Archive for category: News

Worcestershire Highways department has issued an order to close Grimley Lane to traffic due to a water leak outside 1. Crossbank Cottage. It is expected to re-open on Tuesday 15th October.

Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire have announced they are closing on 30 September 2024 Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire Announces Closure Due to Financial Challenges.

Whilst this is a huge loss to the county, please be aware Age UK Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest is NOT closing and remains very much open.  It is an independent charity operating as a brand partner of Age UK National.  Age UK BRWF (along with Age UK Worcester, Malvern Hills and Hereford Localities) continue to offer a range of free and paid for services that are very similar or the same as Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, but demand is currently extremely high, so wait time for support may be increased in the short term.

With regards to countywide contracts, specifically Home from Hospital Service and Dementia Support Service, which Age UK H&W have been delivering across Worcestershire, we understand that arrangements are being put in place as quickly as possible by the different commissioners to ensure these services continue until the end of the current contracts (end of March 2025).

Message from Joanne Birch (West Mercia Police, PCSO, Bromsgrove St John’s)

Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team will be at Destination Zone Bromsgrove on Tuesday 1st October at 2.30-3.30pm.

Please take this opportunity to raise any concerns you may have and to find out what we are doing to tackle the issues that matter to you.

It’s at: Destination Zone, 132a High Street, Bromsgrove, B61 8ES

Date and Time: Tue 01 Oct 2024 14:30

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Action Fraud is warning savers to stay vigilant and protect their pensions and investments from fraudsters trying to trick people out of their lifetime savings, as new data reveals £17.7 million lost to pension fraud last year.

How can you protect yourself?
Unsolicited communication about your pension: If you get a call out of the blue (a cold call) about your pension, the safest thing to do is hang up. It’s illegal and probably a fraudster. If you get offers via email or text, you should simply ignore them.

Seek advice first: if you’re thinking about changing your pension arrangements, you should get financial advice beforehand. If you want to find an adviser, make sure they’re authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Never take advice from the company that contacted you, this may be part of the scam.

Investment opportunities: do not be rushed into making an investment.
Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot.

You should treat investment opportunities with extreme caution if there is:
• pressure to invest (e.g. time-limited offers);
• downplayed risk of losing your money
• promised returns that sound too good to be true.

Be mindful of tax implications: you’ll pay up to 55% tax on payments from your pension provider if they make an ‘unauthorised payment’.

If you have been a victim then report it: if you’re worried about a potential scam, or you think you may have been contacted by a fraudster, report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
Source: Action Fraud
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Do share this information with any family, friends, or neighbours that you think it may be able to assist.
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Take Five to Stop Fraud
STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

Take Five – ALWAYS REMEMBER:

1. Avoid disclosing security details
2. Emails, Phone Calls and Texts may not be authentic
3. Always make direct contact with any organisation by using a genuine phone number
4. Stop and Challenge any unexpected requests
5. Protect others by reporting Fraud and Scams

No one should have to sleep rough. You can help change someone’s life by making an alert to local support services through StreetLink.

StreetLink is a platform that enables you to alert local authorities and outreach teams to someone sleeping rough, so that they can locate and provide them with needed support. This includes anyone who is sleeping outside, preparing to bed down, or sleeping somewhere not designed for habitation, such as a car.

To make an alert through the website, follow these 3 simple steps:

1. Locate. Send a pin of where you’ve seen someone sleeping rough.
2. Describe. Give as many details as possible to help services identify them.
3. Submit. Your alert will go to local support services who will go out to find the person.

Scan the QR code on the attachment or visit thestreetlink.org.uk to make an alert about someone sleeping rough.