Important-Help defeat Bank Scams
If you get a call that seems off, stop, hang up, and dial 159. It’s
a safe and direct way to connect with your bank when you’re most at
risk of being scammed. It’s simple, easy to remember, and can’t be
faked so 159 will never call you.
The attached has some useful information and a link to the Stop
Scams UK website.
Attachments:
Burglary at Court Farm Close,
Winsham-17th March-BE EXTRA VIGILANT
Location: Court Farm Close, Winsham
Date/Time: Between 00:30 and 06:00 on Monday 17 March
We are making residents aware of a burglary that took place in the
early hours of 17 March on Court Farm Close.
Unknown offender(s) accessed the rear door of a detached two storey
home and forced entry by snapping the lock. Once inside, they
carried out a tidy search of the utility room, kitchen, and lounge.
A metal key safe/cupboard and a metal tin were removed from inside
the property and later found discarded along a side path.
• Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, especially
overnight.
• Consider fitting anti snap Euro cylinder locks to external doors.
• Keep valuables and keys out of sight.
• Make sure CCTV and security lighting are working where fitted.
• Report any suspicious activity, people, or vehicles in the area.
Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on 101
quoting reference number: 5226073198 stating NHW. Or call
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thank you for your support.
10-02-2026
Counterfeit £20 notes circulating-Be
vigilant
We are urging residents and businesses to be vigilant following
reports counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation in Taunton.
Officers have received reports the counterfeit notes have been used
in separate transactions at two outlets and are now issuing advice
on how to spot them.
The first incident was reported at a filling station on Priory
Bridge Road at around 7.30pm on Thursday 29 January and at a retail
outlet in East Street at around 10.35am on Thursday 5 March.
Similar incidents have occurred in Bristol and South
Gloucestershire, and we’ve also received reports counterfeit notes
have been used to purchase items which have been advertised for sale
on social media selling sites.
PC Luke Elliot, officer in the case, said: “We are aware a small
number of counterfeit notes have entered circulation, and we want to
warn businesses and the public to remain vigilant and follow our
advice to prevent more people becoming victims of fraud.
“A full and thorough investigation into how these notes have entered
circulation is being carried out, and we are issuing advice so
people can be confident they’re accepting genuine payments for goods
and services they are providing.”
If cash transactions are necessary, please follow the advice in the
attached PDF.
Attachments:
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Knowle St Giles, Chard
Date/Time: Between 11:30pm on the 14th and 7:10am on the
15th
Entry Method: Via gateway; store entered without force
Items Stolen: Copper cylinders, brass, and scrap metal
A garage/store in Knowle St Giles, Chard was unlawfully
entered sometime between 11:30pm on the 14th and 7:10am on
the 15th. Offender(s) accessed the property through a
gateway and then gained entry to the store without using
force.
Once inside, a quantity of copper cylinders, brass, and
other scrap metal was stolen.
Please remain vigilant and secure outbuildings, workshops,
and access points where possible.
Any information, CCTV images, please contact the Police on
101 quoting reference number: 5226043397 stating NHW. Or
call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Thank you for your
support.
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Don’t turn your home into a gold mine. Burglars are
targeting households for gold, jewellery, cash and even
stealing whole safes.
Do what you can to make your home a harder target:
Please see the attached advice.
Attachments:
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Please find attached this month’s Cyber newsletter,
focusing on the topic of AI and online safety, ahead of
Safer Internet Day on February 10th.
AI is increasingly becoming part of everyday life, but it is
also being used by criminals to make scams more convincing
and harder to spot. From realistic scam emails and text
messages to voice cloning and fake images, AI-enabled
cybercrime and fraud can affect anyone. This alert aims to
raise awareness of how AI is being misused online and to
share simple steps NHW coordinators can pass on to help keep
their communities safe.
Attachments:
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We have received
reports of rogue traders
approaching residents in
Crewkerne and
surrounding areas.
Please take this
opportunity to remind
everyone:
How to Spot Rogue
Traders
• Unsolicited
doorstep offers:
Legitimate traders
rarely knock on doors
offering urgent repairs.
• Pressure
tactics: Claims like
“I’m only in your area
today” or “your roof is
dangerous” are red
flags.
• No written
quote: Always insist on
a detailed, written
quote before agreeing to
work.
• Cash-only or
upfront payment: Avoid
paying in full before
work starts; reputable
traders accept secure
payment methods.
• No credentials
or ID: Genuine
professionals will show
ID and proof of
qualifications.
•
Too-good-to-be-true
deals: Extremely low
prices or “special
offers” often indicate a
scam.
Tips to Avoid
Rogue Trader Scams
1. Get multiple
quotes – Compare at
least three written
estimates.
2. Check reviews
and references – Use
trusted directories like
Checkatrade or TrustMark.
3. Verify
credentials – Ensure
they are licensed and
insured.
4. Never make snap
decisions – Take time to
consult family or
neighbours.
5. Avoid cash
payments – Use traceable
payment methods.
6. Don’t let
anyone pressure you – If
they refuse to leave,
call 999.
Reporting Rogue
Traders in Somerset
• If they are on
your property now or you
feel threatened: Call
999 immediately.
• Suspicious
activity or scams: Call
101 or report online via
Avon & Somerset Police.
• Consumer
complaints: Contact
Citizens Advice Consumer
Service (0808 223 1133)
– they will forward
details to Trading
Standards.
• Report Fraud
(Formerly Action Fraud):
Report financial scams
at Contact us - Report
Fraud
Attachments:
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We’ve received
reports from areas including Weston-Super-Mare, Bath and
Bristol, where items including laptops, game consoles and
mobile phones have been advertised for sale on Facebook
Marketplace and upon collection of the item, the buyer pays,
often hundreds of pounds, with counterfeit currency which is
sadly worthless.
Please see the
attached for more information.
Attachments:
counterfeit-cash-fraud.pdf
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In an effort to
make it easier for the public to report rural and wildlife
crime, we are excited to announce the launch of our new
online reporting form.
This initiative is
designed to streamline the process of reporting crime,
making it more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly for
everyone.
The new forms
provide clear guidance on which type of crime to report and
the appropriate form to use.
Please see the
attached for more information.
Attachments:
rural-and-wildlife-crime.pdf
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Just received the attached guidance from Trading Standards
regarding Rogue Traders.
Do please take a moment to view the attached and share with
your members where possible.
Attachments:
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If a friend reaches out on social media,
our natural reaction is to help.
But is it a friend? Or a criminal, who
has compromised your friend’s account and now wants to
access your social media or email account - and your
valuable data?
If you agree to help, you’ll likely be
sent a link to help the friend ‘recover’ their account. This
will take you to a cloned social media page controlled by
the criminal – so when you log in, you’re giving your login
details to them.
Once they have your login, they can hack
into your account using your credentials – giving them
access to your personal photos and messages, contact details
of your friends and family and private information.
This can be used to extort money, send
malicious links to your contacts or trick your family and
friends into sending them money.
Action Fraud, the National Fraud and
Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, has good advice on how to keep
hackers out of your email and social media accounts, how to
act fast if your account is hacked and how to report:
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/secureyouraccounts
Remember: always be wary of social media
messages that ask for your login details or authentication
codes - even if the message appears to be from someone you
know.
Attachments:
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Dear Coordinators,
Attached is an update on Crypto currency
fraud, do please take a few minutes to read.
Attachments:
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You may be familiar with the names,
Street Safe, Walk & Talk - we hope you are - but for anyone
that isn't, the attached documents provide information on
both initiatives. These show why both are so beneficial to
our communities and how you can get involved.
Please take a moment to view these
documents and share them with your families and friends.
Attachments:
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Help defeat Phishing
E-Mails and Texts
Follow the link below- learn how to protect yourself in a
couple of minutes
CLICK
HERE
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