Welcome to Weeknotes – a roundup of community safety news over the past few weeks. Remember that all previous editions of this news summary are online. If you’re involved with a group or network, please share anything in this email that feels useful with others.
Scams related
It’s Black Friday. Even more important to stay safe when shopping online now and in the buildup to Christmas. Warning message from Humberside Police to think before clicking.
Here’s 12 Festive Frauds: Tips for safe Christmas Shopping from the Police and ActionFraud.
“Online safety advice – shopping and job seeking” – from the Get Safe Online team. And also, “Seasonal jobseekers warned to stay alert for scams in the approach to the festive season”
The latest scam advice from Which? If you’re not getting these emails directly, now’s the time to signup for free.
Beware of winter fuel payment scams – advice from ActionFraud.
Community Safety related
When bargain hunting it’s often easy to go for the cheap price and not to consider safety. Battery safety is important to consider in what you’re buying. And there’s some more advice from HFRS about battery fire safety when you’re shopping for Christmas.
A news update from Humberside Police demonstrates that there is value in having a personal alarm available. In this case an arrest was made. Personal alarms costs very little and can be used for peace of mind, to ward someone off or to alert others. Why not invest in a simple alarm? VANEL can supply personal alarms in some circumstances so talk to your local Policing team who can refer you to VANEL to see if we can give you a free alarm.
My regular reminder to sign up for MyCommunityAlert – or tell neighbours and those you connect with to sign up too.
Policing related
Week of action sees 263 knives surrendered and taken off the streets.
“Buying a bike for Christmas, have you thought about a lock for it?” – from Police community safety team
E-scooters continue to be a concern for residents. In simple terms it is illegal to ride a privately owned electric scooter (also known as an ‘e-scooter’) in public, for example on pavements, on roads or in parks. The Police and partners continue to try and educate the public about this through a variety of interventions. Read more on the Humberside Police website here or on gov.uk here. It’s also worth noting the rules around electric bikes. If you have concerns please contact your local Policing team.
Fire Safety
Some advice from Humberside Fire and Rescue Services (HFRS) in time for Winter – Winter electrical fire safety.
Neighbourhood Watch
The Ourwatch survey closes on 1st Dec, so if you can spare a moment please complete it.
Nationally, Ourwatch and Neighbourhood Watch is backing the United Nations’ Orange the World campaign against violence towards women. This 16 day campaign is currently running and it’s something that anyone or any group can easily support to help towards tackling these serious issues.
Read more about Orange the World here. Download the list of 16 days of action here. Today – Friday 28th is about cyberviolence and digital abuse – for example some advice about this here. In North East Lincolnshire VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) is being tackled head on. Read this story from back in July about local efforts, and the end of year report on local progress from 2024-25.
What can you do? Here’s an action list from SaferNEL for whether you have 5 minutes or more to spare.
To Neighbourhood Watch Coordinators: remember that VANEL has a stock of Neighbourhood Watch window stickers that you can supply to households in your scheme. It’s possibly been quite a while since you first set up and maybe there are residents without stickers who would like them? Just get in touch with me to discuss.
And a reminder about insurance. If your Neighbourhood Watch group runs an activity or project or event in the name of Neighbourhood Watch, then you’re automatically covered by the national insurance scheme. It might be a litter pick, a door to door campaign or a social event or fundraiser, and you will be covered. I’ve been asked about this recently so here’s the overview about the insurance and any questions please discuss with me.
Local initiatives
A reminder that VANEL has an upcoming Community Safety Drop-in with the Police on Wed 3rd December, 11am-12noon in the Red Shed at 82 Grimsby Road community hub.
Something to share?
If you have comments, feedback or content that you think should be included, please let me know.
Karl
Footnotes
WeekNotes 15 Friday 28th November 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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