Chelmsley Team Newsletter

Chelmsley Team Newsletter

Good Evening Resident

Chelmsley Wood Team Newsletter 12th Feb 2026

Are you gearing up for a weekend of hearts & roses? What do you know about Romance Fraud

Fraudsters pretend to be someone else with fake profiles on social media and dating sites. A common trick scammers do is to use other people’s photos, making their social media or dating profile look more realistic. If you’re not sure you can use the reverse image search on Google. This shows you if the picture is showing up somewhere else on the internet, on another person’s profile.

Keeping their identity a secret - Romance fraudsters are not honest about their names.

They don’t reveal who they really are, and it’s rare for a scammer to talk to you on the phone. They use the same messages for lots of different people, to increase their chances of getting someone to engage with them. The romance scammers know that it’s possible to report someone on a social media site or dating app so they will try to get you to switch to a messaging app instead, like WhatsApp. Make sure people are genuine before sharing your phone number.

They might say they want to meet and even make plans, but it never actually happens.

Don’t trust someone with your personal information if you haven’t met in real life.

Romance scammers build trust over time. They chat in a certain way that makes victims feel like they’re in a real-life relationship. This makes it easier for them to ask for money.

They usually say the money is to help with an urgent problem. Like bills to pay, a medical emergency or they need money to travel to meet up with you.

Never send money to someone you don’t know in real life.

How to get help if you feel this has happened to you

Realising that a relationship is not real is hurtful, you can feel embarrassed and ashamed.

There’s nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. This happens to lots of people every year.

If you think that you or someone you know has been the victim of a romance scam, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or visit actionfraud.police.uk

Fraudsters know that if friends and family find out about an online relationship, they could ask questions, expose them and try to stop it. If someone asks you to keep the relationship a secret, or to share personal details, be suspicious. They may be trying to isolate and control you.

If you enter an online relationship, tell your family or a trusted friend. Their advice could help keep you safe.

You can call the Police on 101 or webchat at www.westmidlands.police.uk

Always phone 999 in an emergency.

We have literature on the different types of scams with us when holding our residential engagements, check below at Dates for your Diary for times & places where you can meet with us.

We have held a couple of engagements this week and have enjoyed discussing all manner of topics with our residents.

Crime prevention is always top topic for me, the little things we can do to keep ourselves and our property safe will make a difference.

For instance, my top three for tackling Vehicle Crime

Don’t leave valuables in the car.

Use a faraday pouch for key-less ignition vehicle keys, including spare keys. It stops the signal being intercepted.

To prevent cannibalism of front bumpers, park up close to something solid or bumper to bumper with another vehicle.

Crime Updates

At 18:45hrs on the 5th Feb, a V/W Tiguan had the tyres slashed & windscreen damaged on Wilson Avenue.

Between 00:00 & 07:02hrs on 7th Feb, a Ford Van was stolen from Hedingham Grove.

Overnight 7th-8th Feb, the front of a Ford Puma was removed whilst parked on Berwicks Lane.

Early hours of 8th Feb, another Ford Puma had the front removed on Beech Ave.

At 22:15hrs on the 8th Feb, 3 males have attempted to break into a garage on Piccadilly Close.

Between 09:00 & 09:48hrs on 10th Feb, a Mitsubishi Warrior had a window smashed and various tools stolen whilst parked on Walnut Close.

Between 01:00 & 08:30hrs on 11th Feb, a V/W Tiguan had the rear window smashed and items stolen whilst parked on Piccadilly Close.

Between 17:45hrs on 10th & 07:45hrs on the 11th Feb, a Vauxhall Mokka was entered and a laptop, it’s charger and a purse was stolen whilst parked on Moorend Ave.

At 03:04hrs on 12th Feb, a Ford Kuga was stolen from Rowan Way.

Again, in response to the crime happening in the early hours, the Chelmsley Wood Officers have adjusted their shifts to provide extra patrols throughout the night this week. These patrols have kept the Officers busy with plenty of searches of both people and vehicles.

A male was searched on Marlene Croft.

A vehicle and 2 males were searched after acting suspicious on Winchester Drive.

A vehicle and 3 people were searched after the vehicle pulled up alongside a known drug user and then on seeing Officers tried to make off at speed but was stopped by another Police vehicle.

3 further vehicles made off from Officers during the night after acting suspiciously on Moorend Ave, Willow Way & Greenlands Road. Officers will submit Intelligence and place markers on these vehicles.

As well as Police patrols we have a very dedicated group of volunteers who patrol our area too. Chelmsley Wood Streetwatch do a fantastic job and tonight we had the great honour of welcoming Solihull’s Mayor out on patrol with us. Madam Mayor was once a member of the Shirley SW team and thoroughly enjoyed the walk around our area this evening, it is just a shame I couldn’t order better weather for us.

Dates for your Diary

Cuppa with a Coppa, Tuesday 10th March 18:00x19:30hrs at Three Trees Community Centre Hedingham Grove B37 7TP

Three Trees Spring Fayre, Saturday 28th March 14:00x16:00hrs, address as above.

Have you seen the Action on ASB survey yet? I've attached the file to this message, open it up and and follow the QR code.

Until next time

Stay safe & well

PCSO Vicki

Chelmsley Wood Neighbourhood Policing Team

Attachments

ASB Survey Letter from NHTs - V3 (1).docx

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Vicki Poole 30877
(Police, PCSO, Chelmsley Wood NHT SHAE, Marston Green SHAA & Fordbridge SHAH)