WARWICKSHIRE POLICE are appealing to senior members of the community, individuals who are vulnerable and those that may care for them to be vigilant particularly when it comes to unsolicited telephone calls being received that appear to be from banks, HMRC, the police, the NHS or other similar organisations.

The appeal has been renewed after Banking staff in Kenilworth acted promptly and contacted Kenilworth Police as a 90yr old member of the community attended the bank and tried to withdraw thousands of pounds from his account.

Thankfully the bank staff and police prevented what was a scam from succeeding. Kenilworth Watch would like to thank both the local banking staff and our police for the way they supported the elderly member of the community, prevented what would have been subsequent distress to him and stopped a crime. The event highlights how plausible these telephone calls can be and how they can easily lead to people losing a considerable amount of their money and savings.

Warwickshire Police would like to stress that no one should withdraw money, provide personal details or their banking details in response to any unsolicited telephone call, text or email.

Anyone receiving such a telephone call is advised to say nothing and replace the receiver immediately. The organisations that these criminals impersonate to scam money DO NOT contact individuals in such a way.

If you care for an elderly or vulnerable person please make them aware to ignore these type of calls and to not provide any personal details.

Please be aware that between 23.45hrs on Thursday 4 March and 0730hrs on Friday 5 March 2021 offenders have stolen a white BMW Series 1 motor vehicle from a private drive at a property in Windy Arbour, Kenilworth. The motor vehicle was stolen without the keys suggesting this was a “keyless entry” car theft.

Owners of cars fitted with keyless entry are reminded and advised to place their vehicle keys in a “Faraday Cage” or “Faraday Pouch” to prevent such thieves from making contact with the signal that is emitted from the vehicle’s keys and which can enable the thieves to gain entry and steal the vehicle. (see further information at the base of this alert)

This is incident 75 of 5 March 2021

Please be aware that between 1400hrs and 1630hrs on Saturday 6 March 2021 offenders have smashed the nearside window of a purple Peugeot 107 motor vehicle that was parked at Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth. It is unclear at this stage what if anything has been taken from the vehicle.

This is incident 241 of 6 March 2021

If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have any information related to either of these incidents then please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Please be aware that between 2030hrs and 2250hrs on Monday 1 March 2021 offenders have stolen a Grey Range Rover motor vehicle from the private drive of a property at Rounds Hill, Kenilworth. The car was stolen without keys suggesting it maybe a “keyless car theft”.

This is incident 402 of 1 March 2021

Please be aware that between 0100hrs and 0700hrs on Tuesday 2 March 2021 offenders have stolen a grey Ford Kuga from the private drive of a property at Rounds Hill, Kenilworth. The car was stolen without keys suggesting it maybe a “keyless car theft”.

This is incident 76 of 2 March 2021

Owners of motor vehicles that have keyless entry and ignition systems are advised to place their keys in a signal blocking  ‘Faraday cage’ (a metal container that prevents the signal and key being contacted by a device that thieves can use to steal keyless entry vehicles). An example is shown below (cost approx £20)  

Faraday pouches are also available (cost approx £8)

Please be aware that between 1000hrs and 1100hrs on Tuesday 2 March 2021 offenders have forced the door on a red Nissan Micra motor vehicle parked at Beehive Hill, Kenilworth. Once they gained entry to the vehicle they have stolen  a black leather handbag containing a purse and bank cards which were subsequently used by the offenders.

This is incident 129 of 2 March 2021

If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious of if you have any information that may relate to any of these incidents please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

The February Update for Kenilworth’s Safer Neighbourhood Team has now been published and is available here at this link.

Please be aware that between 1430hrs and 1700hrs on Monday 15 February 2021 offenders have smashed the lock of the drivers door on a Toyota Hylux motor vehicle parked at Rouncil Lane, Kenilworth and stolen a quantity of De Walt power tools and personal items.

This is incident 340 of 15 February 2021

Please be aware that at approximately 1700hrs on Monday 15 February 2021 in the Westhill Road/Bericote Road area between Kenilworth and Cubbington a small van, complete with a set of ladders on its roof rack, was set on fire at a field in this area.

This is incident 293 of 15 February 2021

If you think you may have seen or heard anything suspicious or have information about either of these incidents please contact Warwickshire Police on 101 or alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111