Online Security Advice

From Neighbourhood to Cyberhood: Over a third of Neighbourhood Watch members are now more concerned about cybercrime than physical crime.

So Neighbourhood Watch has now launched a Cyberhood Watch initiative and has published a number of ‘Layman’s Guides’ to help you to understand some of the terminology. These are:

Keep your Home PC’s Protected with Sophos Free home edition Antivirus : https://www.sophos.com/en-us/lp/sophos-home.aspx   (free for Home use)

Avast (AVG) also offer Free home Antivirus software: https://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#pc

Other providers may also offer similar products.

Reporting fraud and scams

To report Online fraud or cyber crime please go to:  http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud

To report a scam or fraudulent e-mail please forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk 

As of May 2024 more than 181,100 scams have been removed as a result of this reporting!

To report a scam or fraudulent text please forward it to 7726.

Buying and Selling second-hand PC’s, Laptops, Notebooks, Tablets and Phones

If you are buying or selling second-hand devices you need to know how to erase the personal data that is on them (and why it’s important when you’re buying and selling them).

Follow this link to get the latest advice from The National Cyber Security Centre:

Guidance for buying & selling second-hand devices – NCSC.GOV.UK

Home Security

  • Check all door and window locking mechanisms comply with the conditions set by the insurance industry.
  • Stand back from their property and “think thief”: Perimeter and garden/ boundary fences / walls / hedges should deter a would-be intruder. However, tall hedges / shrubs, close to the house, could act as a screen to an intruder. Access to the rear of the property, via side entrances, should be prevented.
  • Consider installing an infrared-activated light effectively exposes an intruder.
  • Ensure all outbuildings (garages, sheds etc.) are properly secured and locked at all times.
  • Where possible, cars should be parked in a garage, rather than left on the drive. If this is not possible, ensure they are suitably secured and alarmed (any or all types). Do not leave valuables on display in the car.
  • Garden and DIY tools and steps / ladders should be locked safely away and, preferably marked with forensic DNA. Interior and property identification
  • Valuables should be security marked, preferably using a forensic DNA material, and serial numbers listed – this aids identification if property is recovered by the police. Jewellery and other small items of value should be photographed and listed.
  • Do not leave keys to the property or car in obvious places to aid a thief.
  • Added security (e.g. a safe, alarm system or security camera) may be required if there are items of high value. A chain and spy hole should be fitted to the main access door and used. Do not allow access, by a caller, to the property unless satisfied with their credentials and purpose.

Going away?

  • See Police leaflet – Making sure that your property is secure whilst on holiday
  • Does your property look occupied when you are away?
  • Watch members should let neighbours know that they are not in residence and leave a number where they may be contacted. Cancel newspapers, milk etc. and ask a neighbour to check the property regularly and be extra vigilant.
  • Use the Post Office Keep Safe service to prevent mail piling up in your letter box or inside front-door.
  • Ensure that the property looks occupied. Use automatic timing switches for lights and a radio are a good idea. A neighbour’s car securely parked on the drive would be better than parked on the road.

Car Security

‘Keyless’ Car Theft

These thefts are where the keys are not required to steal the car as the electronic signal from the keys (even if indoors) can be amplified by the thieves so that the car thinks the key is there and it opens up, ready to be driven away. This only takes a few seconds, can be done silently and the first the owner knows about it is when he/she finds their car missing.

The main targets have been BMWs, Mercedes and Range Rovers but other makes have also been stolen. We are also aware that cars advertised for sale may be more vulnerable as this provides the offender with a location to target and undertaking a test drive provides a further opportunity for them to clone the key. Markers on the Police National Computer are immediately put on the vehicle to help with its identification however the current trend suggests number plates are being changed almost immediately rendering ANPR much less useful. Enquiries are then followed up over the coming days, this may include house to house and CCTV, National ANPR enquiries to assist with analysing vehicles in convoy and a statement from the victim. We know that the manufacturer fitted trackers are being almost immediately disabled.

So, prevention is the best response we can suggest. Placing your keys (including any spares) in a keyless entry theft pouch prevents the signal from getting out and should defeat a key-less car theft attempt. These are widely available and we sell them for £3. Physical security is also suggested for cars like the Disklok Steering Wheel Full Cover or the Stoplock Pro Elite Car Steering Wheel Lock (other makes are available). In some cases installing a bollard at the end of your drive (if you have a drive) to stop the car being removed has also been effective.

When and how to Report Crime

  • If you are witnessing a criminal act taking place or require immediate police presence call 999. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service 18001 or text on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service (Relay UK).
  • If you suspect or see a crime is about to be committed or see a person(s) behaving suspiciously, you should report your suspicions to the police immediately, giving as much information as possible (do your best to identify persons and /or vehicles) call : 101. If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, use the textphone service on 18001 101.
  • Alternatively you can report non-urgent matters online at https://www.police.uk/pu/contact-the-police/report-a-crime-incident/.
  • You can also report via direct message on Twitter to @SurreyHeathBeat or message @SurreyHeathPolice on Facebook. Both methods go to a call centre which is monitored 24/7.
  • Watch members should be as observant as possible from their vantage point but should not put themselves at risk. If they are reluctant to contact the police, they should seek a neighbour’s advice or opinion and / or speak to their Watch Representative – but do so immediately.
  • If a Watch member suspects or sees a crime is about to be committed or they see a person(s) behaving suspiciously, they should report their suspicions to the police immediately, giving as much information as possible (do your best to identify persons and /or vehicles) call : 101
  • If they are witnessing a criminal act taking place or require immediate police presence call 999.
  • Watch members should be as observant as possible from their vantage point but should not put themselves at risk. If they are reluctant to contact the police, they should seek a neighbour’s advice or opinion and / or speak to their Watch Coordinator – but do so immediately.
  • If a Watch member has good information concerning criminal activity and wishes to report anonymously – call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or report on their website https://crimestoppers-uk.org.
  • They can also contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team by visiting their web page at http://www.surrey.police.uk.
  • The Surrey Heath Crime Reduction Adviser will offer free and independent crime reduction advice if contacted on 101.
  • Video Footage
  • Surrey Police have introduced a new website portal which enables members of the public to upload video footage to them, which shows someone acting suspiciously.  This may be in the form of photos, CCTV, dashcam, or doorbell footage. 
  • Examples of suspicious behaviour could be someone lurking around on your driveway, looking in your car and trying the handles, or conducting occupancy checks prior to a burglary. 
  • They understand that sometimes this type of footage might get uploaded to community groups on social media but sending the footage to them will help them to identify offenders operating in the area and will potentially link individuals to offences which have occurred.  
  • Although realistically they may not be able to identify every person in a piece of footage, especially if they have a face covering, every clip feeds into their understanding of the bigger burglary picture in your area. In the long-term it is hoped that this initiative will help reduce the number of burglary offences and provide reassurance to residents.  
  • You can submit your footage via this link: https://www.surrey.police.uk/suspiciousactivityportal