Crime Prevention Bulletin January

Dear Resident

If you find this information helpful please “rate” this message at the bottom (very quick and simple).

Subscription Scams

More than 20 million UK adults have signed up to a subscription without realising it, and of these, 4.7 million are still paying for a subscription they didn’t ask for, according to new figures released by National Trading Standards. The data reveals the widespread impact of so-called ‘silent scams’ that involve low value but high-volume thefts.

Silent scams can include ‘subscription traps’, where consumers are automatically signed up to regular payments after making a single purchase or agreeing to a free trial, as well as one-off purchases based on misleading information where the item is of poor quality and not as expected. Due to their relatively low value, these payments often go unnoticed, unchallenged and unreported.

We encourage people to report all scams, no matter the amount. 

You can report a scam to Report Fraud: 📞 0300 123 2040 🔗 https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

Read the full story on the National Trading Standards Website here. 

Winter Driving Advice

Cold winter mornings are a familiar challenge for UK drivers. Frosted windscreens can tempt even experienced motorists into bad habits that risk fines, damage to vehicles, or serious collisions. Knowing the correct way to clear your windscreen -and how to drive safely once you’re on the road - is essential during winter months. 

  Do stay with your vehicle while it defrosts

 Don’t pour boiling or hot water on the windscreen 

 Don’t drive with partially cleared windows

Click here to read a practical guide to the do’s and don’ts of clearing frosted windscreens and driving in winter conditions from the Older Driver’s Forum.

Driver Skills 60+ Scheme 

Hampshire County Council (HCC) operate a driving appraisal scheme for Hampshire residents called the ‘Driver Skills Scheme 60+’. 

The appraisal takes place from the person’s home using their own car and is delivered by specially selected and trained Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) who have a good understanding of the needs of experienced drivers. Click here to find out more.

Coercive Control is a form of Domestic Abuse

It’s been 10 years since controlling and coercive behaviour offences were introduced under the Serious Crime Act 2015. This was an important development in supporting those effected by emotional forms of domestic abuse. 

What is coercive control? 

Coercive control is a form of domestic abuse where somebody you are personally connected to displays a pattern of behaviour which causes you to feel controlled, dependent on them, isolated from others, and scared. 

What could this look like in a relationship? 

What to do if your relationship looks like this? 

Self-Assessment Scam

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued a warning after more than 4,800 Self-Assessment scams have been reported since February 2025. Scammers use persuasive and threatening tactics to target people when they are more likely to receive correspondence from HMRC. They send fake tax demands or attempt to pressurise people to hand over personal information.

HMRC has taken swift action to close down nearly 25,000 fake websites and phone numbers in the last 10 months. HMRC will never:

Anyone who receives suspicious communication from HMRC can forward emails to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk, and SMS messages to 60599.                                                                

Click on the link to find out more about how to report scam activity to HMRC.