Community Safety News & Campaigns

National Stalking awareness week 25th  -  29th April 2022

We will be supporting the  Suzy Lamplugh Trust campaign online across our social media and digital channels on the theme of Bridging The Gap. The theme of this year's trust  conference is Bridging The Gap, highlighting the vital role that stalking advocates play in bridging the gap between the victim and the criminal justice system. We know that sometimes it can be hard to navigate police investigations and court hearings on your own as a victim, hence why the role of advocates is so integral in ensuring the victims remain empowered by keeping their voice at the forefront of the case. Aim The aim of the week is to raise awareness on the role of Independent Stalking Advocates, understanding their vital role in bridging the gap between the victim and the criminal justice system.  If you would like to know more about our local advocates, then visit Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers | Women's Aid Leicestershire (wa-leicester.org.uk) or Alice Ruggles Trust - Stalking support services

New Scam about Energy Rebate 

Local authority leaders are warning residents about a new scam where cold callers pretend to be helping people claim the Government’s £150 energy rebate.

The pandemic saw an increase in scams which included promises of a payment from HMRC to support individuals during the lockdown or offers of a vaccination booking for a fee.

However, councils are now warning that criminals are cold calling residents asking for bank details in order for them to receive the Government’s energy rebate.

The rebate was announced earlier this year, amid the rising cost of energy bills. Payments are being administered by local authorities for all households in council tax bands A to D.

The Local Government Association (LGA) reminded residents that councils will not ask for bank details over the phone.

All households who pay council tax by direct debit will receive the payment directly into their bank account and anyone who does not pay their council tax by direct debit will be sent a letter with details of how to claim.

If you get sent a message that you believe to be fraudulent, you can report it to your mobile phone provider or by forwarding the message to 7726, a free reporting service provided by phone operators. You should also report the scam to Action Fraud to help others avoid falling victim in the future.

Romance scams

Valentine’s Day may be getting close, but we’re asking people to be aware of ‘romance scams’ which can involve people being duped into sending money to criminals who go to great lengths to gain their trust and convince them that they are in a genuine relationship.

They use language to manipulate, persuade and exploit so that requests for money do not raise alarm bells. These requests might be highly emotive, such as criminals claiming they need money for emergency medical care, or to pay for transport costs to visit the victim if they are overseas.

Scammers will often build a relationship with their victims over time.

Signs a friend or family member, may be involved in a romance scam:

• They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person. They might become hostile or angry, and withdraw from conversation when you ask any questions about their partner
• They may express very strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met
• They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face. They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.
• How users can stay safe from romance scams:
• Be suspicious of any requests for money from someone you have never met in person, particularly if you have only recently met online.
• Speak to your family or friends to get advice.
• Profile photos may not be genuine, do your research first.

It is important that no matter how long you’ve been speaking to someone online and how much you think you trust them, if you have not met them in person, it’s important that you do not:

• Send them any money
• Allow them access to your bank account
• Transfer money on their behalf
• Take a loan out for them
• Provide copies of your personal documents such as passports or driving licenses
• Invest your own money on their behalf or on their advice
• Purchase and send the codes on gift cards from Amazon or iTunes
• Agree to receive and/or send parcels on their behalf (laptops, mobile phones etc.)

If you think you have been a victim of a romance scam, do not feel ashamed or embarrassed - you are not alone. Contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk  

Dry January

Dry January supports people across the country to change their relationship with alcohol through stopping drinking for one month using Alcohol Change UK's tools and resources. You can use Dry January to help your community to become healthier and happier

Download the free Try Dry app to help you meet your goals, whether you want to take on Dry January (or another dry challenge), cut down on your drinking, or go totally alcohol-free. Visit  https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/dry-january/get-involved/the-dry-january-app

Safer Internet Day 8 February 2022

This year’s theme ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’.

From gaming and chat, to streaming and video, young people are shaping the interactive entertainment spaces they are a part of. Safer Internet Day 2022 celebrates young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers.

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, more details about Safer Internet Day can be found at https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022

Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence awareness week

Sexual abuse is a serious crime which includes several coerced sexual acts where the person does not consent or feels pressured into consenting. 

This form of abuse can include rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing/innuendo, sexual photography or being subjected to pornography. 

Sexual assault can be reported online in Leicestershire at https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/

Victims of sexual assault can also call Juniper Lodge the local Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC)on  0116 273 3330

You can join the conversation on social media using #itsnotok and follow @itsnotok2021 https://www.itsnotokay.co.uk/

Hate crime

January 27 is Holocaust Day which is an opportunity to raise awareness of hate crime.

A hate crime is defined as 'Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person's race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.'

A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.

Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported and recorded by the police.

Victims are encouraged to report their experiences to True vision and online report it centre visit https://www.leics.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/hco/hate-crime/how-to-report-hate-crime/