The date of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council will be:
Monday 20th January 2020
7:30pm at the Methodist Church
The date of the next Parish Council Meeting will be:
3rd February 2020
7:30pm at the Village Hall
The date of the next Planning meeting will be:
None planned
Notices
Warning from the Police about Courier Fraud
We are urging members of the public to be aware of instances of courier fraud targeting elderly people.
Figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) show instances of courier fraud across the country are on the rise and affecting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Throughout the rest of this month police forces across the country are focussing on raising awareness of the different types of courier fraud to protect those most likely to fall victim.
Courier fraud is when criminals cold call a victim, typically claiming to be a police officer or bank official. Offences are often committed by organised crime groups who target the elderly and vulnerable.
Examples of specific instances have been where following a phone call, the fraudsters then claim there is an issue with the victim’s bank account or request their assistance with an ongoing bank or police investigation. The ultimate aim of the call being to lure them into handing over money or their bank details.
Common techniques used by the fraudsters include telling the victim to withdraw large sums of cash, purchase an expensive item, or provide their bank cards or details. In all cases, a ‘courier’ will then come and pick up the cash or items, on behalf of the police or bank. They will often come to the victim’s home address.
There were 233 reports of courier fraud in the eastern region in 2019 (up until 24 December) with total losses of more than £620,000.
We are urging people to remain aware that phone scams are operating across the region. As it does tend to be the elderly and vulnerable who are targeted by the offenders, please share the following advice with neighbours and relatives.
Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes as fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
Your debit or credit card is yours – don’t let a stranger take it off you. You should only ever have to hand it over at your bank. If it’s cancelled, you should destroy it yourself.
If you are suspicious about a telephone conversation you should end the call and contact police via the non-emergency number, 101. Ideally use a mobile phone or a friend’s phone or wait at least five minutes before calling to ensure you aren’t reconnected to the offender.
To report an incident in action or if you are in immediate danger always call 999.
Please also remember that your bank and the police would:
- Never ask for your bank account details or PIN over the phone
- Never ask you to withdraw money and send it to them
- Never ask you to send them your bank cards or any other personal property
Further information about courier fraud can be found on the force website here http://bit.ly/35W0NYB
Busway Closure
Message received from Cambridgeshire County Council:
Following on from my email on 27 August regarding the above A14 bridge works over the Busway, we have been working with Highways England (HE) as part of their work to upgrade the A14. They have been widening the bridge over the Guided Busway at Impington near Histon. To progress this work safely, primarily to allow them to install the necessary sheet piled foundations, the busway route under the bridge has been closed temporarily.
HE were going to complete this phase of work early November and re-open the busway but the work has been significantly more challenging than expected and the busway closure needs to be extended for them to safely complete the bridge extension.
Outstanding work also includes repairs to the busway track, which has suffered some damage during the sheet piling work caused by the unexpectedly hard ground conditions. The track has to be made safe before buses can run on it again, and we will be carrying out the repairs as soon as the bridge extension work is complete.
The guided busway will remain diverted until the end of January while all this work is completed. As soon as the repairs are completed the busway will reopen to bus services.
This means that the bus route going into Cambridge (southbound) between Histon and Orchard Park East will continue to be diverted via the Histon junction over the A14 during the closure. People travelling into Cambridge from Histon can board diverted services from the stop on Cambridge Road.
The cycle path will remain open during this extended closure period. Some additional, temporary closures of the cycle path will be required in the New Year when repairs to the busway track take place and people will be kept informed in advance.
HE have apologised for any inconvenience caused by the unexpectedly delayed reopening of the guided busway track at Impington.
Weekly Policing Update
Here is our weekly summary of offences and incidents affecting your community, reported to police during the period 7th to 13th January:
B1040 Hilton – Police were notified of a road traffic incident that happened on the B1040 at Hilton on Wednesday morning, 8th January. A car had left the road and crashed on to the verge, but fortunately no-one was hurt and no police involvement was required. (Ref CC-08012020-0116)
West Brook Area, Hilton – A black Audi car was stolen from the driveway of its owner’s house in the West Brook area of Hilton at some time overnight on Thursday 9th / Friday 10th January. (Ref 35/2319/20)
And Finally – Have Your say in a Road Safety Survey
The Cambridgeshire Road Safety Partnership have produced a short survey to learn more about local views and priorities regarding road safety. It is open until 6th February and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Please click on the following link to take part:
www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/33PW2/
Database
Hilton Parish Council would like to set up a email database to allow it to notify you of some of the more significant issues it deals with in a more timely manner. If you would like to be included in this database please send an email to our clerk:
Speed-watch Volunteers
As many of Hilton residents are aware, increasing levels of traffic through the village is having a detrimental impact. Hilton Parish Council is calling for volunteers to help with a speed-watch campaign. If you would like to volunteer please contact us by calling our clerk: 01480 830605 or leave a message via the Contact page:
