News

Family messaging scam

Sussex Police and Surrey Police continue to see reports relating to family messaging WhatsApp scams.

In this fraudulent occasion, the fraudster will pretend to be a family member. The message will come from a different number which they will provide a believable explanation for like their phone broke so they’re messaging from a different number.  They may then move to a different messaging platform.

Once they feel that the victim believes them, they will then request money or gift cards in payment.

Sussex Police recently received a report from a woman who received a message from someone claiming to be their daughter stating that they were in financial hardship. Keen to support her daughter through this, she sent nearly £1,000. 

It was only when the call was made to confirm that the payment was received that the victim was made aware it was a scam. Fortunately, the victim in this case got their money back from their bank and there was no financial impact to them.  

However, we still see regular reports of family messaging fraud with nearly 50 people reporting this in the last year alone. This was followed by vulnerable visits conducted by Sussex Police and Surrey Police.

Top Tips  

• Verify the source – Contact the person on their usual number to verify that they have contacted you.
• “Hi Mum/Dad” – Is this how they would usually begin a message to you? Is it the name they would use?
• Stop! Think Fraud! – Don’t feel pressured into sending money. Confirm with them that they have requested this by the usual contact method.
• Check the text – You can report suspicious texts to 7726.
• Look out for others – make fraud part of everyday conversations.
• Two-step verification - ensure you have added protection of additional verification on your device and apps.

You can find more information here at Stop! Think Fraud  

Gift Cards

Increasingly fraud is becoming more complex with fraudsters changing and evolving their processes to ensure that their victims are bypassing security measures that have been implemented to protect them. 

One way in which they have done this is by asking their victims to purchase gift cards and provide them with the codes to access the funds immediately.  They will often request high amounts, typically over £100, and the request may be repeated. If this happens, this is likely to be fraud.

Scammers will contact their victims, usually by phone, where they instill panic urging the victim to make a payment by purchasing vouchers and gift cards from their nearest retailer. Often victims will go to their local supermarket.

Once the cards have been purchased, the scammer accesses the money by asking the victim to share the code on the back of the voucher.

Scammers are very good at manipulating their victims to believe they need help, where victims do not realise that vouchers could be used for anything other than helping their family members.

Companies that are being used frequently, such as Apple for their iTunes vouchers, have begun to additionally provide safeguarding advice and what to do if you have been a victim of a scam through this method. Read more here.   

Fraud prevention in the community – Is this volunteering role for you?

We are looking for volunteers to joins our existing Volunteer Fraud Prevention Programme in an exciting new role as a community engagement volunteer. The volunteers will work alongside our Neighbourhood Policing Teams based in local police stations, delivering fraud prevention advice and guidance to residents in Sussex.

This will include engaging with the public in a variety of different settings such as delivering fraud presentations and attending events/key locations to hand out to our fraud prevention literature and provide advice and education to the public e.g. Farmers markets, community centres and libraries.

If you feel that this is something that you would like to be involved with advert goes live on 2 June 2025, please complete the application on the Sussex Police website under Volunteers and Special Constables or use the following link: https://www.sussex.police.uk/police-forces/sussex-police/areas/careers/jobs/

We plan on a volunteering role for Surrey Police too which you can read about in next month’s newsletter!

Fraud prevention in the community

Book your free cyber prevention with the South East Cyber Crime Unit webinars 

Surrey Police and partners will be providing fraud prevention advice with a focus on doorstep crime at the following locations – 

Farnham 24 June at Waitrose Car Park.

Dorking 26 June 2025 at St. Martins Walk Car Park.

With even more to follow! You can email SussexandSurreyFraudPreventionEngagements@surrey.police.uk to learn about the latest events.

Keeping our communities safe from fraud events

If you or your organisation in Sussex or Surrey feels that you could benefit from having a free tailored fraud prevention in person engagement, please contact Sussex Police and Surrey Police directly on SussexandSurreyFraudPreventionEngagements@surrey.police.uk for further information.

Planning on travelling over the next few weeks or looking for something to do?

Major events:

Epsom Derby meeting:

The 2025 Epsom Ladies Day and Derby meetings are due to take place on Friday 6th June and Saturday 7th June respectively.

Event traffic management measures will be in place and congestion is likely. Due to the 420/460 buses running close to the racecourse they may be subject to delays and diversions including- please check before you travel.

British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride.

On Sunday 15th June (Father’s Day) we see the return of the British Heart Foundation London To Brighton Bike Ride.

There will be a large number of road closures and diversions for this event. If you want to show your support to those undertaking this 56 mile journey the nearest viewing area is by the Dog & Duck pub at Outwood.

Looking for something on the estate?

Don’t forget that each month we have a number of local events on Whitebushes:

Are you interested in gardening or want to learn more about it?

The Kiln community gardens team meets on the first Saturday of the month at Kiln Walk to maintain the community garden. 

Interested in pond restoration work?

On the first Saturday of the month the team also work on the pond on Ambleside Close with support from a pond restoration specialist providing us expert knowledge.

Interested  in football?

Thanks to the team at Redhill football club for their coaching on the pitch on Bushfield drive. The club runs adverts for the events via their Facebook page.

Interested in meeting your neighbours for a chat and cuppa?

On the Third Saturday of the month there is the Whitebushes Warm Welcome coffee morning at the village hall  on the junction of Three Arch Road and Masons Bridge Road

YMCA Y bus visits:

Please check the YMCA site for the timetable of visits to the estate of the Y-bus which often sets up by the Bushfield Drive playground and football pitch.

Please remember to visit the regular and adhoc events calendars to find out more about what is happening locally. New contributors of information include The Archway Theatre in Horley and the local Age Concern branch.

The hospital friends shop is seeking volunteers to help either in their shop or with deliveries.

A planing application that had over 2,000 objections for redeveloping the forecourts at Redhill railway station with an extremely large residential development, which would have had detrimental impact on traffic flow and taxi rank provision, was refused by the planning committee at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council a few months back. we have found out that an appeal has now been launched. Further details and links will be added as soon as we have any more news..

Thank you to all the people that came to the Whitebushes Warm Welcome today.

Next dates for your diary

7th June - 10am to 12 noon

Kiln Community Gardens & Whitebushes pond (located on Ambleside Close) working party.

This is a great day to come out learn more about gardening, pond restoration and meet other residents .

Saturday 21st June 11:00 - 12:30

Whitebushes Warm Welcome

Coffee morning and another opportunity to get to know more of your neighbours from across the estate.

With 80% of women in the UK reporting harassment in public spaces and 75% of harassment victims saying no one helped, the need for action is urgent. 

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has partnered with L’Oréal Paris to deliver the Stand Up Against Street Harassment training programme across the UK. 

Developed by international NGO Right To Be, this globally approved free bystander intervention training empowers individuals to safely step in and support victims of public harassment.

Join over 18,000 people in the UK who've already completed the training by booking one of our May dates:
 

👉 22nd of May 12:00-12.30

👉29th of May 12:00-12:30

Sign up now at 

www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Events/Category/events

Most people want to help but don’t know how - this training changes that. Together, we can make public spaces safer for everyone.

We have recently added a large number of forthcoming events to the ad-hoc events listing as well as a number of regular events including contributions from the local Age Concern group and The Archway Theatre in Horley.

If you, or someone you know, is organising and event or run a support club/group please remember we do not charge to feature on this website. We accept listing from organisations based in the areas covered by:

• Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
• Tandbridge District Council
• Mole Valley District Council 
• Epsom and Ewell Borough Council.

Some Metrobus timetables are changing from Saturday with the 100 seeing more services introduced.

 A new timetable for the 400 allowing time for the ongoing diversion in the Godstone area following the sink hole appearing Is also hoped to improve service punctuality.

Help in the bushes wishes to remind you that the next Whitebushes warm welcome will take place on Saturday 17th May from 11:00 to 12:30 at the village hall.

All are welcome.

Dates for December events will be listed nearer the time

Firstly the team at Help in the bushes would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Despite the long bank holiday resulting in some being away, we still managed to run the Whitebushes Warm Welcome today with an Easter theme and the free raffle with an incredible turnout of members of the local community. 

It was also nice to see some new faces come to their first event who also commented how the event really lives upto it’s name

We are pleased to announce following campaigning by a member of Help in the bushes over a prolonged period that the pavement on Bushfield Drive between Denton Close and Three Arch Road has now been restored to it‘s former width with the overgrowth of the common removed.

We are skill pushing for other works on the estate to be completed.

would you like to find out more about setting up or joining a Men’s Shed?

Men’s Shed is about men getting together in a welcoming inclusive space:

To work on personal or community projects.

Learn and share practical skills.

Sit back with a cuppa - chat if you want, or not!

For more information please contact Charlie Griswood on 07825 351472 or email Charlie.Griswood@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

We have been advised of this new time for the Y bus from YMCA East Surrey visiting the estate. We hope that visitor numbers to the bus will increase and ask you to support this youth initiative.

On Saturday 19th April we will be hosting the next Whitebushes Warm Welcome coffee morning at Whitebushes Village Hall at the junction of Masons Bridge Road & Three Arch Road between 11:00 and 12:30 all are welcome.

should you not be familiar with the village hall there is also a footpath running alongside the common from Bushfield Drive (by the playground) past the football pitch all the way to the village hall. This path also takes you past the lovely Kiln Community Garden.

if you have the free What3Words app just enter mini.zeal.pipes into the app and it will show you the village hall and give you options for directions.

Reigate and Banstead Police

Safer Neighbourhood Team

Dear Residents,

Going on holiday?

As we are at the start of the Easter holidays, many of our residents will be going away, which can lead to an increase in burglaries.  If you are going away, please consider this crime prevention advice, to go alongside your normal property security.  

·  Make your home look occupied. For example, using timer switches on lights.

·  Ask a trusted neighbour to check on your home and move any post out of sight.

· Cancel milk and newspaper deliveries.

·  Try not to arrange any on-line deliveries which might be left outside your property.

·  Don’t advertise that you are going away or that you are away on social media.

·  If possible, leave a car on the drive/outside your property or ask a neighbour to park their car on the drive/outside your property while you are away.

·  If you have a lawn, try, and cut it just before you go away.

·  Lock away any valuable items such as pedal bicycles, they may be safer in your home than in a shed. 

·  If you have a garage or outbuildings please make sure they are secure.

Below is the link to the Surrey Police website to report and, also to find crime advice and further updates, including how to prevent Scams.

https://www.surrey.police.uk

Balletcore are pleased to announce that their new term is starting shortly across East Surrey. The start dates are:

ADULT BALLET CLASSES

28th April 7pm - Caterham Community Centre

23rd April 6.15pm - Reigate Parish School

23rd April 7.45pm - Donyngs Leisure Centre

24th April 8pm at Merstham Park School

For more information please visit https://www.balletcore.co.uk

Following feedback about trying to find the village hall for the last Whitebushes Warm welcome we have decided to include the really useful What3Words app to our posters.

What3Words is a free app that has divided the entire planet into 3 metre x 3 metre squares which have a unique combination of three words.

You can use these three worlds to help to share the location such as if you are meeting in a large place and want to direct other to you (Unless you move). This can also be useful in the event of an emergency for directing responders to you if you are out enjoying the countryside with no clearly distinguishable landmarks.

The logo for this app is shown in the picture. If you wish to download it please visit your App Store.

We are pleased to announce that the roadworks on the estate have been concluded and buses are now back serving the estate

Bushfield Drive is closed today (2nd April) until 9th April due to a burst water main. 

Denton Close, Edgefield Close and Hawthorn Close access via Bushfield Drive. 

The rest of the estate access via Spencer Way.

During this closure the buses will be unable to serve the estate with the nearest stop in use being East Surrey Hospital.

Turning on 2SV gives your most important accounts an extra level of protection, especially your email. It can be turned on in a matter of minutes – time well spent to keep the fraudsters out.

Police took to the streets of Guildford, on Monday, 17 April as part of a national day of action, to raise awareness with the residents of 2SV also known as 2 Factor Authentication (2FA). 

The team, which included local and regional representatives, spoke with commuters at Guildford train station about the importance of having the security process in place on their online platforms. They then went into Guildford town centre and were invited into Barclays Bank to provide the information to their customers, engaging with them inside and with other members of the community outside the branch.

Helpful fraud prevention literature was also shared with other banking organisations.

2SV can usually be found in the security settings of your account. Sometimes it’s called 2-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA). It is available for most of the major online services, such as email, banking, and social media.

By setting up 2SV, it can help protect you from cyber criminals as it asks for more information to prove your identity when you log in to your online accounts.

It provides a way of ‘double checking’ that you really are the person you are claiming to be when you log in so creates double the work for criminals trying to access your online accounts, even if they know your password.

Even if you’ve always looked after your passwords, they can still be stolen through no fault of your own – it’s easier than you think for someone to steal your password. 

When you turn on 2SV, you will be asked to provide a ‘second step’, which is something that you (and only you) can access.

This could be a code that’s sent to you by text message or created by an app.

You may also be able to use your fingerprint, facial recognition, or memorable information. You don’t necessarily need a mobile to turn on 2SV. Some providers will let you use a landline number, or a separate device, such as a card reader or USB stick.

We recommend turning on 2SV for your email and social media accounts, as well as any accounts that contain lots of personal or sensitive information. Often online banking has 2SV enabled by default but do double check if you are unsure.

Take a few minutes to secure your online accounts now.

Financial abuse by a known person

As people age their need to rely on others for support can increase,  whether that is through personal care needs, day-to-day tasks or financial affairs. Financial abuse can take many forms, including abuse by a position of trust and sadly can be perpetrated by someone close to you. 

Friends, family members, carers or company employees may be asked to look after your personal or business finances. They may instead take advantage of their access to bank accounts or information for their own benefit or misuse the assets of a business to embezzle funds for themselves.

In 2024, Sussex Police received 224 reports of financial abuse by suspects known to the victims with Surrey Police receiving 112 reports for the same period.  These reports accounted for a combined loss of over £13 million pounds, with almost half of these cases relating to victims over 75 years old. 

Older people can be an unfortunate target of this crime type, due to being in receipt of pensions and due to the higher value of assets they may have built up, by comparison to younger age groups. 

Reporting a fraud by a person known to you can be increasingly difficult if the suspect is a family member, carer, or friend as there may not be an alternative support network outside the influence of the suspect. There can also be the risk and/or fear of retaliation or further victimisation which can inhibit reporting.

In a recent example, a housebound man in poor health from Sussex, was financially abused by a member of his own family.  They had offered to do his shopping for him, which the man agreed to, and gave the relative his bank card and PIN number. 

Eventually this came to police attention when he had fallen behind on his rent, had very little food in the house and insufficient funds to pay his bills.

It transpired that an additional £8,000 had been taken from his account, by the relative, without his knowledge. 

In a similar case in Surrey, an elderly female had sought the support of a close friend to buy her groceries using her bank card (having also shared her PIN).  After six months, it was discovered that £3,000 had been taken from her account unlawfully and welfare concerns were made regarding the lack of money she had left to pay her utility bills.

This fraud type when perpetrated by a family member or friend is a betrayal that can have devastating effects on the victim.

If you have been given a position of trust, it is your responsibility to keep a close eye on the individual’s finances, particularly if they are vulnerable. Handle bills and statements with care and shred them before throwing them out.

If you are concerned that a vulnerable person in your area is being financially abused by someone they know, report your concerns to Sussex Police or Surrey Police on 101.

On Sunday 30th March, the clocks spring forward 1 hour at 1:00AM (GMT) to 2:00AM (BST) ⏰

Trips starting before 1:00 AM will run as usual on GMT. Services scheduled to depart between 1:00 AM and 2:00 AM will not operate. Any trips starting at 2:00 AM or later will follow BST.

There will be some changes to route 20 and route 100.  🚌 

Find out more: metrobus.co.uk/service-updates

Dear resident, 

We have seen an increase in reports of shed break-ins across Surrey this week, and we want to remind you to secure any outbuildings just as you would your home.

First off, check your home insurance covers the contents of any shed, garage or outbuilding from theft. Ensure any security lights or CCTV are in working order, and consider a battery-operated shed alarms.

Next up, take a look at your shed and consider the steps you could take to make it more secure, whether that be securing windows with wire mesh or grills, or investing in a strong padlock with no exposed screws.

And as the weather begins to take a brighter turn, perhaps it could be time to get planting - and what better than ones which can look great and keep your property safe?

Watch our video on all things defensive planting here: https://youtu.be/4fZQU3KbfwI?si=pzxM1MiDmqnwIhVC

 Message Sent By
Lauren Wise
(Surrey Police, Corporate Communications, Communications Officer, Surrey)

Due to an increased number of norovirus cases, please do not visit East Surrey Hospital unless you have an urgent clinical need and especially if you are experiencing diarrhoea or vomiting or have experienced any symptoms in the last 48 hours. 

You can find out more information on Norovirus here: https://bit.ly/41Tw3bm. 

During this time, we are also making some temporary changes to visiting – you can find out more information here: https://www.surreyandsussex.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors

Protect your online accounts from hackers and enable 2SV: Action Fraud issue new warning about social media and email account hacking as new data is revealed. 

This year Action Fraud and Meta are encouraging the public to protect their social media and email accounts as data shows there were more than 35,000 reports made last year. 

Data shows there was a rise of social media and email account hacking reported in 2024, with a total of 35,434 reports made to Action Fraud, compared to 22,530 reports made in 2023.

Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, has launched a campaign, supported by Meta, to encourage people to take an extra step of online protection by enabling 2-Step Verification for each online account they have. The warning comes as reporting shows nearly £1 million was lost to hackers last year. 

The most common motives for social media hacking were either investment fraud, ticket fraud or theft of the targeted account, reporting insights revealed.

Adam Mercer, Deputy Director of Action Fraud, said:

“As social media and email account hacking remains the most reported cybercrime this year, this Action Fraud campaign marks a critical issue for everyone who has online accounts. That’s why we’re raising awareness of the ways people can protect themselves online.

“Follow Stop! Think Fraud advice and protect yourself online: enable 2-Step Verification on each online account you have – this will help prove your identity and stop fraudsters trying to steal or access your valuable information. Secure your social media and email accounts by ensuring each password is strong and uses three random words. Remember to never share your passwords with anyone else.”

David Agranovich, Security Policy Director, Meta, said: 

“Scammers are relentless and continuously evolving their tactics to try and evade detection, which is why we’re constantly working on new ways to keep people safe while keeping bad actors out. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is one crucial example of how people can add an extra layer of security to their Meta accounts, to help reduce the risk of scammers accessing your accounts. We’ve also started rolling out facial recognition technology to help people get back into compromised or hacked accounts and are always working on new ways to stay ahead of scammers.”

In the reports made to Action Fraud, there were various different methods of hacking highlighted, these include: 

On-platform chain hacking 

This is when a fraudster gains control of an account and begins to impersonate the legitimate owner. The goal is to convince people to reveal authentication codes, including one-time passcodes, that are sent to them via text. Many victims of this type of hacking believe it’s a friend messaging them, however the shared code was associated with their own account and the impersonator can now use it to access their account. Usually when an account is taken over, fraudsters monetise control of the account via the promotion of various fraudulent schemes, like fake tickets or crypto investment schemes, while impersonating the original account owner. 

Leaked passwords and phishing

The other common method of hacking is when account details are gained via phishing scams, or the use of leaked information used from data breaches, such as leaked passwords. This becomes prevalent as people often use the same password for multiple accounts, so a leaked password from one website can leave many of their online accounts vulnerable to hacking. 

What can you do to avoid being a victim?

• 2-step verification (2SV) will keep criminals out of your account – even if they know your password. Turning on 2SV gives your most important accounts an extra level of protection, especially your email and social media accounts. It can be turned on in a matter of minutes – time well spent to keep the fraudsters out. Find out how to enable it here.
• Email and social media passwords should be strong and different to all of your other passwords. A good way to make sure your passwords are ‘long enough and strong enough’ is to combine three random words to create a unique password which is easy to remember. Find out more here.

Report suspicious emails by forwarding it to: report@phishing.gov.uk

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you’ve lost money or provided your financial information to someone, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Message Sent By
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)

Surrey County Council, in discussion with schools and partners, has agreed to continue funding to provide families with children eligible for benefit-related free school meals(FSM) attending Surrey schools and education settings with supermarket food vouchers during the Easter 2025 break.

Supermarket food vouchers will no longer be available to:

• children in receipt of Funded Early Education for Two-Year-olds (FEET) unless eligible for EYPP on economic grounds,
• children who are in receipt of EYPP on non-economic grounds.
  
  

A £30 voucher per eligible child will be funded for the whole Easter period. This is a single payment and no additional payment is available for schools/settings with a longer holiday period. Please note that vouchers are not available to non-Surrey pupils in Surrey independent schools.

Please see: Household Support Grant update - Easter 2025

You can now book blood test appointments online for the first time using SwiftQueue, our new patient booking system designed to reduce waiting times, improve efficiency, and enhance patient experience.

Patients at East Surrey Hospital can access the new online portal to book an appointment from 10 March 2025, whilst patients at Crawley and Horsham Hospitals will be able to book appointments from 1 April 2025.

The Trust will continue to accept walk-in patients until Monday 31 March 2025.

You can find out more here - https://bit.ly/43ivYPd

Book an appointment here - https://bit.ly/4hLjjsy

For anyone unable to book using the online booking system, please call 0300 6134117 and a member of our team will book an appointment for you.

Thank you for your support as we continue to improve our services! 💙

Please note from Monday 10th March East Surrey Hospital is moving the blood tests to the East entrance.

Next litter pick:

Saturday 22nd March 11:00 to 12:30

Meeting at the playground on Bushfield Drive

Kiln Community Garden and Whitebushes pond team

The first Saturday of each month (except Jan)

Whitebushes warm welcome - coffee morning

The third Saturday of each month 11:00 to 12:30 held at the Whitebushes Village Hall

As we enter the new year we are pleased to announce we have set up our events windows upto the beginning of May. if you are organising an event and would like to be listed for free please email the team.

We have also recently added more events to our regular events and adhoc calendars, and clubs and activities pages for more information.

Facing a challenge but want to volunteer please speak to this organisation that will support you to find volunteering opportunities.

A landside in the Gatwick / Three Bridges area is currently causing delays please allow extra time for your journeys.

Delays and cancellations have occurred today. 

Following the recent flood alert the River Mole has experienced a surge of water. as a result tankers have returned to the A23 at Salfords with temporary traffic lights deployed. Please allow additional time if using the A23.

Following the earlier suspension of bus services to Whitebushes and East Surrey Hospital due to the roadworks these have now resumed.

Hopefully now it is the weekend the works on the pavement can be completed with less disruption.

Should services be impacted over the next few days the nearest alternative stop that was in use was on Three Arch Road on the football club side of the road.