Suffolk Constabulary is thanking the public and businesses after last week's plea urging them to comply with government measures restricting people's movements to tackle coronavirus. (Video can be viewed via https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/16-03-2020/suffolk-chief-thanks-public-and-businesses-going-support )

Officers were given the powers on Thursday last week (26 March), to fine people who refuse to stay at home and only go outside if they have a 'reasonable excuse'.

So far, the force has not yet issued any fixed penalty notices in relation to the formal powers. However, if considered necessary, police may take enforcement action if people are not listening and putting others at risk. Officers will apply their discretion and will ask questions to establish individual circumstances.

Chief Constable Steve Jupp said: "Overall, the message does seem to be getting through - compliance with these regulations is an absolute priority to save people's lives and protect the NHS.

"We will continue to police by consent. We will engage, explain the circumstances and encourage people to do the right thing in complying with the government request.

"This is absolutely a community effort. We have no desire to use the formal powers now made available to policing, but it's right that we're able to enforce against those who disregard these measures and put people at risk. The vast majority are following the government requests, and we thank them.

"If people see people flouting the rules we want the public to exercise common sense. We will not be able to dispatch officers for minor infringements. Clearly mass gatherings of people is not a minor infringement and we would want to know about that so we can deal with it.

"I would like to add that people who deliberately spit and cough on emergency workers as well as members of the public will be dealt with robustly. This is an offence and it will be treated as assault.

"I'd also take this opportunity to pay tribute to all our police officers and staff who alongside emergency workers, NHS staff and other key workers are on the frontline.  They are doing outstanding work in challenging times."

Police can issue penalty notices of £30, rising to £60 if not paid within 28 days, where they have reason to believe there has been an offence under the regulations.

Help us keep our communities safe.

Suffolk Constabulary is issuing advice on social media channels to combat unscrupulous individuals who look to exploit the vulnerable during the coronavirus outbreak.

The messages on social media urge vigilance against criminals who will be using the publicity around the virus as a chance to target the vulnerable.

For example, the social guidance includes making clear to always ask for identification of anyone claiming to be from the emergency services or the voluntary sector and not to open the door to anyone, especially from someone you are not expecting.

Other scam include coronavirus tax refunds, fake cures, World Health Organisation impersonation emails and bit coin payments.

County Policing Commander for Suffolk Chief Superintendent Marina Ericson said: "We are living through unprecedented times, and while we are seeing mostly positive and very helpful community based activity to support the vulnerable, there continues to be a heartless and scheming group of criminals who will look to exploit the current situation for their own needs.

"Scams are likely to come in many different forms – from, for example, calling on people to say they are testing for the virus, to those fraudulently selling protective face masks, or offering to do shopping and taking money.

"The majority of groups are well intentioned and will be working through the voluntary or charity sector and will be very happy to provide you with proof as to who they are.

"The message is simple, if you have any doubts about the honesty of the person or offer of help, we urge you not to engage further – put the phone down or shut the door and report suspicious behaviour."

Vulnerable people will be most at risk so we ask that people protect themselves and we ask relatives and neighbours of the vulnerable to have a conversation with their loved ones or neighbours to stay alert and be wary of unsolicited offers of help.

If you feel in immediate danger call 999 or if you know someone is vulnerable and has been a victim of fraud, please contact Suffolk Constabulary on 101 or Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.ukor call 0300 123 2040.

Advice: 

·Only accept help from people you know and / or trust. Never deal with unexpected cold callers

·You do not have to agree to anything you don’t feel comfortable with

· Police, health workers and others will not and do not call at your house to test for coronavirus or ask for money regarding investigations

·Check the person calling at your door has valid identification, even if they are dressed in uniform

·Do not transfer any money across to someone who calls you over the phone, banks will not ask for your personal security details

· Do not trust anyone asking for money transfers or cash over the phone

· Do not make shopping purchases from a company or person you do not know and trust. Use a credit card to pay to protect yourselves.

Further advice can be found on our website:

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/coldcallers1.pdf

https://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/fraudprevention1.pdf

The advice attachments can be viewed via https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/16-03-2020/coronavirus-scam-warning

Help us keep our communities safe.

Police searching for a man who has failed to return to Hollesley Bay prison have located him.

Police would like to thank the public for their help with the matter.

Police are appealing for help to trace a man who has failed to return to Hollesley Bay prison.

Officers were called at about 6.15pm yesterday evening, Thursday 12^th March after 46 year old Matthew Nutley failed to return to the prison earlier this afternoon.

He is in prison for robbery, blackmail, a bomb hoax, possession of an offensive weapon and false imprisonment offences. 

He is described as five foot ten inches tall, is of stocky build, with blue eyes and grey hair. It is unknown what he was wearing and he has links to the Middlesex area.

He should not be approached but anyone who believes they may have seen him, seen a male matching the description given or who has any information regarding his whereabouts should call Suffolk Police on 101 quoting CAD297 of 12 March 2020.

Full news appeal and photo can be viewed via Suffolk Police website - https://www.suffolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/matthew-nutley

13 Mar 20

Police are urging residents to be vigilant after an elderly woman was targeted by telephone scammers.

The incident was reported to police on Tuesday 10 March, by a bank in Bury St Edmunds, after a woman, aged in her 80s, from a nearby village, was persuaded to transfer a large sum of money by telephone scammers pretending to be from the fraud department.

The woman was also persuaded to withdraw some of the cash and it was later collected by a female courier.

Courier fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts a victim by telephone and purports to be a police officer, bank or from a government department, among other agencies.

A number of techniques will then be adopted in order to convince the victim to hand over their bank details or cash, which may then be passed on to a courier.

Officers are urging residents not to hand over cash or cards to callers under similar circumstances.

Scammers are known to make calls like this to convince people into handing over money, bank cards or personal information.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may have received a similar type of telephone call or have any information about this incident.

Anyone with any information should contact Suffolk police, quoting crime number: 37/15013/20

Website – http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us/existing-report-update

Email – daniel.witter@suffolk.pnn.police.uk

Phone – call 101

Crimestoppers – Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their online form: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

In an emergency always call 999

For further advice, head to the Action Fraud website: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Residents are reminded that neither your bank nor the police will ever ask you to withdraw money or purchase items. Further advice is offered below.

• Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details to anybody.
• Neither the police nor the banks will send a courier to collect money from you.
• Always request Photo ID and if unsure call the police.
• If you're asked to telephone a bank, then always do it on a different phone to the one you were contacted on. Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ringtones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Use a friend or neighbour's telephone instead.
• Never download any software suggested by caller.
• Do not rush into complying to the scammers demands / requests.
• Friends, family, carers and neighbours are asked to spread the word to ensure everyone is aware of this scam and what they should do.
• If you have already given your bank details over the phone or handed your card details to a courier, call you bank straight away to cancel the card.

Further crime prevention advice can be found here: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/fraudprevention1

Help us keep our communities safe.

Police advice on a variety of subjects can be accessed via  https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice

To report something, or to otherwise contact Police, use the link http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us 

To report something anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Alternatively call 101 for non-urgent matters.

Always call 999 in emergencies, or if an immediate police response is required.

Police Connect Team

Help us keep our communities safe.

Police advice on a variety of subjects can be accessed via  https://www.suffolk.police.uk/advice

To report something, or to otherwise contact Police, use the link http://www.suffolk.police.uk/contact-us 

To report something anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Alternatively call 101 for non-urgent matters.

Always call 999 in emergencies, or if an immediate police response is required.

Police Connect Team

28 Feb 20

Suffolk Police together with Suffolk Trading Standards continue to remind residents to be mindful of telephone scams, one of which was reported to Trading Standards recently.

The victim reported that he had been contacted by a company called Claim Advisory / Claim Group. They said he was entitled to £2900 in PPI which appeared strange to him as the PPI claim deadline had passed. The caller said that someone would come to his home in order to collect £175 in Amazon vouchers, then the monies would be transferred. The call was from a Manchester number phone number related to a known scam.

Police & Trading Standards warns against responding to such calls. If you receive calls such as these, they should be reported to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.

Fraud prevention advice can be found on the Suffolk Police webpage www.suffolk.police.uk or via this link - http://www.suffolk.police.uk/sites/suffolk/files/fraudprevention1.pdf