Author: admin

UK Emergency Alert System Test – April 23

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A UK-wide emergency alert service is being tested at 3.00pm on Sunday 23 April.

The alerts will be sent directly to mobile phones across the UK to warn people about life-threatening events such as wildfires and severe flooding, the government has said.

The government said that the alerts will be secure, free to receive, and will not reveal anyone’s location or collect personal data.

What happens when you get an emergency alert

Your mobile phone or tablet may:

  • make a loud siren-like sound, even if it’s set on silent
  • vibrate
  • read out the alert

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.

You’ll get alerts based on your current location – not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.

What you need to do

When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions in the alert.

If you’re driving or riding when you get an alert

  • You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.
  • If you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message.
  • Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.

It is illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding.

People who have their phones switched off will not receive the message – but it will sound if your phone is switched to silent.

It is possible to turn the alerts off, something domestic abuse charity Refuge is advising vulnerable people how to do ahead of the test.

For more information, visit the Government Emergency Alert website.

 

Trading Standards Alert – Investment Scams

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Investment scams are often conducted over the phone or online and increasingly via social media such as Facebook or Instagram.

Investment scams can result in people losing thousands of pounds for non-existent investment opportunities such as stocks & shares, wine or art investments, carbon trading or cryptocurrencies.

There has been a huge increase in cryptocurrency scams where the entities and persons coordinating the scams are all based abroad and there is no way to take enforcement action or recover any funds. We have also seen an increase in reports where people are engaged by scammers on dating sites and introduced to ‘investments scams’ during a ‘relationship’. Average losses are very high and in some cases people lose their whole life savings and pensions.

Please be very cautious in investing any money and take advice from a legitimate and trusted financial advisor prior to parting with any money. Often a little research online can result in finding out which are genuine investments and which are scams.

For further information about investment fraud please take a look at the Action Fraud website:
https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-of-fraud-category/financial-investment

Please remember to report to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime if you have actually been the victim of a scam or fraud.

Call Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133 or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ to report a scam or if you require further advice in regards to scams or consumer matters.

Planning Report – April 2023

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Hanbury Mews
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Way
  • Wickham Road
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.

Trading Standards – Fraudulent “Green/Eco Energy Home” Scams

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We have been made aware of residents being approached in respect of Eco/Green insulation or solar panel installations claiming to be part of a government scheme supported by local authority.

Please do not sign up to any of these type of schemes following a cold call or leafleting. Whilst there are some schemes supported by the government the green energy sector has seen a large increase in scams which can result in you spending a lot of money on work and installations that will never benefit you and may be detrimental.

If you would like to find out if you are eligible for any type of grant funding for larger energy efficient measures such as insulation or new heating systems please contact Croydon Healthy Homes.

https://www.croydon.gov.uk/environment/sustainable-development/energy/croydon-healthy-homes

Croydon Healthy Homes  – Freephone number 0800 292 2529

Please leave a message including:
• your full name
• your full address, including postcode
• a daytime contact phone number
• or email healthyhomes@croydon.gov.uk

Please remember to report any scam to Action Fraud 0300 123 2040.
If you have actually been the victim of a trader or scam such as the above and need help, or you require consumer advice, please call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 0808 223 1133

XBY Concert Band – “An Evening with XBY”

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XBY has recently represented the UK in the World Championships in Holland as well as performing local concerts.This is a charity concert so we really want to encourage and spread the word to encourage a large audience!!

We are performing a concert on April 1st at St Mildred’s Church at 7:30pm.

We are playing a selection of music from shows, films and musicals spanning over several decades and I believe that most of these will be familiar to the audience such as Phantom of the Opera and Shrek.

We are also playing a few larger works from our competition repertoire that will showcase what Concert Bands can do. This includes “Music of the Spheres”  by Philip Sparke and East Coast Pictures by Nigel Hess.

Tickets are available by emailing infocroydonwelsh@gmail.com or on the door if necessary but please can you let us know by reserving seats.

For more information, click here.