Police Take Action on Speeding Drivers
Wiltshire Police are taking action against speeding as part of a national campaign led by the National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC).
Excess speed is one of the fatal four factors that increase the risk of road users being significantly injured or killed if involved in a road traffic collision.
The other fatal four offences include drink-driving, driving whilst using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.
Exceeding the speed limit makes it harder for a vehicle to stop safely and reduces the driver’s reaction time.
Inspector Mark Freeman, from the Road Policing Team, said: “We know that Speeding is one of the causations of fatal and serious injury collisions.
“Nationally around 1700 people are killed on the nation’s roads each year, and here in Wiltshire that figure is around 30 people per year.
“Across Wiltshire we have a mixture of rural and busy road networks. The specified speed limits on these roads are to help safeguard drivers, passengers, pedestrians and other road users, who all want to travel safely.
“In the last 18 months during the pandemic and in periods of lockdown we have seen examples of people doing dangerous speeds on our roads, thinking that the quieter times meant it was safe to exceed the speed limit.
“Please think before you speed. It is never acceptable, it will only save a matter of minutes, and it places the driver and others a risk.
“You may end up with a prosecution or the consequences could be much worse.”
During the campaign which ends on Sunday 8 August, officers will be speaking to drivers to highlight the risks of speeding, informing them of the consequences that driving above the speed limit can have and enforcing the law.
Inspector Freeman added: “I know that many members of the public share our concerns about speeding. These can be reported. If you witness speeding taking place and it is ongoing call 999, but only if it is safe to do so.
“You can also report online. Not all these reports will end in a conviction, but it does help us to build a picture of the activity on our roads and identify those vehicles regularly disregarding the speed limits.”
Acting Police and Crime Commissioner, Kieran Kilgallen said: “Great strides have been made to improve the way roads in Wiltshire are policed.
“This has included funding a new traffic enforcement officer and camera equipment whilst ensuring that road safety is prioritised in the current police and crime plan and working with partners to ensure a joined-up approach.
“Enforcement is a small part of tackling road safety – education and engagement with our communities is right at the centre of what we are doing.
“We know that the majority of motorists are driving safely and responsibly, but feedback from the public has told us that this is something they are concerned about and proactive work like this provides reassurance for our communities and a deterrent to those who may be tempted to drive dangerously.”
Motorists caught speeding will face a fine, points on their licence or even court action.
To report urgent crime call 999, for everything else start online www.wiltshire.police.uk/.
Dangerous Items Banned – Offensive Weapons Act
Keeping items like knuckledusters, throwing stars and zombie knives in private is now illegal following changes to the law brought about by the Offensive Weapons Act 2019.
Other sections of the act include an updated definition of flick knives to reflect changes in weapon designs, and the banning of private possession of flick knives and gravity knives.
This is the first part of new legislation (introduced on 14 July), the rest of the act will commence later in the year, and will bring in important developments that will help police address the growing issue of online sales of knives. The new law will also place responsibility onto delivery firms to conduct age verification at point of delivery.
The introduction of such measures will provide us with further means to help deter young people from becoming involved in knife possession and knife crime.
Supt Phil Staynings said: “We welcome any legislation which will assist us in tackling violent crime, particularly where it can help stop young people getting hold of knives or other dangerous weapons.
“While the vast majority of young people in Swindon and the rest of Wiltshire are not involved in this type of activity, we know that it is something which our communities are concerned about and we are continuously working with partners to prevent the small minority becoming drawn into violent crime.”
Sling Your Hook Campaign Launched By Neighbourhood Watch To Tackle Scams
We are excited to tell you more about our SLING YOUR HOOK campaign<www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectfromfraud> running throughout July to help tackle scams
WHY ‘SLING YOUR HOOK’?
The campaign taps into the psychology that scammers use to hook people in, helping you stay one step ahead and protect yourself and your loved ones against the increasing variety of scams happening every day. We’ve identified the following five behaviours scammers commonly use:
* They imply they’re doing you a favour (reciprocity)
* They indicate everyone else is doing this (social proof)
* They say your only chance is to act now (urgency)
* They act like they’re similar to you, so you like them and want to please them (connection)
* They ask you to do one little thing which makes you do more (commitment).
We also know that often victims of scams report that in hindsight they felt something wasn’t quite right at the time. This campaign aims to raise awareness of the tactics scammers use and encourages people to ‘stop and think’ if something doesn’t FEEL, SEEM, LOOK or SOUND right. This allows them time to trust your gut instinct and help prevent becoming a scam victim.
“Everyone likes to feel special. But watch out! If a stranger is going out of their way for you, something fishy may be going on instead. Scammers like to offer one-off deals and favours. Don’t be afraid to tell them no.” John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network
How can you support this campaign?
* LEARN: Visit our scams website pages<www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectfromfraud> to learn more about common scams, preventing scams, reporting scams, supporting victims and a scams campaign toolkit
* SHARE: Follow us on our Facebook<www.facebook.com/ourwatch> / Twitter / Instagram<www.instagram.com/neighbourhood.watch.insta/> / LinkedIn<www.linkedin.com/company/neighbourhood-watch/> channels and share our posts
* JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Join us for an online talk (details below)
ONLINE TALKS
We are delivering a series of scams awareness online talks in partnership with the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU), the National Trading Standards Scams Team (NTSST) and Avast.
Anyone can attend, but we are now running waiting lists only for all the webinars apart from one! Last week we ran an online talk on ‘Exploring the psychology behind scams and how scammers are so effective at their crimes’. It was so popular we have decided to re-run it on 27th July, 5pm. Click here to book your place.<www.ourwatch.org.uk/webinars> Please note – this event will not be recorded.
Domestic Abuse – Voice of The Abuser
“It saved my marriage and my family life!” Those are the words of Simon (not his real name) who has been receiving help from the domestic abuse support charity Splitz Support Service, after physically abusing his wife.
Wiltshire Police’s domestic abuse awareness campaign, which we are currently running with support from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Wiltshire Council, Swindon Borough Council, Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SWA) and Splitz Support Service, focuses on the abuser and what help is available to them as well as their victims.
Simon, who lives in Wiltshire with his wife and two children, first noticed his destructive behaviour towards his wife after his children were born.
He said: “Looking back, I can now see that I was quite passive aggressive – often mentally abusive and controlling in my behaviour. That’s just the way I had always been.
“When my children were very young and I was working long hours I was always tired and grumpy and then one day, sitting in our car, I lost control and hit my wife in the stomach.
“A few weeks later it happened again – I grabbed her and went to throw her to the floor – luckily I caught her before she hit it. It was then I realised I needed help.
“My wife told me I had to move out of the home for a while but she supported me to seek help, and that’s when I contacted Splitz Support Service.”
Simon took part in the charity’s Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programme, teaching him how to cope with his emotions and change his behaviour. He is now working with the charity to help others who have abused and is also an advocate for the organisation – telling his story from his perspective to help other agencies understand the actions of perpetrators.
He adds: “I’ve been working with Splitz Support Service for a number of years now – they helped me change my behaviour and so now I am helping others to change theirs.
“Splitz saved my marriage – thanks to their help I am still with my wife and still have my children.
“It’s taken me a lot of time and effort to get to where I am now – but I now have coping mechanisms when I start getting stressed. I’ve not only learnt to cope with situations but I now behave differently thanks to the tools I have been given to help me change.”
Advice to others
He admits that a perpetrator has to know and understand the benefits of changing and then want to change before they can – it’s the first step: “It’s a bit like being an alcoholic – you’ve got to understand that your behaviour isn’t normal or ok and that you’ve got a problem before you can get help.
“Hopefully, this latest campaign will help perpetrators recognise their behaviour is wrong and so will get help.”
Det Insp Helen Clarke said: “I want to thank Simon for his honesty and admitting when he needed help.
“Domestic abuse affects both sides of a relationship – the victim and the perpetrator. We want to be able to support both.
“If you are the abuser in the relationship, consider your actions and please seek help.
“If you are the victim, please remember help is available to stop this abuse from continuing.”
Claire Marshall, Splitz Support Service CEO, said: “It takes a lot of courage to speak out and say, I was that person, I did abuse my partner. It takes even more courage to seek help and do the work to understand why those behaviours came about and commit to positive change. By talking about his experience, Simon is helping more people understand that support is available, and if participants are willing to change, it can and does work.
“The Perpetrator Behaviour Programme that he took part in is an important part of the work of Splitz Support Service. We support thousands of people dealing with domestic abuse and sexual violence and we also have programmes which work to address the reasons for abuse in the first place, helping to support people and families to have safe, healthy relationships in future.
“Through his openness, Simon is helping more people to understand their behaviour and to seek help. More importantly he is building a great new future for him and his family.”
Martin Parker, OPCC Commissioning Manager for criminal justice and re-offending, said: “Specialist perpetrator change programmes can be life-changing for victims, offenders and children in the home.
“Simon’s story highlights the positive impact of these programmes and the role they play in working with perpetrators to change their behaviour and prevent further instances of abuse from happening.
“It shouldn’t be down to victims to do all the hard work to keep themselves safe and for too long the onus has been on victims of domestic abuse to escape their abusers.
“We need to continue refocusing the conversation and put the responsibility to change firmly in the hands of the abuser.”
Help is at hand
Those with concerns about domestic abuse are encouraged to contact police on 101, via our website or 999 in an emergency.
Alternatively, people in Wiltshire (outside of Swindon) who want to come forward for support can contact Splitz on 01225 775 776 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
SWA is available 24/7 for Swindon on 01793 610610 and out of hours for the rest of
Wiltshire.
There is also the Wiltshire Emergency Duty Service which is
available on 0300 456 0100 – again out of hours.
For general support, the 24/7 national Domestic Abuse helpline is available 0808
2000 247.
Shoppers Beware – Mobile Phone Deals Could Be A Scam
People looking for a new mobile phone are being warned of a scam where fraudsters are offering deals which don’t exist.
We have been alerted by our colleagues at the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) that there is a current ongoing fraud where consumers are being cold called by individuals impersonating staff of legitimate mobile network operators and suppliers.
Victims are offered early handset upgrades, or new contracts, at significant discounts.
Once customers have been convinced that the deals are genuine and agree to proceed, suspects then ask for their online mobile account credentials, including log-ins, address and bank account details.
Suspects then place orders with genuine companies on behalf of victims, however select a different handset to that requested and have it shipped to the customer’s address.
Upon receipt, suspects assure victims that this has been an error and instruct them to ‘return’ the handset to a different address not affiliated to the mobile company.
These addresses are usually residential. Upon intercepting the ‘returned’ handsets, the suspects cease contact and victims find themselves stuck with no phone and liable for the entirety of a new contract taken out in their name.
A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: “We want people to be extra careful when buying a new phone or upgrading their contract.
“If you’re unsure that the person calling you is an official representative of the company they claim to be from, hang up and do not reveal any personal information.
“It’s better to check and be certain rather than fall foul of a fraud.
“There are a number of checks you can make to reduce the chances of being scammed.”
• Only contact your mobile network provider on a number you know to be correct. For example, 191 for Vodafone customers, 150 for EE customers, 333 for Three customers, 202 for O2 customers, 4455 for Tesco Mobile, 789 for Virgin Mobile and 150 for Sky Mobile.
• If you receive a device that you did not order or expect, contact the genuine sender immediately. The details for this will be within the parcel.
• NEVER post a device directly to a given address. All genuine Mobile Network Operators would send out a jiffy bag for you to return without you incurring additional cost.
• If you’re unsure that the person calling you is an official representative of the company they claim to be from, hang up and do not reveal any personal information.
If you have been a victim of fraud or cyber crime, report it to Actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
