Weeknotes has been on a break for a few weeks, so here’s perhaps a longer roundup of news than usual. As always, don’t forget that previous weekly editions of this news summary are online.
Community Safety related
Last week was Falls Prevention/Awareness Week. It’s a good reminder to check with vulnerable neighbours/family/friends to help prevent falls. Humberside Fire and Rescue published some info. Useful NHS info on falls here too. If a Home Safety visit is required then HRFS have details here.
The Community Safety Fund from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner has opened its latest round of funding. Closing date 3rd Nov. Details here. For projects and groups with projects that can tackle crime.
Chimney Fire Safety week was a few weeks ago now, but it’s still relevant as people are getting their chimneys swept before Winter sets in. Have a read if this is relevant to you. Help keep chimney fires to a minimum.
Police related Updates
Final reminder: The Policing survey from the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner closes for responses on 30th September. Just a couple of days left for you to respond.
Operation Spotlight is a current Police Road Safety initiative. Read about it here.
A reminder to visit the Humberside Police website and find the information about where you live. You can find out who is on your local Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT); what their priorities are at the moment; and where and when they are running drop-ins, events, walkabouts and other ways that you can connect to them. Go here to find your local team.
Autumn approaches and here’s a warning from the Police about preparing for darker nights.
And a Police warning about keeping your car safe from crime.
Remember, if you sign up to MyCommunityAlert you’ll get these pieces of advice and news to your inbox automatically.
Scams related
Unfortunately it’s been a bit of a month for Fraudwatch issued trigger alerts – meaning there are plenty of concerning scams and frauds in circulation at the moment. Please read an share the alerts widely:
Trigger alert #30 Police Impersonation Fraud – full details and lots of useful resources and links on the Fraudwatch site here.
Alert #31 Winter Fuel Allowance Fraud
Alert #32 Courier Fraud / Impersonation Fraud The Fraudwatch website includes a brand new 3min video helping to explain Courier Fraud.
Alert #33 Yorkshire Water Impersonation Fraud
Alert #34 Doorstep Fraud
Each of these alerts on Fraudwatch come with extra information, videos, resources and more, so keep an eye on the Fraudwatch site for details.
VANEL continues to deliver scams and fraud awareness talks across North East Lincolnshire so if your group is interested please contact me (Karl) direct.
A very specific warning from ActionFraud this month – about protecting your Pension from fraud.
Disturbingly, over 1 million people in the UK and in debt to loan sharks. It’s worth everyone knowing about the risks and sharing the information with others. So please take the time to read more on https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/ and share the number 0300 555 2222. And if you spot a postcard/note on a noticeboard/shop window that offers money, it is probably a loan shark, but you can take a photo of the card and report it online at https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/report-a-loan-shark-advert/.
Neighbourhood Watch
Wed 24th September was the National Neighbourhood Watch Conference organised by Ourwatch which was held online for the first time and attracted 320+ attendees. Maybe you attended (in which case I’d be interested in feedback). If you didn’t make it, all the slides and information from the event will be shared by Ourwatch in due course so you can catch up on the discussions.
There was lots of updates on the Neighbourhood Watch movement nationally; what Ourwatch is preparing for their strategy for the coming years; and what local Force Areas are delivering in the way of Neighbourhood Watch more locally. Lots of interesting news will no doubt arise from the conference in the weeks ahead. In North East Lincolnshire VANEL continues to develop and support Neighbourhood Watch Groups as these continue to be an effective way for neighbours to support each other, tackle community safety together and simply connect communities. Speak to me if you want to know more about Neighbourhood Watch (and visit www.nelwatch.org.uk)
The September edition of the OurWatch e-newsletter was published.
Ourwatch is campaigning on mobile phone safety. Read their advice page here.
Local initiatives
On 8th October, the Later Life Partnership will be running an Older Peoples’ Advice Day event at the Memorial Hall in Cleethorpes. A chance to visit and find out about a variety of support for older people including Community Safety. Local Police, HFRS, Neighbourhood Watch and VANEL will all be there. More details.
Today – 26th September – marks exactly two years since the Clear Hold Build initiative began in the Nunsthorpe area of South Ward. Intensive work from the Police, Council and numerous partner agencies has kept tackling issues in the area and the work will not stop. The recent “Together for Tomorrow” event in Sutcliffe Park brought everyone together to talk to the community about the work being done. The ‘build’ phase of Clear Hold Build continues, with partners working on new initiatives to help support residents. South Together (the residents Forum for South Ward) continues to meet monthly (and online via www.southtogether.org.uk) and welcomes residents to attend. Watch out for upcoming events on 28th and 29th October in Nunsthorpe around Halloween to bring families and the community together.
In Immingham, partner agencies are now regularly meeting and working on approaches to community safety together. Op Agility is the Police led partnership (Facebook post here) and Onevoice in Immingham recently led a big partnership meeting (Facebook post) to ensure everyone is working together.
Sidney Sussex: VANEL are restarting our regular Community Safety Drop-ins with the local Policing team at our offices, 82 Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes. The next is Wed 1st October, 11am-12noon. Local residents are encouraged to pop in to chat about anything community safety related.
Something to share?
If you have comments, feedback or content that you think should be included, please let me know.
Karl
Footnotes
WeekNotes 11 Friday 26th September 2025
By Karl Elliott, VANEL, NELwatch, HumberWatch
www.nelwatch.org.uk
www.vanel.org.uk
www.nelwatch.org.uk/neighbourstogether
part of Humber Watch Association
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