Police News & Announcements

[SteveH]

RESIDENTS are being urged to secure their property following two burglaries in Craig-y-Don.

North Wales Police said the incidents on Liddell Drive and Kingsway, took place overnight on Tuesday, October 12.

The thieves had broken into the properties through a garage and conservatory, police said. An electric bike was among the stolen items.

"Two burglaries have taken place sometime over Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

"One was forced entry into a conservatory and the other was from the garage, where an electric bike was stolen."

[SteveH]

NORTH Wales residents are being advised on the dangers surrounding Cryptocurrency.

A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend.

Many cryptocurrencies are de-centralised networks based on blockchain technology—a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers.

Bitcoin continues to lead the pack of cryptocurrencies in terms of market capitalization, user base, and popularity.

And whilst it may seem like a great idea to invest in it on the surface, North Wales Police has issued some guidance on why members of the public should be cautious of it.

They have issued the following steps on how to approach Cryptocurrency and how to spot if it may be too good to be true:

Be cautious of approaches presenting you with exclusive investment opportunities. It could be a scam if you’re being pressurised to act quickly.
Don’t rely on personal testimonies or celebrity endorsements, they could be fake.
Most cryptocurrencies aren’t regulated by the FCA which means they’re not protected by the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme. It’s important that you do your research and proceed with extreme caution before making any investments.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

[SteveH]

MORE than 20 special constables took their oath to uphold the law as they were attested at police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

[Fester]

MORE than 20 special constables took their oath to uphold the law as they were attested at police headquarters in Colwyn Bay.

I read that as ‘arrested’ .... I thought, they didn’t last long!

[SteveH]

NEW crime data from the UK Government shows how the number of residential burglaries across England and Wales fell by 27% between March 2020 and March 2021 - the year of lockdowns.

In North Wales residential burglaries fell by 38% compared to the previous year.

The data shows there were 1,421 burglaries in North Wales during this period compared to 2,191 the previous year.

There were over 72,000 fewer domestic burglaries in England and Wales.

Regional data shows that there was a reduction in residential burglaries across every single constabulary.

“Our analysis clearly shows the dramatic impact lockdown had on the number of residential burglaries across every single region in England and Wales. There’s a clear correlation between the lockdown periods and the reduction in recorded incidents.”

“We put this down to a combination of factors. People spending more time at home has limited the usual window of opportunity for thieves to commit break-ins, while at the same time homeowners have become increasingly aware of the need to secure their homes properly.”

“Lockdowns were particularly busy for us as homeowners have had more time and money to spend on buying and installing domestic security products.

[SteveH]

TWO cars were broken into on a street in Deganwy on Wednesday night.

North Wales Police said the incidents, which took place on St Hilary's Drive, involved cars that had not been locked overnight.

Police urged people in the town to make sure their vehicles are secure.

"On both occasions the car was left unlocked.

"If you live in the area or know anyone who does please let them know.

"Lock your car and remove all valuables to stop this happening to you."

[SteveH]

North Wales Police arrest over 30 during first week of Anti Drink and Drug Drive campaign
Despite regular reminders of the consequences of drink and drug-driving, too many people are still prepared to put their lives and those of other road users at risk.

"Anyone who is considering driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs should know that we will be out and about waiting.

“We are fully committed to help make the roads safer for all and will continue to target those who endanger their own lives and the lives of others.

“We want everyone to enjoy a safe and happy festive season and so this is one of our most important annual campaigns. Despite our regular updates and constant warnings around the dangers and consequences of drink and drug-driving, too many people are still prepared to put their lives and those of other road users at risk.”

Follow the campaign on social media by following the #Fatal5 hashtag.

If you suspect someone is driving while unfit to do so, please report it immediately to police on 101 (or 999 if they are posing imminent danger) or phone it through anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.        NWP

[SteveH]

Listen to man's 999 call to check what the weather is like on Snowdon
A chipped tooth and being low on diesel were among the thousands of time waster calls to emergency services

A man who called 999 to ask what the weather was like on Snowdon has made it into a hall of shame of emergency service time wasters.

Another rang up asking for the police how to get his drunk friend home while one woman complained of chipping a tooth on a takeaway.

One man even said he'd ran out of diesel while what sounded like a child rang up just to dish out abuse.

Today, North Wales Police made the calls public as part of their ongoing #ReduceDemand campaign to help lessen the amount of unnecessary and inappropriate calls made to the joint communications centre in St Asaph ahead of one of their busiest times of year.

Superintendent Mark Williams from the Force Control Room is urging people to make sure that they use the 999-line appropriately, and only contact the non-emergency line or live web chat if it is a police matter.

cont/video    https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/listen-mans-999-call-check-22559155?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

Scammers have taken to WhatApp in a bid to target parents, North Wales Police are warning.

Fraudsters posing as family members have been using the social networking platform to find mothers and fathers to rinse for cash.

Police have shared a warning so people think twice and can hopefully avoid being swindled.

A North Wales Police spokesman said: "A popular scam doing the rounds at the moment is one where you will receive a message as though it has come from a family member.

"The message will read something like 'Dad I've changed my mobile number today' this will be followed by 'I'm locked out of my bank account, could you help me by paying an invoice' this will have bank details attached.

"Most of the messages are coming via Whatsapp. Please alert family and friends so that you don't get caught out."

The scam has been reported dozens of times to Action Fraud times between August and October 2021.

In one instance, a victim reported paying almost £2,000 to someone they believed was their son after they received a WhatsApp message.

The suspect claimed that they had broken their phone which is why they had a new number and that they needed a number of invoices paying.

The victim made two payments via bank transfer to the suspect, totalling almost £2,000.

“We advise all users never to share their six-digit PIN code with others, not even friends or family, and recommend that all users set up two-step verification for added security.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/parents-warned-whatsapp-scam-messages-22723735

[SteveH]

A POLICE boss has unveiled a plan to increase the number of drug driving tests in a campaign to improve road safety and save lives.

The crackdown is part of new strategy by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin.

Mr Dunbobbin is also ramping up the fight against child abuse, domestic violence and cybercrime, while putting more bobbies on the beat - including 10 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

He will reveal his plan to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel next Monday (January 31), when he will ask them to back an increase of just under 22p a week in the cost of policing the region.

The proposed 3.68 per cent increase would cost Band D householders an extra £11.25 a year.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19870486.police-boss-ramps-drug-driving-tests-north-wales/

[SteveH]

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin has launched a new scheme investing in projects dealing with the root causes of crime across North Wales.

The Innovate to Grow Fund is looking at targeting projects across the region, especially ones offering new and innovative ideas of preventing and tackling wrongdoing.

The aim is for the initiative to complement the priorities within the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, as well as his Community Oriented Police Service (COPS) approach to serve all communities across North Wales.

Examples of initiatives that could be eligible for support under the scheme include those covering youth services, early intervention, and adverse childhood experiences; drug, alcohol and substance misuse services; and organisations working to combat domestic abuse, sexual violence, and violence against women and girls.

Mr Dunbobbin said: “I am hugely excited to launch the new Innovate to Grow initiative, which I believe will help to develop some of the most exciting, innovative and rewarding projects to tackle crime that are underway in the region.

"My Police and Crime Plan commits to delivering safer neighbourhoods in North Wales, to supporting victims and communities, and to ensuring a fair and effective criminal justice system for all.

“A key way of meeting these ambitions is by investing in the community-level projects across North Wales which are thinking and acting in new and innovative ways to stop crime where it starts.

"I’d encourage any organisation that thinks they fit the criteria to get in touch and apply, so that they can act with us to build on their good work and deliver the safer and more secure neighbourhoods we all wish to see.”

Mr Dunbobbin has allocated £100,000 to the new scheme to support projects for up to one year, with the main focus being on innovation. A maximum of £5,000 will be available for each project; however, should the project be delivered across two or more counties, a maximum of £10,000 will be offered.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be not-for-profit and must complete a business plan. The plan must align to one of the Commissioner’s policing priorities. All organisations also need to ensure they have a Welsh Language, Equal Opportunities and Social Value policy in place and show how they will be integrating these areas into the delivery of the project.

For further information on the Innovate to Grow Fund and how to apply, visit here...  https://www.northwales-pcc.gov.uk/en/News/Latest-News/2022/Innovate-to-Grow-New-scheme-launches-to-recognise-crime-fighting-projects-across-North-Wales.aspx

[SteveH]

THE policing precept for North Wales - part of the force's funds raised from council taxes - increased by 3.69 per cent this year, following approval by the Police and Crime Panel in January.

That means just over £11 extra per year for a Band D property, but what does that money go towards?

We met with North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, as well as Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Wayne Jones, to find out.

Mr Dunbobbin said the increase was "by far" the lowest precept level in Wales, with some forces setting theirs between 5 and 5.5 per cent.

"We are being really active in keeping it as low as it can be," he said.
"We understand the cost-of-living crisis that people are experiencing.

"As for what the public will be getting from that, we have 28 constables going onto patrol to maintain operational response levels, 11 tutor constables to develop new officers and a dedicated public contact team to broaden the range of available contact methods.

"We want to have three domestic abuse constables, two more intelligence staff to exploit front line intelligence gathering and a DI in Western CID to ensure effective management of local crime - really honing in on that local and neighbourhood policing."

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20043845.pccs-aims-north-wales-police-precept-increases/

[SteveH]

NORTH WALES POLICE have issued a thanks to the public and West Conwy’s Neighbourhood Policing Team following a busy weekend in Llandudno.

As huge crowds gathered to celebrate the three-day Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza on the weekend, West Conwy Police officers were out ensuring the safety of all patrons.

With the Promenade, Mostyn Street and the surrounding side streets amassed with people, older vehicles, and rides, the event ran smoothly under the watchful eye of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “A big thanks to West Conwy Neighbourhood Policing Team for their commitment over the weekend in Policing the Llandudno Extravaganza.

“It has been a fantastic weekend and nice to see so many of you around Llandudno Town.

“Our officers would like to extend their thanks to the Llandudno Extravaganza organisers and security who have been nothing more than accommodating over the weekend.

[Ian]

Hmm.  Think that last sentence should read "Llandudno Extravaganza organisers and security who have been nothing less than accommodating over the weekend."

[SteveH]