Safer Communities

Doorstep Scams

Doorstep criminals using “protection against virus” claim to target the vulnerable - 28 April 2020

Vigilance plea after bogus workman targets vulnerable Angus woman - 30 April 2020

There is a wide range of support available to local people – much of this within the voluntary and community sector, with national and local public sector support being implemented alongside this. 

The established Cannock and Rugeley foodbanks have been very busy. There has been extensive small, locally based and individual neighbourhood support to family, friends and neighbours. Cannock Chase is also benefitting from the establishment of a comprehensive (and growing) range of services offered from volunteers working through the Chase Coronavirus Support Network (CCSN).

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic there has been a noticeable increase in cybercrime and fraud.

The way in which we are living our lives has changed significantly, we are communicating with one another in new and different ways, and we are engaged with agencies and organisations which we may not have been before.

For these reasons, it is important to be vigilant, especially where personal and/or financial information is being shared, to ensure that you don’t become a victim of a scam.

The Stop Loan Sharks team are here to help. They are the only government agency in the UK who have the power to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and illegal money lenders.

The Stop Loan Sharks helpline service remains open and fully operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. To safely report a loan shark, call the 24-hour confidential helpline on 0300 555 2222. Or text a report to 07860 022116. Or complete an online report form.

Many of Post Office branches are dedicating the first hour of the day to vulnerable and elderly customers, and those who work for the NHS or care services. This includes all standalone branches and those in WH Smiths branches.

There is no disruption to Post Office Card Account (POCA) services (that State Pensions can be paid into).

For urgent queries, or if you are unable to leave your home, you can call 0345 722 3344 from 8.15am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 7.15pm on Saturdays.

The supermarkets have now received a list of registered NHS vulnerable individuals and in some cases will be contacting them direct by email, where an email address has been registered.

Sainsburys will be contacting all NHS vulnerable individuals by email, but they encourage over 70’s to register for priority deliveries by calling 0800 953 4988.

This week marks National Stalking Awareness week and given the unparalleled times we are in amidst the Covid19 pandemic, Suzy Lamplugh Trust will be hosting the week online across our social media and digital channels. We will be sharing podcasts and videos featuring experts and influencers to educate and promote discussion on the theme of “See Stalking Clearly” and stalking support for victims during the Covid19 pandemic. 

Today Sustrans is launching a new campaign called Cycles for Key Workers to make cycling easier for key workers as they travel to and from work during Covid-19.

With support from the cycling industry, Sustrans have created an interactive map that shows cycling related offers and services available to key workers in their local area, including:

The past week will have been a strange one for many people, with normal Easter activities and bank holiday plans being changed dramatically from the norm. We know that many people would usually be out delivering Easter eggs or, for those of different faiths, spending the long weekend with friends and family. We thank you all for staying home, keeping yourselves and loved ones safe, and protecting our NHS.

It has been the most testing, bizarre, emotional, challenging, tiring month, but I have also never been more proud to be part of our local voluntary and community sector.

In a matter of weeks, we have seen our members dramatically reorganise themselves to respond to the pandemic, undertaking new and challenging tasks, recruiting more volunteers, spending their own reserves, forging new relationships, supporting the vulnerable and marginalised, to stay at home, to protect the NHS, and Social Care, and ultimately to save lives.