We are now heading towards Christmas, which is a time to reflect on 2024 and to look forward to spending some time with family and friends. As we enter the festive period, I want to make you aware of some crime trends that are common at this time of year so that you can keep you and your families safe.
FRAUD: Please be aware that fraud, although common throughout the year does spike during the festive period. The most common type of fraud occurs online, where unsuspecting individuals open emails, click on links, or make purchases from fraudulent websites. The personal information they provide is then misused to carry out the fraud. Other types of fraud include bogus charities and canvassers who aim to tap into your good nature to convince you to make a charitable donation which unknowingly goes straight into the pocket of the suspects. Further information relating to fraud can be found at:
www.actionfraud.police.uk.
BURGLARY: Be mindful that burglars understand households may contain high value Christmas gifts during the festive period. Burglars are often known to conduct recces during daylight hours, looking for signs such as empty cardboard boxes in people’s front gardens (TV packaging for example), which would indicate high value items within. The burglar then returns during the hours of darkness to commit the burglary.
DRINK/DRUG DRIVING: The festive period sees an increase in the town’s night-time economy, mainly due to people enjoying their work Christmas parties. With this increase sees a direct increase in drink/drug driving cases. It goes without saying that Kent Police have a zero-tolerance policy toward these offences, as do the courts, where a conviction results in an automatic driving ban. This clearly would affect most people who may lose employment without use of a car. However, the more important thing to think about are those who may come to harm as a result of drink driving:
- An average of 666 people are killed in drink driving related accidents in Great Britain each year.
- An average of 3,551 people are seriously injured in drink driving related accidents in Great Britain each year.
Please contact police on
999 in an emergency or via
101 or the Kent Police website for non-urgent reporting.
As always, we would like to hear from you about any issues you are having, vulnerable persons living in your area and any reports of outstanding community work that have been done. We truly believe working in partnership with the local community to achieve the same common goal of:
Creating a safe, clean and caring community that we can be proud of and for others to aspire to.
Written by:
PC Jason Hills 13501
PC for Central Harbour Ward