Archive for category: News

As many residents are aware, Barton Greenways team presented detailed plans for the works to be carried out along the B1046 in the village hall last December. These plans are now available to view online.

The overview shows in green the works that will be carried out this year. (Note that “red” sections have not been finalized yet but are still part of the overall plans.)

Works in Barton are subject to a Traffic Road Order (TRO) which will be published next week. Once the TRO is approved and in place, the physical work can start. This is likely to be late summer after work in Comberton on the Comberton Greenway scheme is complete.

 

Do you have tools stored in a van overnight outside your home?

 

Between 1 and 15 February, 33 crimes have been raised for theft from vans across the county, with 24 of the vans having tools stolen from them.

 

The breakdown of the offences are:

Cambridge:

• 5 February: Park & Ride, Babraham Road – forced entry – tools stolen
• 5 February: Cowley Road – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 6 February: Teversham Drift – forced entry – tools stolen
• 12 February: Randal Way – forced entry – tools stolen
• 15 February: Premier Inn, Ring Fort Road – lock drilled – tools stolen

South Cambridgeshire:

• 6 February: Queensway, Sawston – forced entry – tools stolen
• 7 February: Travelodge, Newmarket Road, Little Abington – forced entry – tools stolen
• 7 February: Riddy Lane, Bourn – forced entry – tools stolen
• 7 February: Brookside, Toft – forced entry – tools stolen
• 7 February: High Street, Grantchester – not specified – tools stolen
• 9 February: Villa Place, Impington – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 12 February: Clarkes Way, Bassingbourn – unknown method of entry – tools stolen
• 12 February: The Tanyard, Bassingbourn – forced entry – tools stolen
• 12 February: Red Lion Hotel, Station Road, Whittlesford – forced entry – nothing stolen
• 13 February: Rectory Road, Duxford – forced entry – tools stolen

Huntingdonshire:

• 7 February: Marlborough Road, Eaton Socon – forced entry – tools stolen
• 9 February: Landsdowne Road, Yaxley – forced entry – tools stolen
• 9 February: Herne Road, Ramsey – lock drilled – nothing stolen
• 10 February: Whytefield Road, Ramsey – forced entry – not specified
• 12 February: Kingsbrook, St Ives – forced entry – nothing stolen
• 13 February: Constable Road, St Ives – forced entry – tools stolen
• 15 February: Limes Park, St Ives – lock drilled – nothing stolen

Fenland:

• 8 February: Shaftesbury Avenue, March – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 8 February: Church Street, Wimblington – not specified – tools stolen
• 8 February: Newgate Street, Doddington – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 8 February: Barton Road, Wisbech – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 8 February: Nightall Drive, March – lock drilled – nothing stolen
• 8 February: Church End, Leverington – lock drilled – nothing stolen
• 9 February: New Road, Chatteris – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 9 February: North End, Wisbech – lock drilled – tools stolen
• 13 February: Fillenham Way, Chatteris – vehicle unlocked – nothing stolen

Peterborough:

• 8 February: Russell Close, Thorney – lock drilled – nothing stolen
• 9 February: Woburn Drive, Thorney – lock drilled – tools stolen

 

We are finding these thieves are breaking into the vans by drilling into the locks and forcing doors open.

 

While we’re working hard to identify those responsible, there are measures that can be taken to prevent your van from being targeted, such as installing anti-drill panelling.

 

Here are some tips to protect yourself from falling victim to this crime:

• Get your tools marked. This makes them less desirable and more difficult to sell on as they can be easily identified. This can be done by visiting the immobilise website.
• You can purchase and install small cameras that are designed to record the inside of vehicles and can help us in identifying offenders.
• Keep a regularly updated inventory of what is kept in the vehicle, making note of serial numbers. This helps us to reunite the items with their rightful owners if they are recovered.
• Where possible, reverse your van into a driveway. This makes it harder for thieves to access any rear doors
• If you do not have any already, install outside lighting that is triggered by motion, as this can deter thieves.

 

Even if you do not own a van, be sure to look out for your neighbours! If you see something suspicious, please report it to us by calling 101 or through our online reports.

 

Always call 999 if you believe a crime is in action or someone is in immediate danger.

 

We would also be interested in seeing any footage from video doorbells or CCTV which may capture any suspicious activity. This can be passed to us via our website’s online reporting function.

The force has launched a campaign warning the public about the dangers of an emerging scam.

It works through QR – quick response – codes and can see victims unwittingly download malware or provide fraudsters with sensitive information.

In some cases victims have lost thousands. One victim lost £13,000 after scanning a code on a station parking machine, which took her to a phony website.

Posters have been put up at bus stops in Cambridge in a bid to spread the word about the threat.

The posters show someone scanning a QR code on a menu – just one of the many places QR codes can be found – with the words, “Never been quished? Let’s keep it that way”, written across them.

The posters encourage people to scan a code, which will take them to a dedicated force webpage, packed with messages on how to stay safe from this latest scam. It also highlights how quick and easy it is to scan a code.

Fraud and cyber prevention officer Dave York said: “Quishing, also known as QR code phishing, involves tricking someone into scanning a phony QR code with their phone or device. The QR code then takes the user to a fraudulent website that might download malware or ask for sensitive information. It’s the latest trend used by scammers to get to your hard-earned cash.

“QR codes are often found on things like parking machines, charging points, emails, even restaurant menus. Once scanned, scam codes will take you to a bogus website where you innocently input your details thinking you’re paying for a service or visiting the genuine site, when in fact, you’re sharing all your personal details with the scammers.

“There are a number of things people can do to keep themselves safe, including:

–  If the QR is on a poster in a public area, always check whether it appears to have been stuck over the original. If the sign or notice is laminated and the QR code is under the lamination or part of the original print, chances are it’s more likely to be genuine

–  If in doubt download the app from the official Google or Apple store or search the website on your phone’s internet browser, rather than scanning a QR code to take you there. It may take longer, but it’s more secure

– Check the preview of the QR code’s URL before opening it to see if it appears legitimate. Make sure the website uses HTTPS rather than HTTP, doesn’t have obvious misspellings and has a trusted domain

–  Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t share your details

“It’s hoped the posters, coupled with the webpage, will highlight the potential risks around scanning QR codes, what to look out for and how to keep yourself safe from the scammers.

“Technological advances bring a whole host of benefits, but sadly also a whole host of opportunities for scammers.”

For more on quishing, visit the website.

Please be aware of rogue traders knocking on the doors of elderly and vulnerable individuals.

These dodgy individuals offer services such as gardening and maintenance work or claim that you need a roof tile repaired, but unfortunately, their services often fall short in quality while charging inflated prices. Often their method involves persuasive sales tactics, coercing hasty decisions from unsuspecting homeowners.

We strongly advise against engaging with doorstep sellers. Instead, we recommend seeking at least three quotes from reputable companies before considering any work.

To safeguard yourselves from falling victim to fraudsters, we encourage you to visit our website for comprehensive tips on protection. Please share this advice with your neighbours and relatives.

 

New buses, improved transport links and smart tech – looking back at the GCP’s delivery in 2023

New buses and infrastructure to improve people’s daily journeys have been delivered by the Greater Cambridge Partnership in 2023.

From the start of work on the Greenways network, to the continued construction of the Milton Road project and 30 new electric buses joining the city’s fleet, here we look back on the projects delivered and the decisions taken by the GCP over the past 12 months.

Click for the full story on our website