Tag: Crime

Be on your guard: bogus workmen warning

‘Roofers’ target vulnerable householders

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Police in Edinburgh are urging people to be vigilant after elderly residents in the west of the city were targeted by bogus workmen last week.

On Thursday 31 March, two men called at addresses in Silverknowes Avenue, Tylers Acre Gardens and Broomhall Crescent, and at a house in Weavers Knowe Crescent in Currie and claimed that roofing work was required. The men then offered to carry out the work at highly inflated prices. The men were sent away.

On Friday 1 April, men of a similar description visited an address in Strathalmond Road, where they again claimed to the elderly occupier that roofing work was needed. The suspects then accompanied the 82-year-old man to the bank and persuaded him to hand over a four-figure sum for the work they claimed was required. The men then left without carrying out any work.

The first man is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, between 5 foot 6 and 5 foot 8 inches tall, of slim to average build with short dark brown or black hair and was wearing dark clothing.

The second man is described as white, in his 40s, between 5 foot 9 inches and 6 foot tall, of slim build with grey stubble or beard, sandy coloured hair and was of scruffy appearance wearing baggy khaki-type trousers.

Detective Inspector Grant Johnston of Gayfield CID said: “These two men are preying on vulnerable members of our community and together we need to be vigilant and stop them from targeting our friends, family and neighbours. I would appeal to people to please check on older friends and relatives and report any suspicious persons or vehicles. Such bogus workers have no scruples and even took their victim to the bank to withdraw cash which they immediately pocketed.

“Never allow cold callers into your home. If you want to check their credentials, genuine callers will be happy to wait outside a locked door whilst you call a number for their company from the phone book, or ask for them to return when there’s someone else with you. Ultimately you should not feel pressured to speak to them about unwanted services and products and it’s your right send them away. If you have any concerns please call police immediately.

“If you want work doing at your house, take recommendations and use a reputable trader. The City of Edinburgh Council runs a Trusted Trader scheme, more details can be found at www.trustedtrader.scot.”

Anyone with information about the two bogus workmen, or anyone concerned about rogue traders and cold callers should contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Continue reading Be on your guard: bogus workmen warning

Community Conference: now it’s time for action

Action Groups formed based on community priorities

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Five new Action Groups have been formed following last month’s community conference at Craigroyston Community High School.

The conference, organised by Community Action North and Granton Improvement Society supported by Craigroyston High School’s Community Centre, gave local people an opportunity to identify the main issues affecting the area. Participants then worked in small groups to look in detail at these topics and went on to form Action Groups to work with others to find short, medium and longer term solutions to the area’s problems.

The Action Groups are:

  • Big Picture (Economy, Employment & Decision Making)
  • Community Spaces & Environment
  • Crime & Community Safety
  • Housing
  • Youth

More than fifty local people took part in the event and it’s hoped that many more with attend a follow up event in the autumn.

A spokesperson for the conference organisers said: “The weather on the day was really dreadfully so we were delighted that so many people made the effort to attend. There was a lot of enthusiasm and many ideas were generated at the conference and the Action Groups will now take these ideas forward and plan the way ahead. There are lots of changes happening in the area just now and it’s important that local people are involved and have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.”

If you would like to be involved in the Action Groups or want more information about CAN, email comunityactionnorth@gmail.com

Community Conference Report

Be alert: ATM skimming devices warning

ATM SKIMMING DEVICES

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Given further discoveries of ATM skimmers in Edinburgh city centre, Dalkeith and Drylaw, Police Scotland is urging members of the public to be extra vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs.

– Check for tampering
If anything looks out of the ordinary, don’t use it. There might be something that just doesn’t look quite right near the screen, near the card reader itself or the keyboard perhaps. Trust your instincts.

– Have a wiggle
Skimmers read the magnetic stripe on your card as its inserted. By giving your card a wiggle as you put it in the machine, this will foil any skimmer that’s in the machine, without interfering with your transaction.

– Assume you’re being watched
Whether its through a hidden camera or by someone hovering over your shoulder, shield your pin as you enter it.

– ‘Up the Ante’ at the Weekends
Fraudsters know it’s harder to report anything suspicious to the bank over the weekend, so chances of machines being hit are higher. Take extra care out of business hours and on Saturdays and Sundays.

If your card is retained by the cash machine, contact your card issuer immediately.

Muirhouse meeting discusses community concerns

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Tenants & Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) has issued the following notes of a community meeting which was held in the Millennium Centre yesterday: Continue reading Muirhouse meeting discusses community concerns