E-Scooters Catalytic Converter Theft and GumTree Scam

Hello,

Thank you for being part of Neighbourhood Link, here is an update for Burbage.

Catalytic converter theft from Surrey Close on Thursday 29th April between 23:00 and 23:20. The victim’s vehicle is a Toyota Auris. If you have any CCTV in this area (Herald Way) please take a look for possibly a Silver Saloon type vehicle or anything else suspicious in the area. A registration would be amazing. Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Lexus RX are popular vehicles targeted for the precious metals in the catalytic converter. Please quote crime number 21*237354.

You can find out more about catalytic converters here. https://www.leics.police.uk/news/leicestershire/news/2020/october/catalytic-converters-stolen-for-precious-metals/

Scam reported by resident (Gumtree)

“I think I may have been a target this week for fraud. I advertised on gumtree, had an email from a person who said they wanted buy my furniture. They said they were disabled and had problems with mobility so could they pay through PayPal. I set up an account for them to pay through this method. So far so good. They said I would not be able to receive my money for the furniture until I paid the courier first which was £300, this is when we suspected something fishy. I emailed back to say I was not responsible for payment to the courier and to just send money for the furniture as advertised. I have heard nothing since.”

See Action Fraud for reporting and advice https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/

Late night patrols around parks and locations such as Sketchley Brook estate, Three Pots area, The Meadows, Winchester Drive and Banky Meadow area.

Suspicious persons

A couple of reports this week of suspicious persons around Herald Way and Manor Close area. Always call 101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency) immediately if you have any concerns. Please get as much detail as possible such as descriptions, direction of travel and vehicle registrations if possible.

Electric Scooters (Resident Concern Raised)

They are not legal.

In short you can only ride them through rental schemes. Leicester/Leicestershire does not currently have any rental schemes being run. I think the closest to us is Northamptonshire. 

There are document and insurance offences linked to their use. For government guidance around electric scooters please see link https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powered-transporters/information-sheet-guidance-on-powered-transporters

If we receive a complaint via 101 or 999 and we are able to identify the person involved, this will be treated as we would with a motor vehicle. A section 59 may be issued or the E-Scooter could be seized depending on the incident.

The awful potential result of these scooters being used illegally can be seen on this link https://news.sky.com/story/e-scooters-sister-of-six-year-old-boy-who-suffered-fractured-skull-after-being-hit-by-teenage-rider-calls-for-under-21-ban-12287604

Thank you and take care.

Darren 6035

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