Archive for category: News

Fraud alert: Scam calls using ‘spoofed’ phone numbers

City of London Police is urging the public to be sure of who they are talking to following a spike in reports of calls from ‘spoofed’ phone numbers.

Criminals use ‘spoofing’ software to intentionally cover up their real caller ID and instead, mirror the phone number of a legitimate organisation. They do this to make it appear that calls or text messages are coming from a trusted organisation like the police, banks or government agencies.

These scam calls may be automated, or from a real person. Their main goal is to trick you into sharing personal information or to transfer money.

This week, the City of London Police launched its courier fraud campaign to raise awareness of this type of fraud as it evolves across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics.

Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals, and anything handed over is lost.

Report a suspicious phone call

If you’ve lost money or have been hacked as a result of responding to a phishing message or scam call, you should report it to Report Fraud.

In England, Wales or Northern Ireland, visit https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/ or call 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland by calling 101.

You should also report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ and the caller’s number.

If you’ve shared personal information with a suspicious caller

·  Learn how to protect yourself if you think you’ve shared personal information.

If you’ve visited a website you think is suspicious, you can report a scam website or link to us.

Courier fraud alert: Over 70s targeted as courier fraud exceeds £21 million in 2025.

City of London Police are issuing a renewed warning to the public as courier fraud continues to evolve across the UK, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated and persistent tactics that are driving significant financial harm to victims.

New figures show reports increased by nearly 10 per cent year-on-year, rising from 1,721 in 2024 to 1,891 in 2025. Over the same period, total losses climbed from £19.5 million to more than £21 million, with the average amount stolen per victim now standing at £15,311.08, underlining the significant financial harm caused by each offence.

A key feature of this threat is the disproportionate targeting of older people, particularly those aged 70 and above. This group makes up majority of victims, with those aged between 76 and 96 alone accounting for around 62 per cent of all reports.

Fraudsters often deliberately focus on older victims, exploiting trust in institutions such as the police and banks, as well as using pressure tactics, fear and urgency to manipulate them into complying with instructions.

A growing trend identified in 2025 involves the use of jewellery and gold to carry out high-value frauds. In many cases, victims are persuaded to visit multiple jewellers to purchase expensive items over a period of time before handing them to a courier. This method often results in the highest amount stolen and can involve repeat victimisation, with offenders maintaining contact to extract as much money as possible.

How to spot the signs of courier fraud

Courier fraud typically begins with an unexpected phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer or bank employee. Victims are told their account is at risk or that they are assisting with an investigation, before being instructed to withdraw money, purchase items, or disclose sensitive information. A courier is then sent to collect the items such as jewellery, cash, bank cards and PINs. In reality, this is the work of criminals and anything handed over is lost.

How to protect yourself from courier fraud:

·  Transferring money: Your bank or the police will never ask you to transfer money to a safe account.

·  Couriers: Your bank or the police will never send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuables such as jewellery.

·  Check if it’s genuine: Contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on official websites, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank.

·  Caller ID: Don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID.

·  Report suspicious calls: You can report suspected scam calls by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the caller’s number.

If you think you have been a victim of fraud contact Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the website: reportfraud.police.uk.

55 million suspicious emails reported by the public

Members of the public have reported 55.7 million suspicious emails to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The free service was created by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in 2020 and since its launch has resulted in the removal of 250,000 scams across 443,000 malicious websites.

Why you should report phishing scams

‘Phishing’ is when criminals use scam emails, text messages or phone calls to trick their victims. The aim is often to make you visit a website, which may download a virus onto your computer, or steal bank details or other personal information.

The NCSC is a UK government organisation that has the power to investigate and take down scam email addresses and websites. Reporting a scam is free and only takes a minute. By reporting suspicious emails, messages and calls, you can:

• reduce the amount of scam communications you receive
• make yourself a harder target for scammers
• protect others from cyber crime online

How to report suspicious emails and text messages:

If you’ve received an email or text message that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• break the contact – don’t reply, click on any links, call any phone numbers or make any payments
• check if it’s genuine: contact the organisation directly using an email address or phone number you know is correct, e.g. from your utility bills, via a search engine, on the back of your card or by calling 159 for banks
• Report suspicious emails by forwarding them to: ku.vo1786736676g.gni1786736676hsihp1786736676@trop1786736676er1786736676
• Report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to: 7726 (it’s free of charge)

How to report suspicious phone calls:

If you’ve received a phone call that doesn’t feel right, STOP!

• hang up
• check if it’s genuine: contact the organisation directly using contact details you know are correct, such as those on a utility bill, official website, the back of your card or by calling 159 for your bank
• don’t trust the Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID
• report it by sending a text to 7726 with the word ‘Call’ followed by the scam caller’s number

If you have been a victim of cyber crime or fraud, tell the police at www.reportfraud.police.uk.

For advice and guidance on what to do if you have been a victim of fraud, please visit: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk/recovery-from-fraud/

Reminder that the EWR consultation finishes on 9 June 2026. Barton Parish Council has responded to relevant sections on behalf of residents. This is the last consultation before the business case is drawn up and presented to the Government (2027).

Cllr Andy Martin attended a local respresentative group  meeting in London at the Department of Transport with Pippa Heyling, Lord Peter Hendy (Rail Minister) and Lord Partrick Vallance. CEO of EWR David Hughes answered most of the questions following an overview by Lord Vallance of why the Goverment believe that EWR is vital as part of the Oxford/Cambridge arc strategy to unlock development and growth in and between the two university cities. After the meeting, a debrief was held with Pippa Heylings.