In recent weeks, there have been a number of companies using high pressure selling techniques to sell mobility products, such as mobility scooters, to elderly and vulnerable people. These companies have been known to give the impression they are from social or health care agencies and do not properly inform buyers about their consumer rights when purchasing mobility products.

Their sales practices have been, and will continue to be investigated by the Scambuster Trading Standards Teams. Please be reminded that as with all cold callers, use your door chain and check identification and do not buy from doorstep sellers unless you know who you are dealing with and have been advised by social or health services of their visit.

If you are suspicious about any such doorstep sellers please report this to Derbyshire Police 0345 123 33 33 or Derbyshire Trading Standards Consumer Direct 0845 404 0506

Residents are asked to be aware of several different security companies using high pressure sales techniques to sell home security alarms. They appear to be targeting older residents and arranging appointments in their homes, offering alarms at a minimal charge but with an installation fee. They say that they are working alongside the police and that the alarm is monitored with a direct response from the police, which it isn’t!

If you or your neighbours receive any similar calls, be wary of allowing these cold callers to visit your home and pressure you into buying an alarm. If you do require a security alarm, obtain several quotes from reputable local companies before making any decision.

Any concerns, please call the police on 0345 123 33 33

Residents are asked to be vigilant and wary of cold callers trying to sell anything over the phone. Do not to give out any banking details over the phone unless you are absolutely certain who you are dealing with.

Mute button phone scam:

BT has also issued a warning to customers to be on their guard after a series of phone scams involving people claiming to be calling from the company.

The scammers call up their victim and warn them that their account is in arrears. They then ask for bank or credit card details in order to settle the account – don’t be afraid to say no! If the person refuses or asks for proof, the fraudsters then offer to prove who they are by disconnecting the phone line. Once the victim puts the phone down, the scammer stays connected to their line, thus giving the impression that the customer’s line no longer works.

Evidence shows this type of phone scam has been happening all over the country.

BT sometimes makes calls to customers about debt – but stresses that it never carries out disconnections during the call.

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Free Break dance and hip hop taster workshops are being offered to youngsters in Whaley Bridge over the next few weeks.

Chapel Street Dance is visiting The Mechanics Institute for a number of open sessions throughout August.

The classes are being led by members of the award winning Trinity Warriors street dance crew.

Members of the Derby based group are former UK b-boy (break dance) champions and worked with artists such as Sean Paul, Method Man, Twista, Redman and Will Smith.

The crew, which was founded in 2001, have been delivering sessions at Chapel Leisure Centre since 2009. Their aim is to uplift and inspire youngsters and the local community.

PCSO Karen Green has helped to support the initiative since its launch and has volunteered at the sessions in Chapel. She said: “Members of the Trinity Warriors visited a dry night in Whaley Bridge towards the end of last year to show off their skills and received a great response from youngsters.

“It is now a chance for youngsters to have a go themselves, pick up some impressive dance moves and have a bit of fun as well as taking advantage of the added benefits of improving fitness, self esteem and confidence.”

She added: “We are very lucky to have such a great team of tutors and our thanks go to the Trinity Warriors and other Derby based dance groups for their help to deliver these classes.”

Sessions will take place between 7 and 9pm on Friday August 6, Friday, August 13 and Friday, August 20.

As the school summer holidays start, instances of trespass, damage and even burglary, may increase in schools.

If you live near to such a building or complex please keep an eye out for anything suspicious and call 999 if an offence is being committed or 0345 123 33 33 to report any suspicious activity or persons at the premises.

The Education Authority can prosecute trespassers on school property. Most schools have some form of signage to this effect.

Thank you.
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Crime in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales has reduced by almost two per cent in the last year, for the seventh year consecutively.

The figures, published by the Home Office last Thursday (July 15), reveal that burglary across the area fell by 7.8 per cent Continue Reading →

Safer Neighbourhood policing teams that cover Whaley Bridge, Furness Vale, New Mills and Hayfield are offering residents the chance to voice any issues or concerns.

The New Mills and Hayfield Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team is holding a drop-in surgery on Tuesday, July 13 between 5.30 and 7.30pm in the Mobile Police Station, which will be parked on the main road in Hayfield.

Surgeries are an opportunity for people to meet their local police officers and PCSOs, and speak about any concerns on an informal basis.

Residents are also invited to help set priorities for the Whaley Bridge and Furness Vale Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team.

They are holding a meeting for residents, police officers and partner organisations at 7pm on Wednesday, July 14 at The Mechanics Institute, Whaley Bridge.

Priorities for the Safer Neighbourhood policing teams are agreed at meetings every three months.

If you can not make the meeting but have an issue that you would like to raise call 0345 123 33 33 or send an email to chapel.neighbourhoods@derbyshire.pnn.police.uk.

Sometime between 19th – 24th June, an offender has entered a property on Park Crescent, Furness Vale, through the front door while the resident was outside pegging out washing in the back garden. A small box containing items of jewellery has been stolen.

Anyone with information about this incident should call 0345 123 33 33 quoting crime number: 33751/10.

Please be vigilant and report all suspicious activity to the police.

Residents, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, should be extra vigilant and report any suspicious door to door callers to the police, following a distraction burglary which took place at the home of an elderly/vulnerable couple, who live in a property on Carson Croft, Matlock. At approximately 1835hrs on Wednesday 23rd June, a female entered the house and sold two packs of bedding to them, asking for the money. They paid cash. It was later discovered that a further amount of cash was missing.

 Description: white female, middle aged, average build, shorter than 5’10” tall, local accent.

 Did any residents in the area see this female, any accomplices or any vehicle? If so, please phone the police with any information – Tel: 0345 123 33 33, quoting crime number: 33608/10.