NEWS, EVENTS, FUNDING and VACANCIES
In and Around Winchester District
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Good news from Hampshire Police
· Jane Raymond, 48, of Firmstone Road in Winchester has been sentenced to 14 months in prison at Winchester Crown Court on Friday after she stole money from vulnerable adults with learning difficulties. Raymond admitted two counts of theft and was sentenced to 14 months in prison for each offence, which will be served concurrently.
Between 2008 and 2014 Raymond, who was at that time known as Jane Rogers, was employed by Mencap and subsequently the Affinity Trust as a support worker for vulnerable adults with learning difficulties in the Alton area. The court was told that she repeatedly stole money from the adults she was supporting by using their bank cards. Raymond withdrew money and then purchased items for herself. One victim, a 40 year-old man from Alton, had £13,467 taken from his account, which almost resulted in him being evicted from his house.
Following the sentencing DC Andy Spooner said: “Raymond was targeting people who relied on her for support. By taking advantage of vulnerable adults she abused her position of trust and showed total disregard for their welfare. I welcome the sentence which is a clear message to those that are tempted to commit this type of crime. Raymond’s victims will no doubt also have been given the closure that they need, now that she has received a prison sentence”.
Please visit our website for information on protecting yourself and friends against bank card fraud:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information/general
· Eight years after Georgina Edmonds was found dead at her home in Brambridge, Matthew Hamlen has been found guilty of her brutal murder. The 37-year-old of Camborne Close, Eastleigh was convicted by a jury following a six week trial at Winchester Crown Court. Mrs Edmonds, aged 77, was found murdered in her home on Kiln Lane, Brambridge, on January 11 2008. In 2010 Matthew Hamlen was charged with her murder but was found not guilty following a trial in January 2012.
In 2014 officers discovered new and compelling DNA evidence which linked Hamlen to the case, and following applications to the Court of Appeal, the acquittal was quashed and officers were able to charge Hamlen for a second time and bring him to re-trial.
Detective Superintendent, Dick Pearson, said: “Throughout this entire investigation we have been absolutely determined to prove, beyond doubt, who committed this horrific crime. After the discovery of new evidence and presenting it to the Court of Appeal we were able to try Hamlen again for the murder of Georgina Edmonds. Today, the jury’s verdict was that he was guilty of that brutal crime. The whole prosecution team were determined to find justice for Georgina and today that has been achieved.”
Non-dwelling burglaries – Hursley
Between Tuesday 16/02/16 and Wednesday 17/02/16, entry was gained to 2 sheds and a garage in Hursley. The unknown offenders have forced entry to a garage on Main Road and have stolen various items including chainsaws. (crime reference 44160069685).
Entry has also been gained to a shed on Main Road and a Trek mountain bike has been stolen. (crime reference 44160069950).
A high value Stanton Sherpa mountain bike has been stolen from a shed on Collins Lane. (crime reference 44160069743).
The Police are appealing for witnesses. Did you see or hear anyone acting in a suspicious manner? If so, please phone 101, quoting the crime reference numbers. Please click on the link for up-to-date crime prevention advice from the Hampshire Constabulary web page: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/internet/advice-and-information
Hampshire Police Advice issued after cash scam
A 92-year-old gentleman was persuaded to hand over cash in a recent scam. The incident took place in the Sainsbury’s car park in Farlington, Portsmouth, between 11.30am and midday on Tuesday, February 16. The victim was sat in his car when he was approached by a younger man who claimed he needed cash to buy diesel. The victim was persuaded to leave his vehicle and sit in the younger man’s car.The younger man then took money from the victim’s wallet, before driving him to the cash machine at the supermarket where the victim withdrew more money.
In total, the younger man took £70 from the victim before handing him six boxes containing watches, which he claimed would be worth more than the money the victim had handed over. The younger man is described as white, around 5ft 8ins tall, with a round face and short hair. He spoke with a Spanish accent. He was smartly dressed and clean shaven.
PC Hayley McMillan said: “Anyone who saw this young man and the dark saloon car around this time is asked to contact police as soon as possible. I would also remind people that they should not hand over money to people who claim they need immediate financial help, or get into a stranger’s car in order to go to a cash machine to withdraw money. If a stranger does approach them and asks for money or offers to drive them to a cash machine, they should refuse. If the stranger persists, they should go to the nearest shop and ask for assistance and for the police to be called.”
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call 101, quoting 44160068730. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
Appeal for Information – Bishops Waltham
In the early hours of the 23rd February 2016, a significant amount of damage has been caused to the telephone box on the corner of The Avenue, Bishops Waltham.
Did you witness this? Or do you have any information regarding this incident, if so Please call 101 quoting the reference number 44160077105.
Many Thanks, PCSO 13455 Sarah McCulloch
Suspicious vehicle – Corhampton
On 24/02/2016 at around 20:15 hours, a vehicle was sighted next to an empty field in Corhampton, Winchester. The vehicle, a blue Land Rover Discovery X773*** had a male driver in it who stated that his passenger had lost their dogs and was looking for them.
A short time later, another male appeared wearing camouflage gear and had two coursing style long dogs with him.
Please report any suspicious sightings of this vehicle to Police on 101.
Warning from Action Fraud
Action Fraud has been receiving reports of an advanced fee fraud whereby suspects phone a member of the public and claim to be calling on behalf of the UK (or British) Government Grant Department.They go on to state that the individual has won a Good Citizen Award – of typically £8,000 – and that the grant can be released for a fee (of around £210). Fortunately, very few members of the public have lost any money as a result of this scam, but have reported to Action Fraud in order to help build a picture of this fraud and protect others from falling victim to it.
Protect yourself:
• There is no genuine ‘Good Citizen Award’ scheme in the UK that operates by cold calling “winners” and asking for an upfront fee to release a grant.
• If you receive a call that claims to represent such a scheme, it is a scam. End the phone call – do not give out any personal or financial data.
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk”
For advice on scams or to report a matter to Trading Standards, contact our partners at the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
Crimestoppers update from PC Simon Wright
Ladies and Gentlemen
I attach my Crimestoppers copy for this month, together with a ‘What is Crimestoppers?’ piece in case that is of use.
Sadly this is the last Crimestoppers copy you will receive. At Easter I shall retire from the Hampshire Constabulary, so that makes it a bit difficult to continue to send you monthly updates! Due to the various changes within the Police service, my Crimestoppers Co-ordinator role actually ceased to exist in April 2015 however I continued to unofficially oversee Crimestoppers and write the monthly updates and articles for the past year. That does mean though that once I wobble off into the sunset, I will not be replaced.
Thank you for all your help and support over the years. The contribution you have made has assisted to make Hampshire Crimestoppers one of the most successful regions in the country, both with the number of Crimestoppers reports we get, and the results we achieve with that information.
Very best wishes
Simon
PC 741 Simon Wright
24/7 Intelligence Team
Counterfeit currency
Please be aware that Police have received recent reports of counterfeit currency being passed as payment. £5, £20 and £50 notes. Please check notes carefully. There are a number of preventative measures that you can take to ensure that notes are legitimate, eg UV lights and pens. If you have any concerns please contact 101.
Visit here for information on Crimestoppers
Visit here for the Crimestoppers Hampshire Report from PC Simon Wright
IMPORTANT!
UP TO 73 A DAY –
HOW WILL THIS AFFECT YOUR VILLAGE?
Meeting to discuss Sparsholt College Anaerobic Digester
In Sparsholt Memorial Hall, Saturday 5th March, 10am
Come along and have your say!
Hampshire Trading Standards Service would like residents to be alert to a telephone scam that has recently been reported in the Farnborough area.
The scam starts with a phone call from a male purporting to be ‘Sgt Harris’ from Hammersmith Police. ‘Harris’ advises the resident that they have detained a member of bank staff under suspicion of fraudulent activity on the residents bank account.
‘Harris’ then askes the resident to call 161 (or 061) satisfy themselves that he is a genuine caller. The resident then hangs up, but ‘Harris’ then keeps the telephone line open. When the resident calls 161 or 061 an accomplice answers and confirms ‘Harris’ is a genuine caller.
The resident is then advised to call their bank. Again the line is left open by the accomplice, but the resident thinks they have started a new call. The person answering this time claims to be from the bank, and after taking some security details and a mobile phone number, tells the resident that a large amount of money has been removed from their account, and put back in as counterfeit money. This money needs to be withdrawn from the account and handed to the Police at an arranged contact point.
Further calls are made to the residents mobile phone number to encourage them to get the money.
It should be noted that there are variations on this scam and the information is not restricted to the above. Although reports have come in from the Farnborough area, there is no reason to suspect that this may not be a countywide issue.
Trading Standards would advise consumers never to give personal details to any person who has called them on the telephone, no matter who they say they are. The Police will never ask a resident to withdraw money.
If any resident is contacted by the Police, and they are suspicious, best advise is to get a collar number from the caller. Using a different phone, or after 20 minutes, call 101 and ask for the officer.
To report a scam or suspicious phone call, contact our partners at the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 05 06 07, or the Police on 101.
Hampshire County Council Trading Standards Service
Montgomery House Monarch Way
Winchester Hampshire SO22 5PW
Tel: 01962 833620
Fax: 01962 833698
E-mail: doorstep.crime@hants.gov.uk
Train to be a volunteer befriender this spring
“We need volunteers!” That’s the message from local charity, Friends of the Family, who have just launched their latest campaign to recruit volunteer befrienders for the 5s to 13s Project.
The Project supports vulnerable children and families living across the Winchester district through the provision of a trained volunteer befriender who visits a family for a two hour period each week. Befrienders spend quality time with a focus child and undertake activities both inside the home and outdoors.
Friends of the Family will be running its next free training course over two days in April and local men and women, aged 23+, are encouraged to get in touch to find out more about this rewarding voluntary role.
5s to 13s Project Leader Sam Hunt said: “If you’d like to train to become a volunteer befriender and join likeminded people on our next training course then please get in touch. Just two hours a week of your time can make an incredible difference to a child and their family.”
To apply, or find out more, please email volunteer@fotfwinchester.org or call Lisa Travers, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01962 864466.
Parish Connect – December 2015
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The Royal Society of Arts is collaborating with the Heritage Lottery Fund to better understand the links between heritage and identity at the local scale. The RSA has analysed over 100 datasets to produce a Heritage Index to help people understand local heritage assets and activities, and access relevant data through a single site. Data ranges from the length of canals and size of protected wildlife sites, through to the number of historic local businesses and the proportion of residents visiting museums and archives.
The Index is designed to stimulate debate about what is valued from the past, and how that influences the identity of its current residents. This can help a place achieve its aspirations to grow and prosper, socially and economically.
Rachel Bebb is a ‘Heritage Ambassador’ for Hampshire, one of a number of Fellows of the RSA who have an interest in heritage and the local community. If you would like to contribute to the conversation please find out more by visiting this link to the RSA’s website and contact Rachel with your contributions directly.
RSA website
Rachel Bebb
rachel@gardengallery.uk.com
01794 301144
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