DNA success

In June of this year a house in Woore Road, Audlem was burgled and a considerable amount of damage was caused by the burglars. At the end of September, DNA evidence from the burglary scene led to arrest of a Crewe man who has since been charged with the offence and has appeared at court.

This is another success for the crime scene investigators who earlier this year helped to solve vehicle crimes in the village using their skills.

White Van Update

Following recent reports of white van men up to no good in the village I have now received further information. Two people have reported seeing a van which has the letters CMS and a phone number on its back door in red letters.

Des Guerin, who runs a local business named Construction Management Services (CMS) is keen to point out that this vehicle is in no way associated with his company.

If you see the vehicle about then I'd be grateful if you would note the registration number and pass it on to me.

Mystery Tent

There is a field which lies between Tollgate Drive / Moorsfield Avenue and the canal, and there has been a tent pitched on this field for about the last month. The tent is black and contains a sleeping bag. My guess is that local youngsters have put it there and now can't be bothered to come and retrieve it.

Can anyone shed any light on the mystery?

White Van Men

Yesterday afternoon in Kettle Lane, Kinsey Heath, a householder was working at home when he was disturbed by two men whom he saw in the act of trying to remove a padlock from one of his outbuildings using bolt croppers. Upon realising that they had been seen, the men made off in what was described as a white Transit type van with writing on the side. The writing may have been blue in colour.

The van drove off towards the Newcastle Road and was not seen again.

In what is probably an unconnected incident another man in a white van tried a few days ago to fleece an elderly resident of the village. After quoting her £25 to lop a tree he then tried to intimidate her into paying £125 on completion of ten minutes work. Unfortunately for him he had picked on the wrong lady, and she was having none of it. When she threatened to phone the police he begrudgingly accepted his £25 and left.

Unfortunately we don't have the vehicle registration numbers for either of the vans, so I would ask that if you see anyone acting suspiciously, you note down the number and pass it on to me.