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

Neighbourhood Watch in
Ku-ring-gai and Hornsby

eNewsletter #481 - 29 December 2020

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.
🚓 Reading our eNewsletter for the first time? 
Click here to subscribe.
29 December, from NSW Government
There have been changes to NYE Celebrations.
◾ The CBD frontline worker fireworks vantage point offering is cancelled. Frontline workers will be offered another opportunity in 2021.
◾ Hospitality venues will remain open but must adhere to the 1 person per 4 square metres rule.
◾ A short, seven minute fireworks display will continue at midnight.
For more info visit site here.
28 December, from Ku-ring-Gai Police Area Command:
If you're planning an adventure these holidays, download this app before you go.
The #emergencyplus app is a free, life-saving tool to help people call the right number and be found easily in an emergency, anywhere in Australia.
With @what3words now a feature within the Emergency+ app , (as well as street address and GPS Coordinates) callers can now describe their exact location in an emergency, quickly and easily, with just three words.
Every 3 metre square in the world has been given a what3words address so you can #HelpTripleZeroFindYou with a unique three-word combination.
Download the free emergency app today!
Available on the App Store here.
Android App available on the Google Play Store here.
27 December, from Ku-ring-gai command:
Summer is a popular time for going on holidays, and we are reminding people to take some time to assess their home security before they head away.
Most of the recommended precautions are very simple, particularly just checking to make sure doors and windows are locked and secured – an unlocked window in an empty home, full of valuables, is an opportunistic thief’s dream.
We also recommend limiting what you post on social media about your holiday, especially if your home will be unattended for an extended period.
It’s relatively inexpensive to put a good lock on your letterbox and ask someone you trust to empty it regularly – or organise to have your mail held at your local post office while your'e away.
The NSW Police Force has a wealth of information about safety and security, including fact sheets, available here.
If you have concerns about possible criminal activity in your local neighbourhood, call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page here.
26 December, from Ku-ring-gai command:
Heading away for your summer holiday?
Double-demerit points are in force for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences. NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.
So please travel through the holiday season with safety at top of mind, towards a better 2021.
26 December, from Ku-ring-Gai Police Area Command
Avoiding the crowds at busy shopping centres is just one of the reasons many of us prefer to shop online during this time.
Be warned, scammers don’t take holidays! They rely on you being busy and letting your guard down when purchasing online.
Scammers often set up legitimate-looking websites or social media stores to trick you into handing over your money or personal details.
So if you're taking part of the Box Day sales online, here are some tips:
* Make your online purchase from known legitimate sites that offer secure payments and offer you a customer protection.
* Avoid conducting direct bank transfers or use of international money transfer service providers that do not give you a customer protection.
*Please be aware that if you step outside of regulated payment protection rules, you will not be protected and reimbursed for your lost funds.
* Check the information about the seller on online public forums for the review and opinions about the seller.
Fore more information on online shopping scams, click
here.
25 December, from Ku-ring-Gai Police Area Command:
Domestic violence is never acceptable. If you, or someone you know, is experiencing domestic violence, call police on 131 444. In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000).
Watch video
here.
23 December, from NSW Health
NSW Health is aware of COVID-19 scam text messages asking for donations or confirming positive COVID-19 test results. NSW Health is also aware of a scam asking for donations for BreastScreen NSW.
BreastScreen NSW is a part of NSW Health. NSW Health will never seek donations or notify people of positive COVID-19 results by text message.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you will get a phone call from NSW Health as a priority and told what to do next. You might be contacted from a private number so please pick up private calls when waiting to hear back about test results.
If you think you have received a scam text, please report it online here or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 (24/7).
Always use reliable and trusted sources of information on COVID-19 including the NSW Government and NSW Health websites or by following us on social media.
More information
here.
23 December, from Ku-ring-gai command:
NSW Police are encouraging motorists to travel through the holiday season with safety at top of mind, towards a better 2021.
The state-wide Christmas and New Year road-safety operation starts at midnight (12.01am on Thursday 24 December 2020) and concludes 11.59pm on Sunday 3 January 2021.
Double-demerit points are in force throughout the period for speeding, seatbelt, mobile phone and motorcycle helmet offences.
NSW Police officers will also be targeting other high-risk driver behaviour, including the Four Ds; drink, drug, dangerous and distracted driving.
Watch video
here.
22 December, from NSW police Force
SCAM Alert! Have you had a call from an unfamiliar number starting with 0488 813?
We're getting reports of a new scam doing the rounds, with people receiving calls from a number starting with 0488 813 XYX - the last three digits differ from call to call. The calls appear to originate from a VoIP phone.
The caller introduced themselves as being from 'technical support' and requested remote access to the recipient's computer.
Several other people stated that the caller pretended to be from a government authority and requested personal information such as name, date of birth and address.
If you receive such a call and the caller is not known to you, please consider hanging up. Please be mindful of providing your personal information over the phone. If you've been scammed, contact Scamwatch here.
28 December, from North Shore Police Area Command
LINDFIELD- 24/11/20- North Shore Police would like to speak to the person depicted in the images below.
If you know this person please call North Shore PAC on 9414 8499 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
27 December, Recall: nudie nothing but 2 apples 200ml
24 December 2020
The NSW Food Authority advises:
Monde Nissan Australia Pty Ltd (nudie Foods) is conducting a recall of nudie nothing but 2 apples 200ml. The product has been available for sale at independent food retailers including IGA in NSW, VIC and SA and independent food retailers in QLD, TAS and WA and Woolworths nationally.
Product details:
nudie nothing but 2 apples 200ml
BEST BEFORE 18-JUNE-21
(All other Best Before dates are not affected)
Problem: The recall is due to microbial (mycotoxin – patulin) contamination.
Food safety hazard: Food products containing the mycotoxin patulin may cause illness if consumed.
Country of origin: Australia
What to do: Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.
For further information please contact:
Monde Nissan Australia Pty Ltd
1800 466 834
info@nudie.com.au
27 December, Shared with permission from the Pymble and West Pymble Community group 24 December:
Just want to let you all know that there was some suspicious activity outside of my neighbour house just right next door during the night between 3-4am last night (Kulgoa Road, Pymble).
A man wearing a mask driving an old twin cab Ute was acting strangely. They have contacted Police. I’m quite sure that he went into our garden/pool too as I heard some noise outside but I wasn’t sure about it as I thought I was probably dreaming so I didn’t check and I went back to sleep instead.
Just a reminder to double check your security over the festive period, especially as “they” know that a lot of people are away.
Merry Xmas everyone! 🎄
27 December, from NSW Health: Thank you to all NSW Health Pathology staff – pathologists, scientists, technicians, collectors, couriers and support services - working around the clock to keep us all safe. They’ve worked with private pathology to perform over 60,000 COVID-19 tests in the last 24 hours. Record numbers and an outstanding effort.
Please continue to help our pathology and healthcare staff by doing your bit. At the slightest symptom get a COVID-19 test immediately and self-isolate until you have a negative result. Most people in NSW are still receiving their test results within 24 hours. If you have been asked to self-isolate because you are a close contact of a confirmed case, you must remain in isolation for 14 days, even if you get a negative test result.
Testing clinics in NSW will be open every day, including all public holidays. There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing locations across NSW, many of which are open seven days a week. To find your nearest clinic visit site here or contact your GP.
For the latest case locations, visit
site here.
27 December, Belrose Hotel is sharing a COVID-19 Update.
ATTENTION CUSTOMERS!
We have had confirmation from NSW Health that a COVID positive patient visited The Belrose Hotel on the 11th December, 2020 during their incubation period (they were not infectious on this date).
Any patron who was at the hotel on the 11th December, 2020 must go and have a COVID swab test immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
More broadly, anyone who has visited The Belrose Hotel in December and has, or has had, any symptoms of COVID must go and have a COVID swab test immediately and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
We are working closely with NSW Health and have passed on all our QR Code patron information for that date.
We hope you are all keeping safe and well.
Regards
Kaine Bayfield
Chief Operating Officer
Bayfield Hotel Group
Dates for the diary

Thursday 24 December - Sunday 03 January: Double demerits
25 December, from Chan Nyein Thu, Scam Watchdog Australia
This is the worst Christmas ever. I was in the process of buying my first home with the final settlement being due on Wednesday and on Tuesday, I found out that I have been scammed $133,000 by someone who posed as my conveyancer. The scammer used fake email addresses of my property agent and conveyancer and the difference in the email address is only one extra alphabet in the name and without .au in the email addresses. I did not notice the differences in email addresses and ending up transferring $110,000 for the deposit and $23,000 for the stamp duty fees. My heart is absolutely shattered. Two years of hard earned money’s gone down the drain and I am waking up every day with anxiety and depression. The bank advised the money is no longer in the recipients bank account and they are doing some tracing but cannot promise if I would get any of it back. It was meant to be for my first home for me and my wife. I am from Perth WA and I just wanted to raise some awareness so that no home buyers shall become the victims of this type of scam in the future.
24 December: Recall: Woolworths Cooked and Peeled Cocktail Prawns 1kg
23 December 2020
The NSW Food Authority advises:
Woolworths is conducting a recall of Woolworths Cooked and Peeled Cocktail Prawns 1kg. The product has been available for sale at Woolworths stores in NSW (in stores surrounding the ACT), VIC, SA, NT, TAS, ACT and WA and at Woolworths Metro stores in VIC and ACT.
Product details:
Woolworths Cooked and Peeled Cocktail Prawns 1kg
Best Before 21 02 2022
Problem: The recall is due to potential microbial contamination.
Food safety hazard: Food products with potential microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed.
Country of origin: Thailand.
What to do: Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.
For further information please contact:
Woolworths
1800 103 515
23 December, from Crime Stoppers NSW
With advancements in bike technology and some bikes now worth more cars, bikes are hot property, not just for bike lovers, but for thieves.
Bike sales are sitting at $1.2 million annually and this year has seen the demand surge by 60% compared to last year. Much of this has been brought on by COVID-19 with people wanting to move around in a COVID safe way as well as seeking a safe form of exercise for families. This demand has led to a shortage and put bikes on the radar for thieves to sell in the buoyant used bike market.
Crime Stoppers has partnered with BikeVAULT and Bicycle NSW to help reduce theft and increase the chances of stolen bikes being recovered.
BikeVAULT - a national online bike platform originally launched in 2015, is a free community service where bike owners can store their bike’s details. So, in case it’s stolen and recovered, the bike can be tracked and returned to the owner.
BikeVAULT combines the forces of industry – Crime Stoppers, the Police, bike owners and the wider community – to expose and defeat the illicit trade in stolen bikes.
Additionally, when buying a used bike, you can check to see if the bike you are buying is stolen property, ie. chain of custody.
In the unfortunate event a bike is stolen, BikeVAULT provides support and online resources to aid finding the bike and the steps to take to increase the odds of recovery by police. A major part of its success is its large social media following.
This ever-growing community helps bring awareness to the stolen bikes by having spotters who trawl for and report stolen bikes found for sale online and at less reputable retail premises.
The power of an informed community cannot be overestimated. Prior to the launch of this register, stolen bikes were easy to sell for quick profits with perpetrators having little fear of the stolen bike being identified and them being caught. Removing the pathways to safely sell and profit from stolen property is the ultimate deterrent to profit driven theft.
A resident from Westmead, Dave, had his bike stolen from a locker whereby the thief used a crowbar to break it free. “I entered my bike’s details on BikeVAULT and the Police portal. Several weeks later, someone saw my bike for sale, realised it was stolen and reported it. Thanks to the Police and BikeVAULT community I managed to get my bike back. I would recommend anyone who owns a bike to make sure they register their bike’s details. You will have a much better chance of having it recovered”.
“We want to encourage all bike owners to use this free service for your bike, increase its identification to deter thieves and make it easier to recover. If you are thinking of buying a bike check BikeVAULT before you purchase a bike to ensure it isn’t stolen and please report stolen bikes. With the community working together we can prevent and reduce crime in our community”, said NSW Crime Stoppers, CEO, Mr Peter Price AM.
Crime Stoppers, BikeVAULT and Bicycle NSW will be working together on a dedicated campaign to garner a groundswell of community support and action to reduce bike theft.
More information or to enter your bike’s identification details can be found here.
23 December, from Australian Federal Police
A 19-year-old Melbourne woman has been banned from Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin flights after posting a ‘joke’ about committing a terrorist attack on Tik Tok whilst boarding a flight from Melbourne to Queensland.
The video prompted multiple calls to the National Security Hotline, and a rapid response from AFP, Victoria Police and Queensland Police Service.
Regardless of intent, jokes about committing a terrorist attack and airline security are never a laughing matter and may have unintended consequences.
Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.
23 December, Shared with permission from St Ives Community group:
Hi SNIVES,
My mum lost a silver locket yesterday with a photo of a girl in it. Locket is round, silver with green celtic green etching on the front.
If found she will be overwhelmed with joy.
Unfortunately don't have a picture that is close enough to be worth putting up.
Thank you!
22 December, One from the archives (#110 eNewsletter 04 November 2013):
Recently renovated?
Our Tip: Why not walk around the house with a video camera, recording the objects and contents in each room, opening each cupboard and each drawer to see inside? Include the shed, garage, garden ornaments, roof, cellar etc. In this manner you have a record of all your possessions, and an easy method of recalling what was in each room and where. It can assist with the annual job of reassessing the value of your contents insurance, or in the unfortunate event of a burglary.
Taken from 'Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips to Protect your Identity:
Tip #2. Use a phantom date of birth when you subscribe or register online. It may be a compulsory field, however, it is NOT legally required. For example use 01/01/ followed by your year of birth - to keep your age demographic intact, but your identity safe.
Tip #4. Never share your PIN. Beware sharing the 3-4 digit Card Verification Value (CVV), usually on the back of a credit card. Immediately sign new cards. Check internet sites are secure for payment by looking on the address bar for the the padlock symbol, green background colour, or the ‘s’ in the ‘https’ prefix. Untick the box: ‘Keep these payment details on file’.

Tip #5. Encrypt and password protect all sensitive files. Consider encrypting your device. Use encrypted messaging systems (such as Signal). Consider using Virtual Private Networks (VPN). Forget wi-fi networks once used. Browse using ‘incognito’ mode, in order to stop the logging of browser history.
Tip #7. Install Firewall software, anti-virus and anti-malware systems on all internet devices, including your mobile phone. Keep up-to-date – consider setting updates to ‘Auto’. Ensure you install the latest software updates and patches to your devices, as these close any vulnerabilities to threats. Install/use only one anti-virus at a time. Download Apps from only the official stores.

Tip #11.  Keep your maibox secure. Put a lock on your mailbox – consider a ‘Tubular Pin Tumbler Lock’. Remove mail regularly. Don’t allow your mailbox to overflow. Know when important documents are expected to arrive, and investigate if they are late.

Did you know our website has a Tips page with "Our 20 Favourite Crime Prevention Tips to Protect your IDentity" along with many others to download free? https://nhwkuringgaihornsby.org.au/tips/
From Cop Humour Australia

 
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 (Only victims may report.)


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
NHWKuringgaiHornsby.org.au
Facebook @NHWKuringgaiHornsby
Facebook Group NHWKuringgaiHornsby
Twitter @NHWKRGHornsby
Email NHWKuringgaiHornsby@gmail.com


 
WatchOut! - our own 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
Gordon (NSW) Community (incl NHW) Facebook Group
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
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Copyright © 2020 Neighbourhood Watch within Ku-ring-gai & Hornsby, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp