· There are no specific figures available for June but Jon Heys advised that there has been a low level of crime. There has been damage reported – mainly graffiti and some schools have adopted a zero tolerance approach, with some pupils being reported directly to the Police. People may not realise that it costs thousands of pounds per year to have graffiti cleaned away. This crime has occurred more frequently in Otley than in Yeadon and Rawdon – using shoe cleaners seems to be the trend as this product dries within 24 hours and the only way to cover it is to repaint the walls.

· It was questioned whether we have the newer type of tags which operate like satellite navigation systems in this area – there has been a lot of work to try and get them implemented in this area.

· Jon Heys has been out with Trading standards on operations to identify and confront licensees who sell alcohol to underage persons – underage girls are paid to enter a bar and once they have been sold alcohol they return to the Police van and trading standards and the Police step in to confront the licensee. The ‘Check 21’ system is now being promoted as ID cards were not always reliable as proof of identity.

· There has been a lot of trouble recently on Yeadon High Street and Kirk Lane - smashed glass, vandalism to hanging baskets and plants, road signs, roadwork cones etc. – generally on a Friday and Saturday night. Police advise if you see such damage in action, call the Police and if someone is available they will attend.

· If you see anyone who is driving recklessly or displaying ‘road rage’, take a note of the car registration number. The Police will issue a warning first and then if the person is found recklessly driving again, they will have their car taken from them. Some vehicles driven recklessly may not even be legal if they have had modifications to enhance their road performance. Insurance companies must always be informed by the owner of the vehicle if any modifications have been made - many people do not realise this.

· If anyone has any information about drug dealing etc., you can ring Otley Police Station direct - 01943 858 071 / 858 035 .

have the kind of dramatic ring to it that makes it sound like something too far-fetched to happen to most of us, but a recent survey by Which? estimated that one in four people has fallen victim to it.

However, the term can apply to straightforward fraud such as criminals intercepting new cheque books or credit cards in the post and using them to go on a spending spree – hence the frightening statistics. Criminals may spend thousands of pounds using intercepted cheque books and credit cards before the identity fraud is discovered.

A more organised kind of Identity Fraud could involve someone using personal details, such as your name, address and ‘security’ information – your place of birth or mother’s maiden name, for example, to obtain cash, goods or services. And at the really scary end of the phenomenon, fraudsters have more serious crimes in mind. A chilling example was in October 2002, when a senior hospital consultant in Humberside was charged with keeping paedophile images after FBI agents linked his computer and credit-card details to child pornography sites in the US. A fraudster had stolen his credit-card details and accessed the sites in his name. It took him 18 months to clear his name in court.

In March this year, two men were jailed after trying to use the identity of Ricky Gervais, the star of the BBC sitcom The Office, to swindle nearly £200,000 from his bank accounts to spend on gold bullion.

As yet, there’s no specific UK legal definition of identity fraud – or “identity theft” as it’s sometimes called.

Who is at risk? Anyone, is the short answer. If you have a bank account or a reliable credit record linked to your address, fraudsters who get hold of personal information could use it to apply for the same accounts as you might:

Store cards, credit-cards, loans, mail-order shopping. It’s by no means unknown for criminals to go through bins in affluent areas to obtain these details. Of course, this only gives them a statistically better chance of obtaining higher levels of credit.

Wherever you live, such details could be preyed upon and it’s amazing what some people casually throw away:

bank and credit-card statements; insurance policy details; even unsolicited letters “pre-approving” a new credit-card could be used, especially if the fraudster manages to redirect new mail from your address. Other fraudsters have sent e-mails infected with software “viruses”. If a link on the e-mail is opened, the virus can look for personal files – such as letters to your bank – stored on computer hard drives, and send them back to the fraudsters. Others might obtain personal account information – by e-mail or phone – from you by claiming to be from your bank or some official body.

· Shred any papers containing personal details - e.g. bank/credit-card statements, till receipts (those paid by card contain useful details for fraudsters), cash machine receipts, anything with your name and address on it.

These are schemes designed to specifically increase the risk of a stolen car being spotted and stopped by the Police.

Vehicle watch stickers in a car mean that generally speaking this vehicle is not normally out on the road between midnight and 0500hrs. If it is, then there is a chance that the vehicle will be stopped by the Police and the driver questioned closely as to the ownership -.an obvious deterrent to would-be thieves.

A vehicle displaying ‘25’ stickers means that this vehicle is normally driven by someone over the age of 25 and should someone of an obviously younger age be seen driving the vehicle, the police may stop it and question the driver closely as to the ownership.

All these stickers and any leaflets on crime prevention can be obtained from your local police station or the crime Prevention Officers.

Here is a genuine story about a computer scam – “My husband and I were caught out by a computer scam. We’d been bothered by ‘pop-ups’ on our computer. When an icon appeared on our computer we clicked on the ‘X’ to close it. It disappeared but would reappear at increasingly frequent intervals. Three days later, we had a call from our telephone supplier saying that they’d noticed an increased use of 090 numbers and we now owed them £330. We had to pay it, but we now have a block on 090 and international calls. The independent watchdog, ICSTIS advised us to write to the (Italian) firm but, so far, we haven’t heard back from it. ICSTIS is suing this firm and we may get our money back, but it just goes to show how easy it is to be scammed.”

_________________________

NEWS LETTER – APRIL 2006

BE SAFE NOT SORRY

Spring – time to have your lawnmower serviced – so check it out and make sure it’s POSTCODED. The good thing about lawnmowers is we can scratch the POSTCODE on or use an etching tool. These marks are very hard to remove and will make it hard to resell.

Before any gardening please make sure any lawnmower, chainsaw, leaf blowers etc. are well marked. Add up the value of your gardening tools and consider where you keep them. Make sure your shed/garage locks/bolts etc. are good and strong; if not, replace them and also think about a shed/garage alarm.

YARN have some etching and marking kits which can be loaned to members via their Co-ordinator. Alternatively, paint the postcode on.

SHED THOSE UNWANTED

BURGLARIES – DON’T BE A VICTIM!

· Use a mortis lock on your shed or alternatively use padlocks or lockable bolts. Look for or ask for a hasp or staple-style latch.

· Ensure your padlock is the closed shackle style and appropriate size to prevent levering. Don’t rely on the ‘Christmas Cracker’ padlock.

· Windows should ideally be secured by window locks or if they are not required cover them externally with ply boards using mushroom headed bolts.

· If you need the light, secure chicken wire or a heavy metal mesh frame inside the window.

· Consider getting the shed or garage wired into the house alarm or use a battery alarm – panic-style alarms are very useful.

· Mark your property. Permanent UV pens are okay if the area or tool is clean, but physical marking, stamping or painting is better for grubbier environments.

· Make sure ladders are secured to the frame of the building with a bike lock or similar.

· Garage doors should be lockable or secured by padlocks.

· For up-and-over doors, consider drilling a hole in the top channel above the wheels and insert a padlock in the hole. You could even do this on both channels for double the protection.

· For garage doors with no internal exit, fix an eyelet into the ground outside and fit a bracket to the bottom of the door. Secure this with a padlock.

To advertise in this News Letter Tel: 0113 2506502

Quarter Column £20

Reaching 4000 Households.

IDENTITY THEFT

Shred any paper work bearing private details and you will help reduce identity theft.

KEEPING THE CROOKS AT BAY

POLICE and fraud experts say there are warning signs to watch out for……………..

· Be wary if bank or credit card statements don’t arrive and other

mail seems to be missing.

· Check that credit card statements do not include purchases you cannot identify.

· Be suspicious if you receive a phone call or letter about credit, approved or refused, that you did not apply for.

· Do not give any personal information over the phone.

· Only give credit card details over the internet if you are sure the sites are secure.

· Destroy all junk mail with your name and address on it, preferably with a shredder.

· Report all stolen cheques or cards and lost documents such as passports. Ask for a new pin number.

· Contact the Post Office if you suspect mail theft or that your post has been falsely redirected from your address.

· Apply periodically for your credit reference file – it costs only £2 – from one of the three leading agencies: Equifax (0870 0100583), Experian (0870 241 6212) or Call Credit (0870 060 1414).

FINES BLITZ

Fine defaulters in Leeds were targeted in a fines blitz when Police joined forces with Court Enforcement Officers.

The operation led to 90 outstanding warrants being executed and 53 people being arrested.

The multi-agency operation forms part of the national ‘Operation Payback’ campaign, which is being undertaken by every Magistrates’ Court service in the country.

Anyone refusing to pay a fine is arrested and presented before the courts where continuing failure to comply with the fines can lead to imprisonment.

Said Sergeant Mark Eilbeck, ”This campaign sends a strong message to offenders that we are serious about enforcing court decisions. It is important for the public to have confidence in the criminal justice system, knowing that those who break the law will be held accountable.”

(Your Police)

CAR SALES

Be very careful when agreeing to meet a potential buyer if you are selling your car. Recently there have been instances where bogus purchasers have stolen cars by force or deception. If you agree to meet someone to show them your car, make it on your terms and you should not be caught out by experienced hagglers, time wasters or criminals.

· When you meet a potential buyer, ensure someone accompanies you and make it somewhere very public preferably where there is on site security, for example a supermarket car park during opening hours.

· Test drives – Never let the buyer

go out alone, they may not come back. They may leave their car key as security, but how can you be sure it is not stolen? Also check they have adequate insurance cover, otherwise you could be liable for any accidents they may have.

· NEVER leave the keys in the ignition when swapping seats. Thieves may try to engineer such situations, so you should be especially aware.

· Handling the money – if you are paid in cash, as long as you look out for forgeries, and make sure you count it all out, this should be fine. Remember to bank it safely, as soon as possible after the transaction. If you feel unsure, you could take the buyer to the bank and have them give you the cash there. You can safely deposit it, and the cashier will ensure there are no forgeries.

· Cheques are a little more trouble. NEVER let the car go before a cheque has been cleared through your account, even if the buyer is desperate to get hold of your car. Why the rush? If their genuine, they will not mind waiting a few days – or coming back with cash.

· If possible ask the buyer to give you a bank or building society draft; it is the best way to ensure you receive your money safely. This is as good as cash, as they can only be issued if the buyer has enough money in their account. There are forgeries however, so be vigilant. Again, don’t let the car go until the money has cleared into your account.

· If you have not already done so, ask the buyer for ID with an address and landline telephone number. At least if something goes wrong, you will know where to find them. If they are reluctant to give this information, you should be wary.

· Finally, write a receipt for both you and the buyer, stating that the car is being sold.

POLICE TRY TO FIX PLATE PROBLEM

Police in Bradford have launched a new initiative intended to combat the increasing incidence of vehicle registration plate theft.

The idea, launched on Thursday 19January in Bradford, is a simple one, but police hope it will make a real difference. The solution being introduced is to refit car number plates using special screws. Unlike normal number plate screws which can be undone with a standard screwdriver, the new ones require a special key. Several follow-up events are planned to supplement the progress made at the initial launch.

The launch gave attending motorists the chance to have the new fixings fitted free on the day by the police. The Bradford north Crime Reduction Bus was also there to offer members of the public information and advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle crime.

The scheme is the latest in a long line of pro-active initiatives by west Yorkshire Police to fight vehicle crime across the region. On average, two registration plates are stolen from Bradford North area vehicles every day.

Neighbourhood Policemen

And Team - PC John Heys and PC Joe Westerman.

01943 858 035

Otley Police Station

01943 858071

Neighbourhood Watch Liaison Officer – Peter Krushniak

0113 2413441

Leeds Victim Support

0113 395 1260

Leeds Womens Aid

0113 2460401

Noise Nuisance Team

(9am – 5pm) 0113 247 6026

Abandoned vehicles

0113 247 5000

· The YARN Committee wish to thank: Royal Mail and The Dragons Health Club.

· YARN Committee 2006

The next meeting of YARN is Monday 24^th April at the Dragons Health Club, Yeadon.

Noise Nuisance Team

(9am – 5pm) 0113 247 6026

Abandoned vehicles

0113 247 5000

Rubbish Removal

0113 247 7477

To advertise in this News Letter

Tel: 0113 2506502. Quarter Column £20. Reaching 4000 Households.

The YARN Committee wish to thank:

· Royal Mail- For delivering the News Letter.

· The Dragon Health Club- For allowing YARN the use of their facilities for the YARN monthly meetings.

· YARN committee 2006

The Association of Leeds North Neighbourhood Watches

YEADON RAWDON

Affiliated to the National Neighbourhood Watch Association

NEWS LETTER – OCTOBER 2006

July 2006