Boughton Parish Council

  • Boughton Footpath Under Threat

    A popular footpath in Boughton is under threat of closure due to the inconsiderate actions of dog owners.

    The permissive path from Crab Lane to Oxborough Road will be closed if dog mess continues to be left on this private land.

    The landowners, who have generously allowed residents to enjoy a walk through their property for many years say they have had enough of people not clearing up after their dogs or keeping dogs on leads and away from their animals.

    Dog faeces can be dangerous to wildlife and horses and should be bagged, picked up and placed in a rubbish bin or taken home. There is no excuse for leaving it on private property or in public places.

    If you have any information about these inconsiderable people, please contact the parish council on 01366 83017. If we can collect evidence, we will pursue a prosecution which can lead to a maximum fine of £1000.

     

  • Parish Consultation

    We appreciate that Covid-19 will have – inevitably – had an impact within your community over the last few months. We are keen to understand your views, and what priorities could support your community.

    Your feedback will help us to identify any help we can provide, including where we might be able to make investment or provide support for west Norfolk communities. For example, we have recently received some European Regional Development funding to support the reopening of town centres in light of Covid-19.

    We are inviting views from parish councils here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TRMPWS3 The survey runs from 26th June – midnight on Sunday 5th July.

    In addition, we are seeking views from businesses and consumers across west Norfolk; I have attached the press release providing more information and the links. If possible, please do share these surveys with your local businesses and communities. The insight we gain through this consultation is vital as it will help us to identify what support we can provide to communities in west Norfolk.

    Thank you.

    Duncan Hall

    Assistant Director of Regeneration, Housing and Place

  • Play Park Guidance during COVID-19

    With the restrictions lifted from 4 July to open play parks please see the guidance

    Your co-operation with the guidance and taking personal responsibility is key to keeping everyone safe.

    GUIDANCE FOR USE OF PLAYPARK DURING COVID-19

    The Parish Council has carried out a Risk Assessment in accordance with Government Guidance and it is important that we all play our part in ensuring that the lifting of restrictions is done responsibly to ensure the safety of all and to allow the park to remain open to enjoy.

    The Equipment has been inspected and is ready and safe to use on opening on 4th July 2020.

    If you find any new damage or concerns please report them to the Parish Council Clerk: boughtonpc@gmail.com or 01366 683017

    • 2m social distancing is still the best defence to aid this:
      • Only 1 adult supervising per child user.
      • Limit time to 5 minutes on any equipment if others are waiting.
      • If the park is busy come back later or wait outside fenced area.
      • Some children including those with additional needs may not be able to socially distance and understanding and patience is requested.
    • Cleaning and Hygiene – Deep Cleaning of the equipment is not practicable due to the material and the risk is deemed ‘medium’ given that it outdoor and subject to rain and UV light to reduce the risk:
      • You should consider using sanitizing wipes to clean frequent touch areas before your child uses the equipment.
      • Please wash hands thoroughly and frequently and use sanitizing hand gel before and after using equipment.
      • The use of face coverings is optional but not recommended for children under 3 years of age.
      • The use of gloves is not recommended, it can reduce grip and give a false sense of COVID security if used on multiple equipment.
      • Encourage children not to touch their face.
    • NO FOOD OR DRINK in the play area.
    • Please dispose of litter and any PPE responsibly, if the litter bin is full please take your rubbish home and report it to the clerk.

  • Bonfires – Again

    May I re-iterate my plea from earlier this year that residents not light garden bonfires during times where children are playing, or washing may be hanging up, or people are simply enjoying their gardens. Smoke drifting across the village is a nuisance and may be reported to the Borough Council as such. Please dispose of garden waste at the recycling centre once it re-opens, or if you must burn it, please do so later in the day.

  • Police Connect Scam Alert

    Scam Alert – Telephone cold calls claiming ‘your internet service will be terminated’ – 11 June 2020

    We are again receiving reports about telephone cold calls delivering a recorded message claiming to be from ‘your Internet service provider’ stating that ‘your internet service will be terminated within 24 hours’. It then gives the instruction to ‘press 1 to speak to a service manager’.

    These calls are not genuine and are likely to be used to seek remote access to computers, gather personal, account or financial details or attempt to take ‘missed’ payments.

    If you receive one of these calls do not press any keys if prompted and hang up.

    You can report telephone cold calls received to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133

    Scam Alert – Emails claiming to be from ‘DVLA’ – 10 June 2020

    We are warning about emails circulating claiming to be from DVLA.

    Recent examples have included emails claiming that ‘your payment has failed’ and that you need to ‘Pay your vehicle tax to avoid unpleasant consequences’.

  • Night Flying Notice from RAF Marham

    Aircraft from RAF Marham will be conducting further essential night flying this week ahead of the forthcoming deployment of 617 Squadron to HMS Queen Elizabeth. The flying will take place from Monday to Thursday and may continue until 0200 hrs. This training must be undertaken to ensure that our pilots are current with all aspects of flying required for them to operate safely from the carrier.

    We do try to conduct our night flying training when the nights are darker earlier on in the evening but unfortunately this was not possible due to the reduced flying whilst the Covid 19 preventative measures were put in place.

    Kind Regards

    Diane Wilson
    Mrs Diane Wilson | Deputy Media Comms Officer | RAF Marham, King’s Lynn. Norfolk, PE33 9NP

  • Scam Alerts – Police Connect

     
    Please find below the latest Consumer & scam alerts from Norfolk Trading Standards.
    Kind regards
    PC Pete Davison
    North Norfolk Community Engagement Officer

    Scam Alert – Social Media messages claiming to be from ‘Dominos’ offering ‘2 Large Pizza for Free’ – 26 May 2020

    Be aware of social media messages claiming to be from Dominos offering ‘2 Large Pizza for Free’. It’s a scam.

    Scammers are continuing to use the coronavirus pandemic to spam people with claims that these offers are ‘supporting the Nation’ during this time.

    If you get a message like this, do not interact with it in any way and do not like or share on your social media profile.

    Scam Alert – Facebook Messenger asking to borrow money – 22 May 2020

    We are warning Facebook users to be aware of messages from existing Facebook friends sent via the Messenger service which asks to borrow money.

    The message will give a reason why the money is needed ‘urgently’ and will be followed by further messages pressuring the recipient into sending the money.

    These messages come from a Facebook friend’s account but are actually sent by fraudsters who have hacked the friend’s Facebook account and taken control of it.

    If you receive this or a similar message via Messenger, do not interact with the message and contact the friend via another route if possible. Advise them their Facebook profile may have been compromised.

    Find out more about keeping your Facebook account secure, including activating login alerts and two-factor authorisation.

    Scam Alert – Further examples of scam text messages claiming to be from PayPal – 28 May 2020

    With more people ordering items online, we are warning residents about scam text messages claiming to be from PayPal.

    A recent example says that ‘you have (1) important unread message’. The message then provides a link to ‘view & resolve the current issue with your account’.

    These text messages are not genuine and are not connected with PayPal.

    If you receive this or a similar text message, delete it without clicking on any links.

    If you are concerned about the security of an online account, contact the provider directly via their genuine website or app.

    Never use links or details provided in a text message.

    You can report suspected text message scams to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133.

    News Alert – Norfolk Against Scams Partnership launch anti-scamming campaign during Covid-19 – 21 May 2020

    Agencies from across Norfolk have come together to warn residents to be extra vigilant of new and existing scams during the Covid-19 pandemic. A three-week campaign is being headed up by the Norfolk Against Scams Partnership, with a membership comprising Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards, Norfolk Constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCCN), voluntary agencies, businesses and residents.

    There will be a different focus on partners’ social media platforms each week, using the hashtag #NorfolkScamAware:

    • Trusted information – to guide the public to useful information and support agencies.
    • Protect – to give advice on how people can better equip themselves to identify the signs of scamming.
    • Watch Out – to make victims aware of the Norfolk Scam Prevention Service and the new scams that have emerged due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    If you’re on Facebook or Twitter search for the hashtag #NorfolkScamAware and share some of the information with your family, friends, neighbours and in the community where you live.

    Scam Alert – Emails claiming to be from ‘TV Licensing’ – 20 May 2020

    There continues to be a range of emails circulating claiming to be from TV Licencing.

    Recent examples have included emails claiming to be a ‘COVID19 Personalized Offer’ stating you are eligible for ‘1 x 6 months of free TVLicence’.

    These emails are not from TV Licencing and any links contained within the message are likely to go to a genuine-looking fake version of the TV Licencing website which will attempt to gather personal and financial details.

    Our advice is always be wary of claims made in unexpected email approaches and never click on links or open attachments if approached in this way.

    TV Licensing offer the following advice to help spot scam TV Licence emails:

    • Check the sender’s email address – TV Licensing will only send emails from donotreply@tvlicensing.co.uk (or donotreply@spp.tvlicensing.co.uk)
    • Check how scammers address you – genuine TV Licensing emails will always use your title and last name. Scammers may simply use your email address, say ‘Dear Customer’ or nothing at all
    • Check links in the email – do not click on links or attachments. If you’re unsure, you can inspect links first. On a computer, hover over the link with your mouse (but don’t click it). On a mobile or tablet, press down and hold (don’t release while on the link)
    • Check addresses of any websites it takes you to – scammers can’t use ‘www.tvlicensing.co.uk’ for copy-cat sites. They’ll try to disguise this so carefully inspect the full address in the browser bar

    You can report suspicious emails received to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133.

    Information Alert – EasyJet Cyber Incident – 19 May 2020

    EasyJet has confirmed that it had suffered a cyber-attack and is in the process of contacting affected customers following the incident.

    The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued the following advice for EasyJet customers:

    • Anyone who thinks they have been a victim of online crime can report a cyber incident using Action Fraud’s online fraud reporting tool anytime of the day or night or call 0300 123 2040. For further information visit www.actionfraud.police.uk
    • If you’re an EasyJet customer, we recommend changing your password on your EasyJet account – and if you know you’ve used that password anywhere else, change it there too. The best way to make your password long and strong is by using a sequence of three random words you’ll remember

    There is more information on the NCSC website:

    • Now would also be a good time to check if your account has appeared in any other public data breaches. Visit haveibeenpwned.com, enter your email address and go from there
    • Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a free security feature that gives you an extra layer of protection online and can stop cyber criminals getting into your accounts – even if they have your password. If it is available, then we suggest using it on all your important accounts
    • If your account has been compromised, your personal details may be used to help craft more convincing scam emails. If you believe you have received a suspicious email then you can report it to the NCSC using the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) but the NCSC has produced advice which will help you spot the most obvious signs of scam emails
    • EasyJet confirmed that 2,208 credit card details were accessed in this incident. If you were one of them, you should be notified of this by EasyJet. We advise that you monitor your accounts for any unusual activity and if you’re worried, get in touch with your bank’s fraud department. There is more information on the NCSC website

    Scam Alert – Further reports of telephone cold callers claiming to be police officers – 19 May 2020

    We have received a further report of a Norfolk resident receiving a telephone cold call claiming to be from a police officer.

    In this incident, the male cold caller claimed to be a police officer from the ‘Met Police’ and stated he was calling about the resident’s bank card which ‘had been breached’.

    During the call the male also mentioned ‘the Serious Fraud Office’ and ‘the Flying Squad’ as being involved. He then said the resident should ‘call 999 immediately’ to ‘verify his information’.

    Courier fraud happens when a fraudster contacts a victim by telephone claiming to be a police officer, bank or from a government department, among other agencies. Several 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.

    Residents are reminded that neither your bank nor the police will never ask you to withdraw money or purchase items.

    If you receive this or a similar call do not follow the instructions given. Instead:

    • Hang Up
    • Either wait five minutes for your phone line to clear, use a mobile phone or a different phone line; and
    • Call and report to Norfolk Police via 101

    In an emergency always call 999.

    Please continue to share these warnings and advice with family, friends and anyone within your community who could be vulnerable to this type of approach.

    Scam Alert – Text messages regarding ‘Cervical Screening’ – 18 May 2020

    We are again highlighting a warning after some women reported being contacted by text message, with the sender claiming to be from the ‘call and recall service’ to advise that ‘they are overdue for screening’.

    The message then states you need to call a mobile number and provide personal details.

    These messages are not from the NHS Cervical Screening Programme. If you receive this message do not respond or call the number.

    Contact when it is time to book your cervical screening appointment will be sent by post. This letter will tell you where you can go for cervical screening and how to book.

    Speak to your GP surgery if you have questions about cervical screening invitations, results or any symptoms you have.

    You can report suspicious text messages to us via our partners the Citizens Advice consumer service on freephone 0808 223 1133.

    Scam Alert – Telephone cold calls claiming to be from ‘Amazon’ – 18 May 2020

    We are again warning residents to be on their guard for telephone cold calls claiming to be from ‘Amazon’.

    This follows a report from a Norfolk resident who received a call which delivered a recorded message stating, ‘this is Amazon’. The message then went on to say that ‘your Amazon Prime is about to be renewed and a payment of £79.99 will be taken from your bank account’. The call then claimed that you could ‘Press 1 to speak to an Amazon Service Manager to discontinue this’.

    These calls are a scam and are not connected with Amazon in any way. If you receive this or a similar call our advice is do not interact with the call and hang up.

    If you have received a telephone cold call which you believe to be a scam you can report it to us via our partners, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on freephone 0808 223 1133.

  • Office for National Statistics: Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain

    The ONS has published a survey covering the impact on residents of the COVID-19 pandemic. An interesting read.

    Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain 29 May 2020

  • RAF Marham: Dambusters prepare for vital sea training – Night flights

    617 Squadron, The Dambusters, are preparing for a training deployment to HMS Queen Elizabeth at the beginning of June. This exercise will see the front line Squadron deploy to the carrier to understand how a whole Squadron can function on the ship and operate in a maritime environment on a day to day basis.

    The preparation to deploy has seen a number of added challenges as different processes and measures have been put in place to ensure that 617 Squadron and supporting industry personnel do not pass on Covid 19 to the personnel on the carrier which has already had a period of isolation at sea. The Squadron and personnel from Lightning Team UK, the industry team who support the Lightning Force, are about to go into their own period of isolation away from their families and other personnel at RAF Marham. They will all be tested for the virus and on confirmation of a negative result will be allowed to enter the quarantine area. Once in isolation they will continue to adhere to government guidance including social distancing and regular handwashing measures.

    During the quarantine period the Squadron will continue to prepare for their deployment with routine maintenance on the aircraft and flying activity. The flying training is essential for the aircrew to ensure they are ready to join the carrier in early June. This will include a period of night flying training which will take place between 27 May and 30 May in which the local community may notice aircraft noise up until 0200. There will also be a period of training over the weekend of 30-31 May which could include flying up until 1900.

    RAF Marham Station Commander, Group Captain Beck said, “This deployment is the next phase of essential training for the Lightning Force in the journey to declaring Initial Operating Capability Maritime at the end of the year. In the current climate this has brought up a lot more challenges but I am confident that we have put all the processes and mitigation in place to ensure that the personnel can deploy safely”

  • Police Community Update

    The latest Community Update.

    PC 1070 Lee Anderton
    Western District Engagement Officer
    Kings Lynn Police Station

    NorfolkCommunityUpdateCovid15052020