This report is from our Community Policing Team and covers progress made in dealing with the Community Council area priorities during January 2021.
COVID 19 – UPDATE
From Tuesday 5 January, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a Temporary Lockdown, with new guidance to stay at home except for essential purposes.
The below link is a Scottish Government infographic on what is/is not permitted in the current Temporary lockdown.
Officers continue to respond to reports of any breaches in the regulations using the 4E’s principle, namely Engage, Explain Encourage and Enforce as a last resort.
Locally Police received a couple of calls this month where on Police enquiry no breach in the regulations were established.
Community Policing Priorities
Antisocial behaviour, Violence and Disorder:
Over the past month there has been a continued drop in anti-social behaviour calls, most likely down to the poorer weather and current lockdown restrictions in addition to Police patrols and engagement.
However officers are making enquiries into a smashed window at the Aberdeenshire Cricket Club which has occurred overnight from Friday 12th into Saturday 13th January. Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 101 quoting incident 1803 of the 14th January 2021.
On Saturday 30th January officers were called to reports of youths on the roof of a building near Woodbank House, North Deeside Road, Cults. The youths were traced, spoken to and details passed to our Early Intervention team.
Officers continue to patrol area’s known for anti-social behaviour.
Acquisitive Crime:
In the small hours of Monday 25th January, officers responded to reports of two males acting suspiciously on Great Western Road near Hammerfield Avenue, where it transpired items from motor vehicles had been stolen. Enquiries were made and a male was later arrested, charged and reported to the Courts regards this and a number of other acquisitive crimes in the neighbouring Community Council Wards. A positive line of enquiry is being followed in relation to the second male.
I would encourage all members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police immediately on 101 or 999 if an emergency, remembering to provide as much detail/descriptions of persons as possible.
Road Safety & Road Crime:
There were no incidents of note in relation to Road Safety and Road Crime.
We continue to work with partners in response to specific complaints in terms of road traffic offences and to make use of antisocial behaviour legislation. Residents in the areas affected by antisocial driving are encouraged to contact Police on 101 at the time, to report incidents and provide as much description as possible of the vehicle(s)/person(s) in order for us to take positive action.
Community Engagement & Reassurance
Phishing and Internet Shopping
What is Phishing?
Phishing is when criminals use fake e-mails or web links to acquire sensitive personal information, such as passwords, usernames, or bank account details. This is used to commit fraudulent or even criminal acts in your name, leaving you responsible for the consequences. Such emails and linked websites often appear genuine but are designed to trick people into entering personal details to access your identity, steal from your bank account or infect your computer with a virus which allows them to control your system.
What kind of things might indicate Phishing?
- When shopping online, make sure your web browser and internet security is up to date. Look for the padlock in the address line before you enter any card details.
- Be aware of seemingly genuine emails requesting to open attachments – if unsure or not expecting anything, do not open any documents. If in doubt contact the sending company over the phone by using genuine number
- Be aware of seemingly genuine e-mails advertising a win of some sort – these usually involve requesting the sending of money to ‘release’ the prize or requesting your bank details
- Be especially cautious of emails that try to upset you into acting quickly by threatening you with frightening information
- Do not click on links, download files or open attachments in emails from unknown senders. It is best to open attachments only when you are expecting them and know what they contain, even if you know the sender
- Never email personal or financial information, even if you are close with the recipient. You never know who may gain access to your email account, or to the person’s account to whom you are emailing
- Beware of links in emails that ask for personal information, even if the email appears to come from a company you do business with. Phishing web sites often copy the entire look of a legitimate web site, making it appear authentic. To be safe, call the legitimate company first to see if they really sent that email to you. After all, businesses should not request personal information to be sent via email
- Check your online accounts and bank statements regularly to ensure that no unauthorised transactions have been made
Another variation on this type of scam is known as Vishing, when you are contacted on the phone by someone claiming to be from your internet provider or bank for example. The same general rules apply.
- Don't ever give personal information like banking or credit cards over the phone to someone who has called you
- If you get a call from someone claiming to be you bank or credit card, hang up, and ring the number on the back of your credit card or your bank using a different phone from the one they called you on
- Do not divulge personal information over the phone unless you initiate the call
And yet another form of this type of crime is known as Smishing, which is when the source of the scam comes via text message. Text messages from unknown numbers should raise alarm bells, but often banks do text their customers for a variety of reasons. If you receive a text regarding your account details contact your bank using a number found on your bank statement, not the number provided in the text.
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Also available are the three following contact email addresses for the West End:
Contact Us
Please also remember you can communicate with us using any of the following:
101 – Non emergency
999 – Emergency
0800 555 111 - Crimestoppers
