British drivers have been warned about the dangers of leaving eight common items in their cars.
As the winter weather creeps in, motoring experts from LeaseCar.uk have revealed eight items you should always take out of cars and vans as a matter of health and safety.
Most drivers will take their belongings out of their vehicles after every journey to prevent break-ins and theft, but even low-cost items like sun cream and water bottles should be removed as extreme temperatures can reduce their efficacy.
And although the research is still a bit unclear, studies have linked chemicals found in plastic water bottles with health conditions like cancer and heart disease, and leaving them in the sun could cause these chemicals to leach into the water.
A spokesperson for LeaseCar.uk said: “In normal times, commuters will spend quite a few hours in their cars each week or even each day, and as a result, our vehicles can become homes for a variety of essential items like medication, water bottles, and even some food and snacks.
“But as this list reveals, there are some risks involved in leaving certain items in our cars, particularly if they’re exposed to extreme temperatures.”
1.Medication
Most medicine should be left at room temperature, but parked cars rarely remain at that point during summer and winter. Heat, cold and moisture inside your car probably won’t make your drugs directly harmful, but it could make them less effective.
2.Sun cream
Ironically, the active ingredients in sun scream break down in high heat. So, while unlikely to happen in the winter, leaving it in the car on a hot day could reduce its efficacy. Plus, the heat could cause it to explode.
3.Water bottles
Although the research is still a bit unclear, studies have linked chemicals found in plastic water bottles (BPA and phthalates) with health conditions like cancer and heart disease. Letting a bottle sit in the sun and heat up could cause these chemicals to leach into the water. Plus, if the bottle has been lying around for a while, it could start developing harmful bacteria.
4.Aerosol cans
Cans of deodorant, hairspray, or spray paint can all expand in extreme temperatures, potentially creating a full-on explosion if they’re left in the hot or cold weather for too long.
5.Important documents
Vehicle registration documents need to be kept in cars but storing other important papers such as tax forms or bank statements in your car can leave you vulnerable to identity theft. With enough information about you, thieves can assume your identity to make purchases in your name.
6.Canned foods
You should never leave canned or tinned food in the car during freezing weather. When canned food freezes, the liquid expands and can break the seal, spoiling the food.
7.Mobile phones
Many phone manufacturers advise against storing their products at temperatures below zero degrees. Performance of the lithium-ion batteries that power many mobile phones withers in extreme cold. Plus, you don’t want to risk them getting stolen anyway.
8.Glasses
Try not to leave your glasses in the car, as both heat and cold can affect the frames. Extreme heat could cause frames to warp and extreme cold could cause them to snap.
A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years for serious sexual offences committed between 1989 and 2005 at the Edinburgh High Court yesterday.
John Hoy was found guilty in October, 2020 to carrying out a number serious sexual offences including rape.
Detectives from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh began an investigation into Hoy after a woman came forward to report the non-recent sexual abuse he had subjected her to. He was subsequently arrested and charged on 31 October, 2018.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Firstly, my thoughts continue to be with victims and the courage they displayed during the investigation. Hoy would have gone un-punished had it not been for them, but now he will spend time in jail.
“I would urge anyone who wishes to report sexual crime, regardless of when it happened to contact us so we can conduct a thorough investigation.”
If you have concerns or information these can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
John Paul Hoy, who was formerly a member of the Queen’s Balmoral Guard, was sentenced for a campaign of sexual abuse against children.
An NSPCC Scotland spokesperson said: “Hoy subjected these young girls to terrifying ordeals, and the crimes he committed against them was abhorrent. They have shown immense bravery in speaking out.
“Cases such as these show that people who experience sexual abuse will be listened to and justice can be achieved. It is so important that these girls receive the support they need to recover.
“NSPCC Scotland works to prevent abuse and neglect and anyone worried about a child or about past abuse can contact our helpline to seek advice.”
Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, while Childline is there for young people on 0800 1111 or via www.childline.org.uk
A fraudster may call pretending to be from the victim’s bank advising of suspicious activity and thereafter induces the victim to hang up the telephone and call the number on the back of their bank card.
In these cases the fraudster stays on the line pretending to be a representative of the bank, then instructs the victim to transfer money into a ‘safe account’.
Fraudsters are cunning, creative and often very convincing.
Your bank will never ask you to transfer money into another account. If you receive a phone call, apparently from your bank, under the above circumstances, call into your local branch or phone your bank using a different telephone.
More than 250 offences of communicating indecently with a child in Scotland in four months after lockdown began
UK Prime Minister told bring forward tough Online Harms legislation that combats crime and brings in meaningful sanctions for rogue tech firms
Online grooming crimes in Scotland were more than 30% higher while children were not at school during the Coronavirus pandemic compared with the same months last year, the NSPCC can reveal.
The new data shows Police Scotland recorded 268 offences of communicating indecently with a child from April 1 to July 31 this year compared to 203 crimes in the same period last year, with the true scale of the problem likely to be much higher.
Yesterday, Police Scotland revealed that it had seen an 18% rise in all online child sexual abuse crimes between April and September this year compared to the same period last year.*
The findings have led to renewed calls for Boris Johnson to get tough on tech firms that fail to do enough to prevent offenders exploiting their sites and abusing children.
Offences have also increased annually in the three years prior to lockdown. In total, there were 1,661 offences recorded by Police Scotland from April 2017 to March 2020, with experts saying poorly designed social media sites are putting children at risk.
The NSPCC warned the pandemic had created a perfect storm for online offenders and believes these figures could mark the start of a surge in online grooming crimes.
With ongoing Coronavirus restrictions across the UK and children spending more time at home and online, the charity believes that the risk of online abuse will continue to spike, and many more offences may come to light when children report them at school.
One girl who contacted Childline during the pandemic said: “I am 12 and I don’t have social media but I wanted to get online and chat to people since my friends had done it and told me it would be fun. It started off fine with the occasional ‘hi’ and then men started sending d*** pics and saying really personal things.”
The new data comes as the UK Prime Minister makes vital decisions about online harms legislation that will create a Duty of Care on tech firms, with an announcement expected within weeks.
It’s understood the Online Harms White Paper consultation response has been signed off by the UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport and the Home Office and is sitting with Boris Johnson.
The Prime Minister is being urged to ensure companies and named managers can be held criminally responsible for failing to protect children from avoidable harm and abuse.
The need for a bold and ambitious response from Government has been heightened by the knock-on effects of the pandemic.
Criminals are exploiting the fact that children are spending more time online and high-risk video chatting and livestreaming services have become more popular.
After years of failed self-regulation, many platforms were easily exploitable for groomers during lockdown, with many seeing the crisis as an opportunity to commit abuse.
The NSPCC wants the upcoming Online Harms Bill to compel firms to consider child protections when they design their sites to prevent harm rather than react once the damage is done.
But it is warning tough deterrents will be needed to make some of the world’s biggest companies stand up and listen, and is concerned the UK Government may not go far enough.
NSPCC Chief Executive Peter Wanless said:“Families have long paid the price for big tech’s failure to protect children from abuse, but the Prime Minister has the chance to turn the tide and put responsibility on firms to clean up the mess they created.
“As the pandemic intensifies the threat children face online, bold and ambitious action is needed in the form of a world-leading Online Harms Bill.
“This means legislation that is tough on online crimes against children and regulation that holds tech companies and bosses financially and criminally responsible if they continue to turn a blind eye to entirely avoidable harm.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Samantha McCluskey, head of Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit, said: “The digital world opens up massive opportunities for us all.
“As a society it has become integral to our daily lives, particularly for children and young people, whose key means of communication during this pandemic has been online. It is important that we take every opportunity to ensure young people stay safe and are protected.
“Online predators will infiltrate those platforms and apps most used by children. Tech companies and service providers have a key role, and a responsibility, in ensuring young people can access their services safely and that predators are identified and dealt with before they can groom or abuse children in the virtual or real world. Working together we can make the online world safe for all children.”
Last month the NSPCC laid out six tests the UK Government’s regulation of social media will be judged on if it is to achieve bold and lasting protections for children online.
The charity said in order to make the UK a world-leader in child protection online, regulation must:
Create an expansive, principles-based duty of care
Comprehensively tackle online sexual abuse
Put legal but harmful content on an equal footing with illegal material
Have robust transparency and investigatory powers
Hold industry to account with criminal and financial sanctions
Give civil society a legal voice for children with user advocacy arrangements.
Instagram was the most used platform in child grooming crimes during lockdown, research by the NSPCC suggests.
New data shows there were more than 1,200 online grooming crimes recorded against children in the three months from April to June, with the true scale of the problem likely to be much higher.
The figures reveal how Instagram is increasingly being exploited by offenders. It was used in 37% of cases where the platform was recorded, compared with 29% over the previous three years.
The findings have led to renewed calls for Boris Johnson to get tough on tech firms that fail to do enough to prevent offenders exploiting their sites and abusing children.
Freedom of Information responses from 38 police forces in England and Wales show that 1,220 offences of Sexual Communication with a Child were recorded in the first three months of lockdown.
Facebook-owned apps (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp) were used in 51% of instances where the means of communication was recorded. Snapchat was used in 20% of instances for which data was available.
A new taskforce set up to tackle online child sexual abuse has already made 39 arrests in its first four-weeks of operation from 1st September.
Of the 39, 37 resulted in the recovery of material relating to online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
All of those arrested were men ranging in age from 15 to 76 years old.
Dozens of children were identified as being at risk or potentially at risk and have now been protected.
Internet grooming and online child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a priority for Police Scotland.
Assistant Chief Constable Judi Heaton, Lead for Major Crime, Public Protection and Local Crime, said: “Recorded crimes for online offending have risen substantially in line with our determined and recent proactive work to uncover this hidden criminality.
“Online offenders may think they are anonymous, and they may not comprehend the terrible, devastating and lifelong impact their actions have on children. But there is no excuse for their actions. Online images of child abuse and exploitation are not virtual, they show the very real abuse of a real child.
“We are determined to improve our response, invest in resources and latest technologies, to track down predators and abusers, and to make sure they face the full consequences of their actions.
“Tackling online CSA requires a cross partnership effort not only through enforcement but also on deterrence by means of offender programmes. And we are also working with the National Police Chiefs Council on ways we can prevent this criminality on a larger scale.”
From next week Police Scotland will run the next phase of its online child sexual abuse campaign #GetHelpOrGetCaught, which signposts offenders or potential offenders to Stop It Now!Scotland for help to stop or prevent offending.
A total of 1,036 online child sexual abuse crimes were recorded between April and September, according to Police Scotland’s 2010-21 Quarter 2 Performance Report, an increase of 18.4% on the previous year and 35.8% above the five year mean.
Police are appealing for information after a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the Corstorphine area.
The incident happened at around 6.40pm on Saturday (7 November). She was walking from the direction of the Tesco Extra store at Corstorphine and turned onto Broomhall Road at a convenience store and hair salon.
She was aware of a man following her along Broomhall Road. As she approached the junction of Broomhall Road and Broomhall Loan, she was approached from behind by the man, who asked her for the time.
He then assaulted her before running off along Broomhall Road towards Meadow Place Road.
He is described as white, around 30 to 40-years-old with short black hair and fair eyebrows. He was wearing a black mask and a black padded jacket.
Detective Sergeant Mark Seymour said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area both before and after this incident who may have seen this man or know who he is. In particular we are asking anyone with dash-cam footage or private CCTV that may have picked up anything suspicious to get in touch.
“Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1676 of Sunday, 8 November, 2020, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police in Edinburgh have received reports of malicious calls being made purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Fraudsters are spoofing genuine HMRC phone numbers to deceive victims stating that as a result of non-payment of tax, they are liable for prosecution.
The fraudsters suggest victims can avoid this by arranging a payment to be made immediately.
In genuine cases, HMRC will initially make contact via letter and potentially follow up with a call later. HMRC will not discuss something you are not already aware of and will not demand immediate payment.
• Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up. • Legitimate organisations wouldn’t ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using an iTunes gift card, or any other type of voucher. • Know who you’re dealing with – if you are unsure or need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with trading standards at Trading.Standards@edinburgh.gov.uk • Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. • Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information.
If you think you’ve been scammed report it via 101 and also contact your bank. As always, if you are in immediate danger call 999.
For further advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit our website http://ow.ly/hJnD50CcULF
For advice and guidance on suspicious emails or ‘phishing’ emails or text messages, please visit http://ow.ly/Uc2M50CcULE
Take advantage of the free online training at http://ow.ly/70ry50CcULD to learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a hit and run yesterday ( Friday, 6 November, 2020).
At around 4:40pm, a six-year-old boy was struck by a grey Skoda Fabia car while crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing on the West Approach Road: the driver failed to stop.
Emergency services attended and the boy was taken to hospital, where he is being treated for facial injuries.
Sergeant Peter Scott, of Edinburgh Road Policing Unit, said: “We’re appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident, or has relevant dash cam footage, to get in touch.
“I would also appeal directly to the driver of the car involved, to come forward.
“The grey Skoda Fabia sustained damage to the nearside fog lamp and nearside mirror. If anyone has information which could help to identify this car, then please get in touch.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2629 of 6 November, 2020.
Investigations are under way following a number of serious incidents across Scotland on Bonfire Night.
Police officers and firefighters were attacked with fireworks and other objects being thrown at them. On other occasions, groups caused damage to cars and properties.
In Edinburgh police received reports of anti-social behaviour in Pennywell Place. Officers attended and a 16-year-old male youth was arrested and is subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
In Hay Avenue, officers had to deal with a large group of youths throwing fireworks and bricks at them. A police vehicle was also damaged in this incident. Officers also attended Arthur’s Seat where groups of youths had gathered with fireworks and a bonfire was alight.
In Glasgow, officers came under attack in Dale Street with youths throwing fireworks at them. In Glenisla Street, a police officer was struck on the head with a firework. He was treated at the scene and continued his shift.
In Kendoon Avenue, police received a report of a vehicle on fire. Officers attended and the police car’s windscreen was smashed, resulting in an officer washing glass from his eye. He continued on duty and one man was arrested.
In Auchmead Road, Greenock, an unauthorised bonfire event resulted in firefighters and officers being attacked as youths threw fireworks and bottles. Public order officers were deployed to deal with the incident. A 15-year old male youth was arrested and charged. He is subject of a report to the Procurator Fiscal.
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “As the Chief Constable has said, it is disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.
“Across the country, the overwhelming majority of the public enjoyed Bonfire Night safely and responsibly and I want to thank them for heeding our advice. However, I am disappointed at the level of disorder and anti-social behaviour seen last night. A minority of people’s behaviour has once again put lives at risk. It also places intense pressure on the emergency services and impacts severely on local communities.
“The evening of Thursday, 5 November, 2020, saw a number of serious incidents arising throughout Scotland that required Operation Moonbeam resources to support local policing colleagues.
“The majority of these incidents involved young people. To be absolutely clear, such actions are dangerous and cause harm to the public and emergency service workers.
“We will not tolerate such acts and you may not have been arrested last night but rest assured, officers are carrying out follow-up investigations to identify those involved and responsible. Additional officers will continue to be deployed over the coming days to support local divisions.”
Dispersal Zones remain in place until midnight tonight.
An expert group that includes police, fire and animal welfare representatives has called for the introduction of no fireworks zones and tighter restrictions on the purchase and use of fireworks.
The independent Firework Review Group has submitted its final report to Ministers, urging a fundamental shift in the way fireworks are bought and used.
The call comes following widespread public support across Scotland to reduce the negative impact of fireworks.
The group, chaired by former Chief Fire Officer Alasdair Hay, has recommended a number of measures be taken forward, including:
the introduction of mandatory conditions when fireworks are purchased from retailers
restricting the times of day fireworks can be sold and volume of fireworks that can be purchased at any one time
restricting the days and times fireworks can be set off
the introduction of no firework areas or zones
the creation of a proxy purchasing offence to prevent adults from buying fireworks on behalf of those under the age of 18
Responding to the report, Community Safety Minister Ash Denham told Parliament: “I welcome and fully endorse these recommendations and thank Alasdair Hay and the members of the Review Group for their diligent work, especially in recent months during the pandemic.
“We are determined to keep all of Scotland’s communities safe from the harmful use of fireworks and the group’s findings will help us achieve that.
“I will now explore how these recommendations can be implemented, within the powers available to Parliament, and bring forward legislation to make these a reality.
“With Bonfire Night approaching, it is vital the public continues to adhere to the rules on meeting up with other households to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
“If someone does plan on using fireworks I would urge them to please do so responsibly and safely and to be mindful of their neighbours.
“I would also ask them to consider the various harmful impacts the noise of fireworks can have, including on our veterans, those with sensory issues and on our pets and livestock. Adapting alternative celebrations and sticking to the rules in place can go a huge way to ensuring everyone’s safety.”
Chair of the Review Group Alasdair Hay said: “I am pleased to set out the recommendations from the Firework Review Group. We have carefully considered the available evidence, and believe a step change is needed in how fireworks are accessed and used by the general public.
“This is not to prevent adults using fireworks sensibly and safely – rather, to ensure all safety requirements are fully understood and adhered to, and the impact on others has been fully considered.”
