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This Newsletter has been produced by the Petersfield COVID-19 Network. It is intended to help and inform Petersfield residents, especially those who are unable to leave their homes because of Government restrictions.
If you have information which would be of benefit to other residents in Petersfield please contact Romsey Mill with details and we will consider using it in future newsletters.
If you know someone who would like to receive the paper version of this newsletter, please ask them to contact Romsey Mill via phone or via post: Romsey Mill Centre, Hemingford Road, Cambridge CB1 3BZ (you do not need a stamp if you add “FREEPOST CB1067”) or call 07933 671101.
Romsey Mill can also offer assistance by putting you in contact with volunteers, who can help collecting shopping and medication.
For all residents experiencing other Covid related issues (e.g. needing help while they isolate, or experiencing financial hardship support) speak to a member of the customer services team at Cambridge City Council. Telephone 01223 458780 or contact Simon.Aslett@cambridge.gov.uk or complete an online help request form here https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus
Shielding
From 1 August, the government will pause shielding unless the transmission of COVID-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.
This means:
- the government will no longer be advising you to shield
- the support from the National Shielding Service of free food parcels, medicine deliveries and care will stop
- NHS Volunteer Responders will carry on delivering the food you buy, prescriptions and essential items to you if you need it
- you will still be eligible for priority supermarket slots (if you have registered by 17 July)
Although the free food parcels have ceased for those who are able to pay, it is still possible to order food parcels. Commercial options include telephone ordering, food box delivery, prepared meal delivery and other non-supermarket food delivery providers. Please contact Romsey Mill (07933 671101) or the City Council (01223 458780) who will advise.
Stay at home as much as you can and continue to take precautions when you do go out. You can do this by washing your hands regularly, avoiding touching your face and keeping 2 metres away from people outside of your household or bubble wherever possible.
From 1 August, you’ll be advised you could go out to more places and see more people, for example, the advice is:
- you can go to work, as long as the workplace is COVID-secure – but carry on working from home if you can
- children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can go back to school (when the rest of their class goes back)
- you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise – keeping 2 metres away wherever possible
Gas Works in Mill Road
Works won’t now start on 27th July as advertised, since the build-outs will need to be removed to allow short stretches of one way traffic with temporary signals. Cllr Linda Jones has also pushed for the ever deepening potholes (marked with white lines!) to be filled quickly otherwise that whole section of road could collapse.
The planned work is as follows:
- Phase 1, when it starts will be between Mortimer Rd and Guest Rd, with two way signals. This will last 4 weeks and initially the closed section will be on the shops side as Triio accesses the new gas main (laid last year) to do the connections to the shops. After that the closed section will be the pavements on the residential side, with temporary footways created in the roadway, so still a one way section for traffic but on the other side of the road. They will be connecting individual properties to the new gas main.
- Phase 2 will be between Guest Rd and Mackenzie Rd and will take around 3 weeks. There will be 3-way signals to enable exit/entry from side roads. Again works will start on the shops side and then move to the residential side.
Latest statistics from Test and Trace in Cambridge
Public Health England data from Test and Trace indicate there were 339 confirmed cases from both hospital testing (Pillar 1) and community testing (Pillar 2) in Cambridge on 29th July. This is an increase of 12 from last week, indicating that the level of infection is increasing slightly. In view of this, it is clearly important that everyone should follow the guidelines.
Criminals are Trying to steal your money
Cambridgeshire Police are warning that fraudsters are using sophisticated methods to callously exploit people, with many concerned about their financial situation and the state of the economy.
Some scams urge people to invest and “take advantage of the financial downturn”. Others impersonate well-known subscription services to get people to part with their cash and personal information. Criminals are even posing as representatives from the NHS Test and Trace service in an effort to trick people into giving away their personal details.
The scams to be on the lookout for and how to spot them:
- Covid-19 financial support scams
- Beware fake emails offering ‘government’ grants of up to £7,500. The emails contain links which steal personal and financial information from victims.
- Fraudsters have also been sending scam emails which offer access to ‘Covid-19 relief funds’ encouraging victims to fill in a form with their personal information.
- Criminals have been targeting people with official-looking emails offering a ‘council tax reduction’. These emails, which use government branding, contain links which lead to a fake government website which is used to access personal and financial information.
- Fraudsters are also preying on benefit recipients, offering to help apply for Universal Credit, while taking some of the payment as an advance for their “services”.
- Health scams
Criminals are preying on the public by sending emails and links purporting to be from the Test and Trace service, claiming that the recipient has been in contact with someone diagnosed with Covid-19. These lead to fake websites that are used to steal personal and financial information or infect devices with malware.
Victims are also being targeted by fake adverts for Covid-related products such as hand sanitizer and face masks which do not exist.
- Lockdown scams
Criminals are sending fake emails and texts claiming to be from TV Licensing, telling people they are eligible for six months of free TV license because of the coronavirus pandemic. Victims are told there has been a problem with their direct debit and are asked to click on a link that takes them to a fake website used to steal personal and financial information.
Customers have been targeted by criminals sending convincing emails asking them to update their payment details to various TV subscription services by clicking on a link which is then used to steal credit card information.
Fraudsters are also exploiting those using online dating websites by creating fake profiles on social media sites used to manipulate victims into handing over their money. Often criminals will use the identities of real people to strike up relationships with their targets.
Criminals are using social media websites to advertise fake investment opportunities, encouraging victims to “take advantage of the financial downturn”. Bitcoin platforms are using emails and adverts on social media platforms to encourage unsuspecting victims to put money into fake investment companies using fake websites.
The banking and finance sector is working with the government and law enforcement to help identify scams and prevent people becoming victims of fraud. The industry is also encouraging everyone to remain vigilant and to follow the advice of the Take Five To Stop Fraud | Get Safe Online, and to Stop, Challenge and Protect when they receive any messages out of the blue
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.
Beware of Dog Thefts
Dog thefts have increased 10-fold during the pandemic. Ensure your dog is microchipped and registered with up to date information and has a collar and dog tag (use your surname rather than the dog’s name and your telephone contact). Take plenty of clear photographs of your dog and especially of any distinctive markings. Never leave a dog unattended in the garden, car or outside shops.
Don’t give details of your pets, your location or your favourite walking spots on social media and make sure your security settings are set to friends only. When out, always know where your dog is. Be mindful of anyone who may be trying to distract your attention from your dog or attract your dog’s attention away from you.
If your dog is stolen report it to police on 101 and to your local authority dog warden