Neighbourhood Watch & Community Safety

types of BURGLARY

Opportunistic

Burglars are often opportunistic thieves who prey on houses and flats. They seek out any opening that they can take advantage of, specifically doors and windows that are left open or unlocked or are easy to force. Anything of value that they might spot through a window will only spur them on. But it really doesn’t take much

Opportunistic

Burglar facts

Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. A sure giveaway is leaving packaging from expensive items outside your front door
Burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open or with vulnerable features that they can exploit.
Burglars are aware of the times when someone is expected to be away from their house such as during the school run or holidays
Burglars typically do not want to be seen or heard and if they feel that they would be noticed by a neighbour or passerby then they are more likely to feel exposed and may move on to find somewhere else to burgle
Burglars often choose a home because they’ve spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence
Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as they are not that secure and contain tools which the burglar can use to assist them to gain entry to a home
It’s a fact that many burglars return to homes that they’ve previously burgled because the homeowner failed to upgrade security following the first burglary. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break in. Even more reason for you to ensure you keep your home as safe as houses

For more information on keeping your property secure please www.leics.police.uk

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Distraction Burglary

Distraction burglars pretend to be someone they are not in order to gain entry to your home.

Common methods used by distraction burglars

pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak
seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water

Distraction Burglary

Distraction burglars pretend to be someone they are not in order to gain entry to your home.

Common methods used by distraction burglars

pretending to be from a care agency, the council or a utility company investigating a gas or water leak
seeking help to leave a note for a neighbour or even asking for a drink of water if they claim to be thirsty or unwell
claiming to be in a hurry or emergency and needing to get into your home quickly
working in teams, with one person distracting you while the other searches your home

How to prevent it

There are a number of things you can do to prevent distraction burglary. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about anyone at your door – genuine callers won’t mind. Always remember 'if in doubt, keep them out':

use your door viewer to see who’s there
if you open the door put the chain on first
always ask for ID and check it with the company before letting somebody into your home
use the phone number advertised in the phone book or online, as the number on their identity card could be fake. For a utility company, call the customer service department. Close the door while you do this
if you feel at all unsure, schedule a time for the caller to come back when a friend or relative is there
for pre-planned appointments with utility companies, a password scheme can be set up

If you feel threatened or in danger by the presence of the caller, call 999.

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cyber crime

Several million cases of fraud and of computer misuse are reported to the police every year. It's staggering, but even more staggering is that so many of those crimes could have been prevented by making a few small changes in online behaviour.

To avoid becoming a victim of online crime you don’t need to be a computer expert. Developing a few good online habits drastically reduces your chances of becoming a victim of cyber crime, makes you less vulnerable and lets you use the web safely.

Visit Cyber Aware for step-by-step instructions on keeping your devices up-to-date with the latest security updates, and for more online security advice.

Online fraud, also known as cyber crime, covers all crimes that:

take place online
are committed using computers, or
are assisted by online technology

How to reduce your chances of becoming a victim

There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk of cybercrime:

when creating passwords, use three unrelated words, eg fishbooktable; and think of three different words for each account. This means that if one is compromised the others are safe
never give personal or sensitive details out online or over email
make sure all devices have up-to-date anti-virus software and a firewall installed
keep software and apps regularly updated
only download from legal, trusted websites
only open emails and attachments from known and trusted sources
only ever use websites that start with https://, however make sure that you're on the correct site by sense-checking the full website address
avoid using public WiFi hotspots that are not secure, use your mobile data. If you have no choice but to use Public WiFi, then only use it with a Virtual Private Network enabled on your device
regularly back up your data
control your social media accounts – regularly check your privacy settings and how your data is being used and shared
be cautious of internet chats and online dating – there’s no guarantee you’re speaking to who you think
be extremely cautious if you’re asked for money

Passkeys

Where supported, consider using passkeys instead of passwords. They are secure and protect against common crimes, like phishing. This is because passkeys don't use passwords. That means there's nothing for criminals to steal.

Many organisations now support passkeys. This includes the NHS, Google, Apple and Microsoft. You can usually find out how to set up a passkey in the Help or Support section of the company where you have your account.

Email and text scams

Be careful when opening emails and texts, especially if you don't know the sender. If an email or text is unexpected or seems unusual, even if it’s from someone you know, ignore it and contact the sender directly to check if they sent it.

Your bank, the police and reputable companies will never ask for sensitive or financial details via email, phone or text.

To protect yourself from scams, known as 'phishing':

don’t open attachments or click on links in emails or texts from senders you don’t know
never give out personal information, financial details or passwords in response to an email, when you receive an unexpected phone call or in response to a text message
set up spam filters on all of your accounts
don’t respond to emails or texts from unknown sources
always go to a website directly, by typing out the address yourself, when logging into an account

Social networking

Social networks are a great way of keeping in touch with friends and family, but be careful about how much personal information you share.

Once you post or share something on any social media platform it’s out of your control and could be shared and used by others, even if you delete it.

Make sure you:

set your privacy settings to the highest level and check them regularly as updates can affect settings
don’t add or accept ‘friend’ requests from people you don’t know
where possible, block apps and social media sites from tracking and showing your location, to stop people you don’t know from following you
think carefully about the images, videos and content that you share
remember that if you wouldn’t do or say it in the real world, don’t do it online

How to spot a fake website

If an online offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. To help spot a fake site:

sense check the domain name
are the prices too good to be true?
never pay by bank transfer – legitimate sites will accept payment via usual methods, such as bank card and PayPal
read the terms and conditions, and policies, to check they're clear and fair

Back up your data

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access to it unless they pay a ransom.

Regularly back up all your documents and photos in at least one other place to minimise the risk of losing everything if you get a ransomware virus. You can back up data onto:

a USB stick
an external hard drive, making sure that the drive isn't connected at all times, as ransomware can infect devices connected to your network
a cloud server, making sure that the password you use for cloud servers and backups is a strong password and one you don't use anywhere else

Tips for parents and guardians

The internet lets children connect with friends and learn new things. But there are also dangers to going online, and children can be particularly vulnerable.

Talking to your child is one of the best ways to keep them safe online. By understanding the risks and keeping yourself up-to-date on the latest technology, websites and social networks you can help your child enjoy the internet safely and securely.

To help protect your children online:

keep computers and games consoles in family rooms where you can monitor activity
install parental control software or activate parental controls through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to prevent access to inappropriate content
‘friend’ or ‘follow’ your child on social networks, so you can see how they're using them
check age restrictions for websites or social networks to make sure your children are allowed to join
advise your child not to post personal information or any images they wouldn’t want everyone to see
check their social media accounts’ privacy settings, so their posts are only seen by friends and their location isn’t tracked
avoid using webcams unless talking to close friends or family, and consider covering it when not in use
monitor how your children use the internet and watch for any secretive behaviour
encourage your child to be open about what they do online and who they’re talking to
insist you go with them if they wish to meet online friends
ensure the games your children play online are age appropriate

Report cyber crime

If you are currently being subjected to a live and ongoing cyber-attack then please contact us on 101.

If you suspect you’ve been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime, the Report Fraud team can also provide the help, support and advice you need.

Call Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (textphone 0300 123 2050).

Further advice and support

We recommend you check your privacy settings and stop people following you that you don’t know on Facebook.

You should also check your privacy settings on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

Report Fraud – the UK’s national cyber crime and fraud reporting service

Cyber Aware – essential advice on protecting yourself online

National Cyber Security Centre – helping to make the UK safer to live and do business in the UK

National cyber resilience centre group - a policing-led, not-for-profit organisation, protecting businesses from cyber-related crime

beware of winter fuel PAYMENT scams

Between April and September 2025, Action Fraud has received 2,790 crime reports relating to Winter Fuel Payment scams, with victims reporting losses totalling over £27,000.

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything. If you receive any text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.

Not sure if a me

Between April and September 2025, Action Fraud has received 2,790 crime reports relating to Winter Fuel Payment scams, with victims reporting losses totalling over £27,000.

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything. If you receive any text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.

Not sure if a message is real? Contact the organisation directly using the contact details on their official website, not the number or web address in the message. Your bank (or any other official source) won’t ask you to supply personal information by email or text message.

If you have spotted a suspicious SMS or RCS message, you can report it for FREE by forwarding it to 7726.

If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101.

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What to look for

Urgent or threatening tone: The email creates a sense of panic to make you act without thinking, often threatening negative consequences like account closure or arrest.
Generic greetings: It addresses you with a generic term like "Dear Customer" instead of your name.
Spelling and grammar errors: The message contains obvious mistakes that a

Urgent or threatening tone: The email creates a sense of panic to make you act without thinking, often threatening negative consequences like account closure or arrest.
Generic greetings: It addresses you with a generic term like "Dear Customer" instead of your name.
Spelling and grammar errors: The message contains obvious mistakes that a professional organization would not typically make.
Requests for personal information: It asks for sensitive data such as passwords, bank account numbers, or Social Security numbers.
Suspicious links: The email contains links that are misspelled, look similar to a legitimate address but are slightly different, or go to a fake website when hovered over.
Unexpected attachments: You receive a document or file you weren't expecting.
Offers that are too good to be true: It promises a reward, refund, or prize that seems unlikely.

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What to do

Do not click links or open attachments: These can lead to malicious websites or download viruses onto your device.
Do not reply: Do not respond to the email to provide information or confirm details.
Do not call: Do not use phone numbers provided in the email, as they will connect you to scammers.
Verify independently: If you are c

What to do

Do not click links or open attachments: These can lead to malicious websites or download viruses onto your device.
Do not reply: Do not respond to the email to provide information or confirm details.
Do not call: Do not use phone numbers provided in the email, as they will connect you to scammers.
Verify independently: If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization directly using contact information from their official website or a statement you trust, not from the email itself.
Report it: Report the email as spam or phishing through your email provider and consider forwarding it to a relevant authority, like the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) in the UK, to help protect others.

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property Scam and mobile phone Theft

New Scam Alert: Protect yourself from payment diversion fraud when buying a new property

Between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, 143 cases of conveyancing fraud were reported to Action Fraud, resulting in £11.7 million in losses. The vast majority involved residential property transactions,

accounting for 140 reports and £10.97 million in losses, with an average loss of £78,393 per case.

What is conveyancing fraud or payment diversion fraud?

Conveyancing fraud, also referred to as lawyer or solicitor impersonation fraud, occurs when criminals gain access to email chains between property buyers, sellers, solicitors, and estate agents. Once inside, they impersonate a trusted party and send convincing messages requesting that funds, such as deposits or final payments, be transferred to bank accounts under their control.

These scams are often timed to coincide with the final stages of a transaction, when large sums are expected to be moved quickly. Fraudsters apply pressure, claiming urgency, and convincing victims that delays could jeopardise the deal.

This type of fraud isn’t limited to home purchases - it has also been reported in rental agreements and probate transactions, where funds are transferred as part of estate settlements. Fraudsters will often use hacked or spoofed email accounts so that their messages can appear highly authentic. Victims may not realise they’ve been deceived until the money is gone.

How to protect yourself from conveyancing fraud:

Receiving bank details securely: always get your solicitor’s bank details in-person or over the phone at the start of the conveyancing process, and request that any changes to these details be communicated with you in-person, by phone call, or by letter.
Email or texts asking you to change bank details: if you receive a message that feels suspicious, such as a request from your solicitor asking you to amend payment information, STOP! Think fraud. Contact your solicitor directly, over the phone or in-person, and verify that the request was genuine.
Prioritise your email security: you should use three random words to create a strong and separate password for your email account. Enable two-step verification to add an extra level of security.

What to do if you are a victim of conveyancing fraud:

If you have made a payment: inform your bank as soon as possible, they can help you prevent any further losses.
Report: if you become the victim of conveyancing fraud, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud online at http://actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. If you're in Scotland, you can report it to Police Scotland on 101.
You could be targeted again: fraudsters sometimes re-establish contact with previous victims claiming that they can help them recover lost money, this is just a secondary scam. Hang up on any callers that claim they can get your money back for you.

Mobile Phone Theft

New Scam Alert: Protect yourself from payment diversion fraud when buying a new property

Statistics show that phone thefts have been increasing, particularly in urban areas. According to the Crime Survey for England and Wales, an estimated 78,000 people had phones or bags snatched from them on the street last year. That is a 153% increase on the number of incidents.

We’ve pulled together information on how to protect your data and what to do if you have had your phone stolen. We are running a mobile phone theft survey to find out what your experiences and concerns are.

NEW QUISHING ALERT £3.5 MILLION LOST LAST TO FRAUDULENT QR CODES

Action Fraud is urging people to look out for rogue QR codes, after 784 reports of ‘quishing’ were made to Action Fraud between April 2024 and April 2025, with almost £3.5 million lost.

A new alert has been issued by Action Fraud, warning about quishing, a form of phishing where a fraudulent QR code is scanned, designed to steal personal and financial information. The warning encourages people to stay vigilant and double check QR codes to see if they are malicious, or have been tampered with, before scanning them online or in public spaces.

You can follow our advice on quishing, on our website at www.actionfraud.police.uk to help protect yourself.”

Action Fraud can reveal that quishing happens most frequently in car parks, with criminals using stickers to tamper with QR codes on parking machines. Quishing also occurred on online shopping platforms, where sellers received a QR code via email to either verify accounts or to receive payment for sold items.

Reports also showed phishing attacks were taking place impersonating HMRC, or other UK government schemes, targeting people with QR codes designed to steal personal and financial details.

What can you do avoid being a victim of quishing?

QR codes used in pubs or restaurants are usually safe to scan.
Scanning QR codes in open spaces (like stations and car parks) might pose a greater risk. Check for signs that codes may have been tampered with (usually by a sticker placed over the legitimate QR code). If in doubt, do not scan them: use a search engine to find the official website or app for the organisation you need to make a payment to.
If you receive an email with a QR code in it, and you're asked to scan it, you should be cautious due to an increase in these types of 'quishing' attacks.
Finally, we recommend that you use the QR-scanner that comes with your phone, rather than using an app downloaded from an app store.
If you receive a suspicious email, report it by forwarding it to phishing@report.gov.uk

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you’ve been a victim of fraud, report it at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Emergency Alerts

The UK government’s new Emergency Alerts is now live.

The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger. It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as severe flooding.

Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them.

If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.

Should you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you will hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond.

You will be able to check an alert is genuine at gov.uk/alerts. If you receive an alert, read the alert carefully and follow the instructions.

How to Report

For emergencies please dial 999

For something non-urgent but you feel the police should know about please call 101.

If you suspect criminal activity and wish to remain anonymous your can or go online to Crimestoppers and also to report non urgent crimes. Or submit online at www.leics.police.uk

Scams

Neighbourhood Watch

How to Report

The main advice is, do not click on links until you are absolutely sure it is from the company it says.

Check the email details and this will tell you immediately if it is a scam.

NEVER give you bank details to anyone who sends a text or email as no banks or legitimate companies will never request this information by text or email.

Call Action Fraud for help

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Link is an easy, free email messaging service from Leicestershire Police, Neighbourhood Watch and other local partner organisations, providing news and updates on policing matters that are relevant to you.

Sign up to receive email alerts about police activity and initiatives in your local area, crime prevention advice and information and warnings about current scams and fraud. You will have the opportunity to reply directly to your neighbourhood team and have your say on your local policing priorities.

Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood watch is the largest volunteer-led crime prevention charity in the country, working in communities to support them in being safer, more resilient places to live. We provide resources, projects and networks that support volunteers and communities to work together to prevent crime, raise awareness around safety initiatives and community resilience, and connect neighbourhoods.

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/

neighbourhood watch and neighbourhood link

types of BURGLARY

Burglar facts

Distraction Burglary

Distraction Burglary

cyber crime