Archive for category: News & Information

On Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November, the Chair of Honeybourne Parish Council had the honour of presenting a wreath at Honeybourne Railway Station as part of the Poppy Train initiative, organised by Great Western Railway (GWR).
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and the Parish Council is proud that our community was represented in this meaningful act of remembrance.
The Poppy Train initiative recognises the vital role of the railway during wartime and is now in its sixth year. Wreaths from local communities across the United Kingdom were transported by train to London Paddington Station, where they were laid at the War Memorial during the national Remembrance Service.
As part of the Railway 200 celebrations, this year’s event was the largest to date, with contributions from rail operating companies nationwide. The wreath from Honeybourne travelled alongside those from many other communities, forming a moving display of remembrance at Paddington.
The Parish Council extends its sincere thanks to Great Western Railway for continuing this significant tradition, and to all those involved in making this tribute possible.
Lest we forget.

Whilst Black Friday is nominally a one day event and one of the busiest shopping days of the year, Black Friday “deals” appear in abundance throughout the month of November.
So once again, it does not take long for criminals to seize another opportunity to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of their hard-earned cash. Therefore, just holding back, taking a few minutes to double check the Black Friday bargain is a genuine offer from a genuine retailer, can protect you from joining the increasing number of people who fall victim to these scams
• In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to tell if it is a bargain or a scam, especially in the run up to Black Friday!

• Criminals may try to trick you into purchasing goods/services that do not exist by advertising them at too good to be true prices.

• Protect your money and information by only using retailers you trust, or authorised sellers named on official websites when shopping for deals online.

• Beware of Phishing emails that appear to come from reputable retailers with “too good to miss” offers, never click on links in emails from unrecognised senders

• Check out the security of the Website by looking for the https:// in the website address and the padlock symbol which should be in the address bar, and not in the body of the site, as confirmation of a website’s security

• Fake websites can copy mainstream online retailers and enticing buyers with unbeatable prices, so always stick with well-known, reputable retailers online and check the URL is for the genuine retailer.

• Some online sellers may be selling counterfeit products at Black Friday prices

• Beware of limited time offers which create a false sense of urgency to get you to act quickly – Take Five before you buy.

• Criminals are making use of Artificial Intelligence – (AI) – more and more , to present much more convincing emails, adverts and fake websites, so check, check and check again

• Does the offer sound too good to be true? Are they refusing to provide you with additional photos? Do they want you to pay up front by bank transfer?

• Only use the secure payment method recommended by retailers and auction sites, where possible, use a credit card for purchases over £100 and up to £30,000 as you receive protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours.

If you have been a victim of fraud

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take prompt action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks.

You can also report fraudulent mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the fraudster’s phone number.

Scam calls received on WhatsApp can be blocked by opening the chat with the suspect phone number and tap on “Block”.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

COURIER FRAUD

Incidents of Courier Fraud continue to feature highly within reported Fraud Crime within our region, and so we have to continue to raise awareness of this type of crime.

Courier Fraud occurs when a fraudster contacts victim by telephone usually claiming to be a police officer, bank official or other law enforcement official.

The caller may also be able to confirm some easily obtainable basic details about the victim such as their full name and address. The caller will try and build up trust with the potential victim before proceeding.

Their aim is to get the victim to reveal their PIN, credit or debit card and /or bank details, and more than often will target the elderly as potential victims.

How does it work?

• The scammer calls you claiming to be from your bank or as a police officer and will tell you either a fraudulent payment on your account needs dealing with, or sometimes that a person has been arrested using your details and cards
• You may be asked to call the bank back to convince you the call is genuine using the number on the reverse of your card. However, the Scammer has still kept the line open so you are still touch with the Scammer
• If you do try to call your Bank back, always wait at least 5 minutes for the line to clear or use another phone
• They will either ask you for your card PIN number or tell you to key it into the phone – you should never be asked for your PIN or pass it over on the phone
• The Caller then tells you they will send a Courier to pick up your card – they may often provide a “password” to give to the Courier to make it sound even more genuine

Once they have your card and your PIN they then have access to your money.

Other versions of this scam include:

• Asking you to withdraw a large sum of cash which the police will mark and return to the banking system in an effort to identify a corrupt banking person – once you hand over the cash to the courier – it is gone
• Scammers have also realised now that when a more vulnerable person goes into the Bank to withdraw large sums of cash the Bank staff become suspicious, so the Scammer may tell the victim to withdraw the cash in Euros from a Foreign Exchange outlet
• A person claiming to be a Police Officer and is investigating sales of counterfeit goods then asks you to buy an expensive item such as a watch or jewellery from a specific retailer. You are then asked to hand it over to the Courier to deliver to the “Police” and again that is the last you see or hear of it.
• A further common variation is to tell you your bank account has been compromised, and you need to transfer all your money into a “Safe Account”. Once again you have delivered your cash directly to the Fraudster.

Protect yourself

• Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up if you get a call like this.
• If you need to call your bank back to check, wait five minutes; fraudsters may stay on the line after you hang up. Alternatively, use a different line altogether to call your bank.
• If you think you have been defrauded use the dedicated “159” telephone number for direct access to your Bank
• If you have fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.
• Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. Scam mobile calls can also be forwarded to 7726, followed by the word “CALL”, then the scam phone number
  • Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk
  • If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks.

  For further information visit:

  https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

(C2049 Stratford Road, Honeybourne) (Temporary Closure) Order 2025

Proposed Order: to close that part of C2049 Stratford Rd from its junction with C2274 Mickleton Rd to its junction with C2114 Chapel Rd.

Reason: Bridgeworks inspection by Network Rail

Exemptions: to permit access to any land or premises fronting the highway affected where there is no other form of access; and to allow the works to be undertaken.

Alternative route: C2049 Stratford Rd (part), C2114 Chapel Rd, C2114 Front St, C2114 Pebworth Rd, C2006 Buckle St, C2006 Station Rd and vice versa.

Maximum duration: 18 Months.  Anticipated duration: 1 day Commencing: 28 August 2025

Thomas Pollock Head of Commercial Law (Legal & Governance) County Hall Spetchley Road Worcester

7 August 2025