If you've been a victim of crime in Lewisham, help and support is on hand. A range of voluntary and community organisations, including Lewisham Police, Lewisham Victim Support, Refuge and the Council’s own trading standards and neighbourhood community safety services came together at a recent event to discuss strategies and pledge their commitment to helping residents … [Read more...]
Beware business rates scam
Lewisham Trading Standards Service and Lewisham Business Rates Team have warned of ’reduction’ firms who are conning local businesses. The scammers purport to advise local businesses about business rate changes. A Lewisham business recently received a telephone call from a company who told them that the threshold for business rates relief would fall from £6500 to £6000 and … [Read more...]
Beware of iPhone and iPad muggings at Catford stations
Commuters were warned to be on alert for robbers who are targeting people carrying iPhones on trains in London. Detectives have released CCTV images of two robbery suspects after a series of phone snatches on trains and at stations. The British Transport Police Robbery Squad is warning passengers to remain vigilant after phone snatches in south London. On 7 January … [Read more...]
Warning about loan scams
Following complaints from residents targeted by dodgy money lending companies, Lewisham Council is warning residents to be wary of money lending scams. Fraudsters seem to be targeting customers who have recently completed online applications for a loan. The customer then receives a telephone call from someone claiming to be from a business offering loans; the caller asks the … [Read more...]
Gun incident in Catford
There has been a firearms incident in Catford Shopping Centre. Catford Mews was closed whilst police searched for a gunman. There was a moment of craziness during lunchtime as police ordered shoppers to stay inside shops. One member of the public confirmed that she saw police hurry shoppers out of Pound Stretchers as they attempted to locate the gunman. Police could be … [Read more...]
Be aware of scammers
The office of Fair Trading is promoting Scam Awareness Month with the support of Lewisham Council. The three themes of Scam Awareness Month are; ‘Scamnesty’, holiday clubs and ticket scams. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness about the many different types of scams around, so that people don’t get taken for a ride. Lewisham Council will have an information stand … [Read more...]
Crime map website launched today
Police.uk is a new website launched today to provide information about crime and policing in any given area. The data is currently limited to crime in December 2010. I thought I'd give it a go this morning so here's the map for SE6. The crime map for SE6 shows that in December2010 there were 768 incidents of crime, broken down as follows: Burglrary - … [Read more...]
Residents warned over Council Tax scam
Lewisham Council is advising residents to be on their guard after reports of a council tax scam targeting residents across the capital. It is believed the scammers contact people to tell them they can receive a financial reward as a thank you for paying their Council Tax by direct debit. The calls and emails claim to be from the ‘Council Tax Head Office in London’, and … [Read more...]
Warning about energy meter fraud
Lewisham residents are being warned about a prepayment energy meter fraud that’s hit London. Data from the leading energy companies – British Gas, EDF Energy, E.ON, npower, Scottish Power and SSE – shows that the fraud, organised by criminal gangs, is hitting customers across the city, with reports that over 4,500 households in Lewisham have already fallen victim to the … [Read more...]