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Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter February 2004, NHW Area LTB1 Bridle Estate (NHW80)

Investment Scams, Home Security, Police Crime Report, Neighbourhood Watch Blood Challenge.

By Malcolm Lawrence - 4th February 2004 - Back to News

Neighbourhood Watch Area LTB1, Bridle Estate.

Area Coordinators Carmen Cook 5134 1920, Val. Bartholomeusz 5133 9685.

Next Meeting

When: Monday 16th of February 2004.

Time: 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army Hall,

Bridle Road, Morwell.

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) have warned that the operators of sophisticated tele-sales investment scams, which have cost Australian investors more than $400 million in the past three years, are back for another bite of the pie. They were scared off in 2001 by legal action and publicity. They have returned to dupe naïve Australian investors, and they are getting smarter. Some people who have been victims of earlier scams have been contacted with the offer to recover the lost money for a fee. ASIC is particularly concerned about an operation called Grace Morley & Associates, which has lost the funds of nearly 50 Australian investors.

Cold Calling Scam:

This scam involves high pressure telephone sales operators, usually overseas, contacting investors to sell shares in companies that don’t exist, or overvalued shares in obscure companies. Hang up on cold callers.

Follow Up Scam:

In this particularly sleazy scam, the caller will call someone who has lost money on a cold calling scam, and for a fee, offer to assist the investor to recover their money. Of course, the money sent off as a fee simply disappears as well.

Before you invest check on ASIC’s investor website www.fido.asic.gov.au for the latest scams, or phone ASIC’s info line on 1300 300 630.

Tips From a Former Thief :

Windows:

Windows are a major entry point for thieves. They can be unlatched from the outside and slid open and some of the aluminium types can be lifted out entirely. Putting dead locks on windows hinders this and also hinders the goods being taken out of the house.

Sheds and Garages:

Try to secure these building as much as possible. If a thief can get into a garage or shed, they then have a choice of tools at their disposal, making entry into your house so much easier. Many garages have louvred glass windows. The glass can be easily removed. The best hindrance to access is to place steel mesh, such as the type used in concrete pours, on the inside of your windows. The glass can still be removed but access will be denied. Some sheds are secured by padlocks and these can be useful. However, many sheds with good strong padlocks have very cheap and flimsy latches. Also, the screws mounting the latches are exposed and easy to remove. The end result is that the lock is still attached to the latch, but the latch is lying on the ground and your shed is open. If you have exposed screw heads, file the groove so that a screwdriver cannot fit. Thus preventing removal of the screw. If you can weld or bolt the latch on the shed or garage with coach bolts, you will find this works best as removal of the latch is virtually impossible. (From NHW Sentinel)

With the Christmas period over. Now is the time to think of marking the gifts you may have received. VCRs. DVD players, bicycles these among other things are highly sought after by thieves. Items should be marked with your driver’s licence number with a "V" in front to designate Victoria. Our NHW area has engravers to lend to residents to mark their property. Ring 5134 3071 if you require an engraver.

Police Crime Report for January 2003-2004

NHW Area LBT1 Bridle Estate

Due To Privacy Considerations NOT ALL Offences For This Area Are Listed

• 5/1/2004 Bridle Road Deception.
• 6/1/2004 Airlie Bank Road Property damage to a unit.
• 15/1/2004 The Boulevard Property damage to a house.
• 19/1/2004 Bridle Road Property damage to a house by a missile.
• 19/1/2004 Bridle Road Property damage to a house window by a missile.
• 23/1/2004 Chestnut Avenue Property damage to a dwelling by physical force.
• 24/1/2004 Wyung Drive Property damage to a house.
• 24/1/2004 Bridle Road Aggravated burglary with physical force at a unit.
• 25/1/2004 Bunyip Court Burglary in the backyard of a house.

Nine offenders were processed for any reported offences in the area.

Neighbourhood Watch Blood Challenge:

The Neighbourhood Watch Blood Challenge has just finished for 2003 by breaking all previous records with a whopping 1900 blood donations over the last three months.

Anita Williams from Australian Red Cross Blood Service said the final collection tally was a terrific improvement on the 2002 result of 1370 donations. "We’re very grateful to everyone from Neighbourhood Watch for their support of the Blood Service. The collected blood donations will help save as many as 5,700 lives, as every donation is made into at least three blood products," said Ms Williams.

The Neighbourhood Watch Blood Challenge, which is in its third year, incorporates Australian Red Cross Blood Service donor centres across the state and assists in supporting the 200 Victorian hospitals that rely on a regular blood supply.

While as many as 80 per cent of Victorians are likely to need a blood transfusion in their life, only three per cent are blood donors. That’s why Challenges such as the Neighbourhood Watch Challenge are so important to this vital community service.

Congratulations and thanks to all involved. We look forward to another successful year in 2004.

(From Neighbourhood Watch Sentinel)

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: malcolml@dcsi.net.au