Latest News Stories posted on CRIMEMATTERS

WARNING TO BUSINESSES ABOUT DISTRACTION GANGS

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Businesses across Northamptonshire are being warned to be on their guard after a number of incidents where gangs of people have gone into retail or other commercial premises and distracted the staff, allowing accomplices to walk into offices or other private areas and steal cash and property. There have been six offences in Northamptonshire that are linked by the fact that the offenders have been in groups of seven or eight people gangs is unusual in that they enter stores in large numbers, usually around seven or eight people, and will go to any lengths to keep staff busy. Similar offences have been reported across the country.

Police are now asking businesses to make sure that the private and public areas of their business premises are well defined and that the private areas are secured.

Women and business star are honoured

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A BUSINESSMAN and a group of women who joined forces to tackle youth crime triumphed at a ceremony honouring community cohesion.

The Crompton Women's Forum slashed crime in their Bolton neighbourhood after assaults, robberies and drug and alcohol abuse became major problems for the community. Police appealed to local people for help in dealing with the problem and those involved realised a crucial section of the community - a huge influence on local youngsters - were mothers.

Mrs Yasmin Ali and Rukaia Jamader helped set up a meeting, which more than 300 local women attended. Crime rates were slashed almost overnight.

Entrepreneur award winner Mr Hakim runs a chain of opticians and has also appeared on TV programme The Dragons' Den in which he won funding to develop his I-Teddy product - a bear with an implanted TV screen He said: "This award is thanks to the hard work and efforts of the whole team."

[Source: www.thisislancashire.co.uk]

Please be aware of the following scam emails:-

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An email titled 'Geschäfts-Vorschlag!' all written in German was sent to a local business. The contents of the email were written in German and said "we have funds in a bank account belonging to a dead person which we would like to give you a share etc etc etc".

Several hotels have received emails from various suspicious people, asking for block bookings, stating that they will pay £5000 for the booking and the hotelier should keep £1500 and send the balance of £3500 back to a company, details of which would be sent to the hotel once confirmation received.
Please be extra vigilant as these types of scams have done the rounds before, leaving people out of pocket!

Another spoof bank account email?

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Dear Sir / Madam, Please note that Your Halifax and Bank of Scotland Internet Banking Account is about to expire. In order for it to remain active, please use the link below to proceed and restore Your Account (Web address link inserted here on original email) Security Advisor Halifax and Bank of Scotland PLC

Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
The member who received it says the web address seems slightly different to the one thrown up by a Google search for the Bank of Scotland

European Business Connection

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You may receive a form from this body asking you to update your company profile to go into an on-line European business directory. They say the updating is free of charge and it implies that you already have an entry that needs updating. However if you read the small print at the bottom where it asks you to sign it clearly says that you will be signing a contract for 3 years with an annual subscription of Euro 980.

Strangely enough the directory is said to be web-based, yet there is no web or e mail contact on the form for European Business Connection and Google does not find it.

Our advice is don't sign.

Facts and Figures

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* the British retail consortium suggests that retail crime costs every household in the UK and extra £90 each year on their shopping bills * 75% of retailers and 50% of manufacturers experienced at least one crime in the previous year, according to the Commercial Victimisation Survey (2002). * Overall, the risk of crime to retailers and manufacturers was lower comparing the results of the 2002 survey with those of the previous survey in 1994. * 75% were seriously worried about crime and the effect on their businesses A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce estimated that crime costs businesses £19 billion annually!

The extent of the problem is further revealed by the police figures for England and Wales. In the year ending 31 March 2004, the total number of 'theft from shops' offences recorded by the police was 301,796 - however, this is a decrease of 2% compared to the 2003 figures.

Kent Police uses BI on the front line

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Kent Police has rolled out hundreds of business intelligence "dashboards" to give its 6,500 officers a means of identifying and targeting crime outbreaks in their areas.

The force is using business intelligence software from Business Objects to track crime patterns. The data is displayed on dashboards, which are published on its intranet.

Kent Police head of IT Andy Barker said, "[With the dashboards] we are bringing together many more datasets. Business Objects is looking at crime trends and crime theory. It means officers can scrutinise whether there are links between crime types and crime events."

The business intelligence tool extracts data from Kent Police's operational policing system, called Genesis, and its Holmes II intelligence-gathering application.

The force has 150 power-users preparing the dashboards for use by front-line officers. Of these, 20 spend their time exclusively analysing crime data to produce outputs that can benefit front-line policing.

Kent Police also uses SAP Business Warehouse to produce management reports from its SAP finance, human resources, payroll and duty planning applications.

The force said it used Business Objects as well as SAP because it needed a second system to mine data from its proprietary crime reporting applications.

The IT department decided to introduce business intelligence for front-line officers after its then head of IT visited Tesco's team of business analysts several years ago.

Barker said, "We have tried to learn from how Tesco analyses data. We look at areas of high crime and what we can do about them. More and more, we are pulling in datasets that we have not included before."

Kent Police has cut its IT costs dramatically over the last 12 months by moving all its core applications on to Novell Open Enterprise Server - the supplier's version of SuSE Linux.

Crime against business costs UK economy an estimated 19bn a year and hits individuals too

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Pilot surveys have shown they make up at least 20% - or "the forgotten fifth" - of all recorded crime. There is currently neither a national definition of crimes against business nor a national police performance indicator to ensure that the extent of this type of crime is specifically recognised and addressed by the police. After a consultation exercise in 2002, the Home Office set up a Business Crime team to co-ordinate the national response to business crime.

Crime against business covers a range of crimes from vehicle damage and theft to vandalism, robbery, burglary, fly-tipping and card and cheque fraud. Some 57% of businesses were the victim of such crimes over a 12-month period during 2005-06.

The fear is that this really reflects the fact that, despite the current clamour around the Respect agenda, tackling anti-social behaviour and alcohol disorder, not enough is being done to help and support businesses specifically as victims in these situations.


A pilot survey carried out by South Wales and Greater Manchester Police in 2005 showed that crime against business accounts for up to a significant 20% or one fifth of all recorded crime in those areas. Similar research in the West Midlands has repeated these findings.

Source: http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/

Alert from Derbyshire Police 2 March 07

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A male claiming to be from a publishing company is contacting businesses & shops in the area by telephone, asking staff to advertise in a publication for the Police. He doesn?t offer a company name and the telephone number is withheld. These callers often state that it was a member of your staff who offered to place an advert in the publication, several months ago!

If they are genuine they will give you their contact details and contact telephone number so that you can call them back.
A Hotelier in the Bakewell area, has reported that a male contacted the hotel via email to make a block booking for accommodation in August. The email appeared to be poorly written and very suspicious. The e-mail address used was: mikebenson79@gmail.com.
Please be extra vigilant as these types of scams have done the rounds before, leaving people out of pocket!

Breaking News: Advice to Staff in Postrooms

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Delivered items, which include letters, parcels, packages and anything delivered by post or courier, have been a commonly used terrorist device. A properly conducted risk assessment should give you a good idea of the likely threat to your organisation and indicate precautions you need to take. Delivered items may be explosive or incendiary. Anyone receiving a suspicious delivery is unlikely to know which type it is, so procedures should cater for every eventuality. A delivered item will probably have received fairly rough handling in the post and so is unlikely to detonate through being moved, but any attempt at opening it may set it off. Unless delivered by courier, it is unlikely to contain a timing device. Delivered items come in a variety of shapes and sizes; a well-made one will look innocuous but there may be tell-tale signs.

Indicators of a suspicious delivered item:
-- it is unexpected or of unusual origin or from an unfamiliar sender
-- there is no return address or the address cannot be verified
-- it is poorly or inaccurately addressed, e.g. incorrect title, spelt wrongly, title but no name or addressed to an individual no longer with the company the address has been printed unevenly or in an unusual way the writing is in an unfamiliar or unusual style
-- there are unusual postmarks or postage paid marks
-- a Jiffy bag, or similar padded envelope, has been used
-- it seems unusually heavy for its size. Most letters weigh up to about 30g, whereas most effective letter bombs weigh 50-100g and are 5mm or more thick
-- it has more than the appropriate value of stamps for its size and weight
-- it is marked 'personal' or 'confidential'
-- the envelope flap is stuck down completely (a normal letter usually has an ungummed gap of 35mm at the corners)
-- there is a pin-sized hole in the envelope or package wrapping
-- there is any unusual smell, including but not restricted to almonds, ammonia or marzipan
-- it has greasy or oily stains on the envelope
-- there is an additional inner envelope and it is tightly taped or tied (however, in some organisations sensitive material is sent in double envelopes as standard procedure).

What you can do:
Although any suspect item should be treated seriously, remember that the great majority will be false alarms and a few may be hoaxes. Try to ensure that your procedures, while effective, are not needlessly disruptive. Take the following into account in your planning:
-- seek advice from your local police on the threat and on defensive measures
-- consider processing all incoming post and deliveries at one point only. This should ideally be off-site or in a separate building, or at least in an area that can easily be isolated and in which deliveries can be handled without taking them through other parts of the building
-- make sure that all staff who handle post are briefed and trained. Include reception staff. Encourage regular correspondents to put their return address on each item
-- ensure that all sources of incoming post (e.g. Royal Mail, couriers, hand delivery) are included in your screening process
-- ideally, post rooms should have independent air conditioning and alarm systems, as well as scanners and x-ray machines. Post rooms should also have their own washing and shower facilities, including soap and detergent
-- staff need to be aware of the usual pattern of deliveries and to be briefed of unusual deliveries. Train them to open post with letter openers (and with minimum movement), to keep hands away from noses and mouths and always to wash their hands afterwards. Staff should not blow into envelopes or shake them.
-- consider whether staff handling post need protective equipment such as latex gloves and face masks (seek advice from a qualified health and safety expert). Keep overalls and footwear available in case staff need to remove contaminated clothing
-- make certain that post opening areas can be promptly evacuated. Rehearse evacuation procedures and route, which should include washing facilities in which contaminated staff could be isolated and treated
-- prepare signs for display to staff in the event of a suspected or actual attack

Conference Announced: The Fraudster's Perspective on Fraud: Insights, Solutions and Prevention Strategies

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The views of convicted fraudsters, who have finished their prison sentence, will be aired at a national conference on fraud to be held by the University of Leicester spin-out company Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International Ltd (PRCI). The conference, entitled "The Fraudster's Perspective on Fraud: Insights, Solutions and Prevention Strategies" will take place at the Law Society in London on Thursday 8th March 2007.

Leicester criminologist and head of PRCI, Professor Martin Gill, will report on an ?insiders? view? of how frauds are carried out and what risks the fraudsters ran before they were caught, including passport fraud and company deceptions, with and without inside collusion.
Former fraudsters, who have already served their sentences, have been invited to discuss their own experiences, how easy it was to carry out fraud in the workplace, the skills they needed in order to succeed and why they finally got caught.
Other sessions will include a report on how offenders will get around the much coveted Chip and Pin card payment system from Frank Stajano (University of Cambridge). Moreover, there will be updates from the police and auditors about how they intend to tackle fraud given what the ex-frausters have said about security loopholes.
There will also be a live demonstration of computer forensics from Pat Beardmore of Protiviti.
The conference will take place at the Law Society in London on Thursday 8th March.
Professor Martin Gill commented:
?This is a chance to hear from ex fraudsters about how they committed their offences, and most importantly what would have stopped them. This is a unique opportunity.?

For more information please contact Jessica Green on the details below.

Perpetuity Conferences
Jessica Green
Training Co-ordinator
email: j.green@perpetuitygroup.com
phone: 0116 222 5550

Thieves risk life for scrap

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BUSINESSES in Amber Valley have been warned to be on their guard after a recent spate of copper theft. People are causing damage to property and disruption to businesses by ripping out copper pipes and cables to sell on as scrap metal. Some have even gone so far as to risk their own health by tearing wires out of electricity substations.

Inspector Steve Fairbrother of Derbyshire Police said: "It is often the case that the actual amount of copper stolen is negligible to the cost of the disruption and repair needed to rectify the damage.
"A business can be put out of action for a considerable period. Easy targets have been found to be toilets and copper cable left on display on open sites.
"I would urge that common sense steps are taken to secure any vulnerable areas where copper is stored."
This is a national problem caused by the rising price paid for scrap metal.
Derbyshire police are warning that these thefts are taken very seriously as they cause considerable damage and disruption.
In the cases where sub-stations have been targeted they also pose a potential danger of serious injury.
The force's business crime unit have already been working with companies and scrap metal merchants to offer advice and alert them to people trying to sell stolen scrap metal.
Inspector Fairbrother said: "No one can visibly see what we have smart watered.
"Anyone tempted to take in any scrap copper metal offered for sale need to be aware of the ease with which we can identify it."
SOURCE: www.belpernews.co.uk

Crime is business threat

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The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has announced that 57 per cent of small businesses have suffered crime over the past year. Many businesses are finding it hard as they have been targeted by criminals and in a recent survey, the FSB found that 40 per cent of shop owners do not report crime as they do not think it will make a difference.

"The group has called for the government to scrap proposals to drop custodial sentences for shoplifters.

David Croucher, FSB Crime Policy Chairman, said: "We literally cannot afford to go soft on crime against businesses.

"They are vital parts of the community, providing jobs, services and funding for local projects. They need to be supported if communities, particularly in deprived areas, are to survive.

"The proposal to remove the custodial sentence for repeat shoplifters sends out the wrong message to both businesses and criminals and we believe that it must be dropped.

"Our members believe that persistent offenders in particular have to be dealt with firmly to act as a deterrent to prevent future theft.

"The threat of a custodial sentence must remain for persistent shoplifters."

Making things hot for the villains

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A GROUP of businesses in Coventry have joined forces with police to help combat crime in their area. Warehouses and offices around Torrington Avenue, Tile Hill, had seen a recent increase in burglaries and vehicle crime and so formed a Business Watch scheme to tackle the problem. The initiative, which has already been running for two weeks, allows members to receive crime reduction advice from the police and share information via text messages, faxes and e-mails on incidents or possible suspects.

Police have increased foot patrols in the area and temporary CCTV has also been put into place around known hot spots.

Yesterday the Coventry Telegraph exclusively revealed how a similar CCTV-backed surveillance system covering 2,000 Coventry businesses could be set up across the city under a new Business Improvement District initiative.

Peter Sturgeon, community partnerships officer from Chase Avenue police station, said the Torrington Avenue scheme would cut crime.

"We approached a number of businesses on Torrington Avenue who agreed to come together as a Business Watch group," he added.

"Due to the number of businesses, we have split the area into zones and hope to start up more watch schemes in the coming months."

Darren Jones, managing director of Link Mailing Ltd and chairman of Business Watch has previously been a victim of business crime.

He said: "I know how upsetting, both economically and emotionally, crime can be to a business.

"This scheme is a great way for us to get to know our neighbouring businesses and work together to improve the area."

Source: The Coventry Telegraph

Tetragate eliminates 'tailgating'

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These days the term "tailgating" refers to more than freeways and nose-to-bumper traffic. In the security field, tailgating is equally troubling-it denotes a breach by which one individual closely follows another through a door or other access point secured by the use of electronic identification cards.

Conventional access point security systems employ high-frequency RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) badges or smart cards to allow authorised people to open doors and enter secure zones. With these technologies, the person must be within six inches of the reader to swipe their card and open the door. However, this is when the problem of tailgating can occur. Other badges or cards in the vicinity are not picked up by the reader; therefore, the system doesn't know there are other people entering at the same time-whether or not they actually possess a badge or card.

In response to this growing problem, epcSolutions has developed TetraGate, its exclusive, groundbreaking anti-tailgating softwareproduct. TetraGate, when combined with technologies and services from epcSolutions partners American Barcode and RFID, Zebra Card, Symbol Technologies, Fulcrum Biometrics and Infinova, forms a solution that can not only read a card/badge at 25 feet, but also match the cardholder's face using biometric facial recognition.

Source: Prosecuritytalk.com