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Crime Prevention in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby                      View this email in your browser

Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #567 - 23 August 2022

This weekly eNewsletter is compiled by Neighbourhood Watch volunteers as a service for residents in Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby council areas. The eNewsletter is a new type of Neighbourhood Watch; utilising the available technology to keep people more connected and up-to-date with local crime and safety issues. 

The eNewsletter includes a selection of posts from our local police at the Ku-ring-gai PAC Facebook page (also known as 'eyewatch'), primarily for those not familiar with Facebook. We add anything interesting from a Neighbourhood Watch point-of-view - this could be a local newspaper article, a roadwork warning, crime prevention tip(s), an upcoming Neighbourhood Watch meeting, Q&As from residents, or an item from another Police command ("Crooks know no boundaries!").

🚓 Have you seen anything we should share with the community?
Please email our NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby volunteers. We do value your contributions and thank you for your support.
🚓 Please feel free to share/forward this eNewsletter with your friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.
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18 August, from Ku-ring-gai command: A man has been charged following an investigation into two separate child approach incidents in Waitara.
Police will allege two girls were approached by an unknown man on Yardley Avenue, about 7am on Wednesday 29 June 2022, before he performed a sexual act in front of them. On another occasion, two girls were approached by the man about 5.20pm on Wednesday 17 August 2022 at the same location, when he performed a sexual act in front of them. Detectives from Ku-ring Gai Police Area Command and State Crime Command’s Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Ainsley to investigate the reports. Following inquiries, about 10.40am yesterday (Monday 22 August 2022), a 31-year-old man was arrested at a business on the Pacific Highway, Waitara. He was taken to Hornsby Police Station where he was charged with two counts of carry out sexual act with another without consent, and two counts of intentionally do sexual act with child >= 10yrs & < 16yrs. The man was granted conditional bail and will appear at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 28 September 2022.
18 August, from Ku-ring-gai command: Can you assist officers from Kuring-Gai Police Area Command, who are investigating reports of child approaches in the Waitara area?
Officers have been told two girls were approached by an unknown man on Yardley Avenue, Waitara, about 7am on Wednesday 29 June 2022. On another occasion, two girls were approached about 5.20pm on Wednesday 17 August 2022 at the same location. Strike Force Ainsely detectives are investigating the reports and would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries. He is described as being of slim build and has facial hair (a goatee). The man was seen wearing hi-visibility clothing and black shorts. Officers are also seeking assistance from members of the public who may have dashcam or CCTV footage around Yardley Avenue, Waitara, around 5pm on Wednesday 17 August 2022 and 7am on Wednesday 29 June 2022.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or
nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
An old Neghbourhood Watch leaflet lying on a table next to spectacles.
23 August, from Hornsby Shire Council/NSW Rural Assistance Authority: FLOOD AND STORMS RECOVERY ⛈🧡ℹ️
NSW Rural Assistance Authority's Rural Landholder Grants of up to $25,000 are available now for landholders and oyster farmers affected by the recent floods in eligible Local Government Areas, including Hornsby.
ℹ️ For more information, to check your eligibility and to apply, see
here.

Dementia Alliance

Today Ku-ring-gai council invited individuals, community groups and organisations to a Dementia Alliance. Ku-ring-gai Council is advancing a plan for Ku-ring-gai to become a Dementia Friendly Community – that is, a community in which those living with any form of dementia, and their family and friends, feel confident and happy stepping into and participating in public spaces. “Our aim is to build understanding, awareness and acceptance of dementia in the community. We can make public encounters far easier for those living with dementia in many ways, including learning how to respond to their varied needs, providing welcoming activities and programs, creating environments with neurodiversity in mind, and educating customer-facing staff in retail and commercial organisations to a deep understanding of behaviours associated with dementia.”

Ku-ring-gai has over 25% of residents over 60years old. 1125 residents in the 2021 census identified as living with dementia.

Please visit the Dementia Australia website and become a ‘Dementia Friend’:
https://www.dementiafriendly.org.au/
We heard today about the Hidden Disability Sunflower lanyard, which is one of the suggestions to adopt: https://hiddendisabilitiesshop.com.au/

The Dementia Alliance is initiated by council, but would be community run. It would have these aims:
  • -To de-stigmatise Dementia
  • -To help the community have a better understanding of Dementia
  • -To pursue ‘inclusion’ for those with Dementia.
People living with Dementia are still the same person and are equally deserving of respect.

We will keep you up-to-date as we learn more about how we can help.

23 August, from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC): ACCC warning of suspicious messages as “Hi Mum” scams spike
Scamwatch is urging the public to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in “Hi Mum” scams in recent months. More than 1,150 Australians fell victim to the so-called “Hi Mum” scam in the first seven months of this year, with total reported losses of $2.6 million. The vast majority of these scams were reported in June and July 2022. Known as “Hi Mum” or “family impersonation” scams, victims are contacted - most often through WhatsApp - by a scammer posing as a family member or friend. The scammer will claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number. Then, once they have developed a rapport with their target, the scammer will ask for personal information such as photos for their social media profile or money to help urgently pay a bill, contractor or replace the phone. These requests continue the ruse of a lost or broken phone with the justification that the funds are needed because they can’t access their online banking temporarily. Some messages will simply say “it’s me,” while in other cases the scammers appear to have contact information and use the name of the person they are impersonating....

Full Media Release
here.
23 August, Shared with permission from the Pymble and West Pymble Community group: This absolute weasel decided to tear open our Everyplate box on Saturday night just after 3am for no reason other than to ruin a weeks worth of groceries for fun, that or he/she was deliberately looking to steal from parcels in the area and only found a meal kit.
Either way what a disgrace. 888 Pacific Highway Gordon. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks.



23 August, from NSW Pliec Force: Are you a relative of an Australian long-term missing person looking to participate in the #NationalDNAProgram? 🧬
Regardless of how long ago your loved one went missing, you can participate in the Program by formally reporting them missing and providing vital information via the online Missing Person Details Form, as well as dental/medical records and DNA samples for national searching and matching. This will allow the police investigators and forensic scientists to link unidentified and missing persons, and provide you with answers.

For more details visit 
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre
For the Missing Person Details Form, head to: https://forms.afp.gov.au/online_forms/missing-person-details

22 August, from Crime Stoppers NSW: NSW Police have been utilising a SMS geo-targeting alert system to help locate high-risk missing persons across the state.
Police are working with Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom to implement the tool, which uses the Emergency Alert framework. Emergency Alert is a national telephone warning system that allows emergency services to send out alerts in the event of bushfires, floods or other extreme weather conditions. The tool will be used in only high-risk circumstances, with an assessment of all available information to be undertaken before a geographically targeted SMS message is sent. Missing persons considered at high risk include people living with dementia who may wander from their homes and young children who go missing in large crowds. This SMS alert system helps police in finding high risk missing persons with the help of the community in the area.


20 August, from Australian Cyber Security Centre: This #ActNowStaySecure campaign, we are encouraging businesses to protect themselves against ransomware.
Watch our cyber security story on the importance of securing your information and how to protect yourself and your business from a ransomware attack at 
cyber.gov.au/ransomware.

20 August, from Slim Dig Saker: ** STOLEN ** $5,000 Reward **
2021 ASV RT60SS Posi Track Loader
Stolen sometime between Thursday 4pm 11th August – Monday 15th August 7am.
From Private Yard at Doyalson Link Road - Pacific Highway, Doyalson.
** $5,000 reward for safe return or information leading to the safe return **
Whilst these machines are common, this Posi is a 2021 model, you can’t buy them new in Australia until next year.
Ph Jason 0411 951 498. Any information can be treated strictly confidential - this is a massive loss for our business after an already tough year.
Please share!!


Dates for the Diary

Sunday 04 - Saturday 10 September: National Child Protection week
Thursday 08 September: RU OK? Day Info.
Wednesday 14 September: 10am-12noon Hornsby RSL Coffee Club - Speaker: NHW Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby. NHW Crime Prevention stall.
Sunday 25 September: St Ives Food & Wine Festival 10am - NHW crime prevention stall? tbc
Wednesday 05 October: International Coffee with a Cop Day
Wednesday 26 October: 6pm NHW Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby volunteers meeting @ PCYC, Waitara. Date/Venue tbc.
November: Neighbourhood Watch Week
Wednesday 30 November: 7pm NHW Gordon/Killara/East Killara/part Pymble/part St Ives AGM @ St John's Anglican Church, Gordon. NHW Crime Prevention stall.

From NHW in Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby: 'Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses'

Tip #7. REGISTER ANY CAMERAS ON YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM WITH THE NSW Police Force
CCTV Register.
Tip #17. DO REGULAR STOCK TAKES, EVEN HOURLY, IN ORDER TO NARROW THE TIME FRAME OF A THEFT. This enables CCTV to be checked more effectively.
Tip #19. DO YOU ENJOY A POETS DAY DRINK? Ensure employees have a designated driver, or alternative way to get home.
Tip #20. ENSURE ALL EMPLOYEES KNOW ALL PHONE NUMBERS & CONTACT DETAILS FOR EVERY KIND OF EMERGENCY. REPORT EVERYTHING THAT DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE RIGHT. Trust your instincts. Warn fellow businesses.

For more tips and translations, look at our website 'Tips' page here. Or try our WatchOut! website here, for links to some great information available on the internet. Or request a copy in your inbox here.


Thanks to NSW Road Safety
IMPORTANT CONTACTS & LINKS

Emergency (Police/Fire/Ambulance): 000
TTY: 106

NSW Police - Ku-ring-gai Police Area Command (PAC): 9476 9799
Hornsby Police Station, 292 Peats Ferry Road, Hornsby 2077

Local Police Facebook page: 
@Kuring Gai PAC 
Non-emergency two-way communication

Police Assistance Line (PAL): 131 444
For non-urgent minor crime.


NSW Police Community Portal
Online reporting of non-emergency minor crime: lost property, intentional damage, graffiti or theft.

Interpreting & Translating Services: 131 450


NSW Police - website for crime prevention advice
Never be afraid or embarrassed to report a crime, concern or fear you have to the Police. The Police are here to help you.


Crime Stoppers NSW: 1800 333 000
Report crime anonymously
Report suspicious activity ASAP

 
Neighbourhood Watch within Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby:
Website 
au-NHWKuringgaiHornsby.org
Facebook @NHWKuringgaiHornsby
Facebook Group NHWKuringgaiHornsby
Twitter @NHWKRGHornsby
Email NHWKuringgaiHornsby@gmail.com


 
WatchOut! - the NHW NSW one-stop-shop for crime prevention links:
Website  WatchOut.org.au
Facebook @NHWWatchOut

 
Local Facebook pages/groups:
Neighbourhood Watch - Berowra 
Brooklyn Neighbourhood Watch
Neighbourhood Watch - East Killara
Neighbourhood Watch - Galston, Glenorie, Arcadia, Dural (Rural Areas)
NHW Galston, Glenorie, Arcadia & Dural (Rural Areas) Facebook Group
Neighbourhood Watch - Gordon
Neighbourhood Watch - Hornsby
Neighbourhood Watch - Killara
Neighbourhood Watch - Mt Colah
Neighbourhood Watch - Mt Kuring-gai
Neighbourhood Watch - Normanhurst
Neighbourhood Watch - Pennant Hills
Neighbourhood Watch - St Ives
Neighbourhood Watch - Thornleigh
Neighbourhood Watch - Turramurra
Neighbourhood Watch - Wahroonga

Neighbourhood Watch - Warrawee

Face-to-Face/printed newsletter groups:
Neighbourhood Watch - East Killara
Neighbourhood Watch - Gordon (part)/Killara (part)/Pymble (part)
Neighbourhood Watch - Hornsby (Jubilee St)
Neighbourhood Watch - Mt Colah
Neighbourhood Watch - St Ives (Lynbara Ave)
Neighbourhood Watch - Turramurra (The Chase)
Twitter
Facebook
Website
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