Tackling fraud and doorstop scammers

Every year, the British public loses billions of pounds to fraudsters. With scams ranging from the simplest confidence trick to the most sophisticated high-tech online fraud, it pays to keep up to date with the latest news and advice.

During the last few months we have seen an increase in the reporting of scams, particularly those in your area of persons acting as housing repair, or garden maintenance tradespersons.

Whilst some individuals may appear genuine, sadly not everyone is who they say they are, during the last few months officers for your ward have conducted a number of house to house leaflet drops in affected roads, as well as visiting and raising awareness of scams in our more vulnerable or elderly properties across the area.

Officers have also been delivering scam and fraud awareness sessions at local community hubs and residential homes throughout the summer months, these talks will continue into the Autumn.

We also continue to work closely with local partners to help spread the word around recent scams and frauds in the area, as well as continue to respond and support victims who have reported via our Operation Signature portal.

Operation Signature is the force campaign to identify and support vulnerable victims of fraud.

Operation Downsway.

Our yearly campaign to address community concerns around road and driving related offences that fall into the fatal 5 driving offences.

Including targeted patrols, education and enforcement activities across the district throughout the Summer months, focused on targeting excess speed in areas of Meads, including Beachy Head area, as well as targeting distracted driving, and drink/drug driving.

Continued work with partners, local authorities, including volunteer Community Speed Watch Groups to support activities and keep the roads of your towns and villages safe for all road users.

During the Summer months a number of additional patrols have been in place in areas reported, with work ongoing with local community speed watch groups to look at setting up more local groups to tackle excess speeding in the area.

In addition to a number of high visibility patrols and deployments across your area to identify and deter ASB driving, officers have also used powers available to them to issue a number of section 59 warnings to individuals causing both ASB driving; section 59's give officers the power to issue a warning and then seize any vehicle used in a manner causing alarm, distress, or annoyance, or in a careless/inconsiderate way.

Our response under Operation Downsway continues into the Autumn months, with dedicated road safety stop checks, enforcement days and educational visits to identify repeat offenders and to respond to community concerns in areas which have seen an increase in both ASB driving and excess speeding.