Update from Business Watch

We have received the attached update from the local police:

Protect Your Money - December Update
Attached is a new publication for members of business and shop watches in Hertfordshire. It includes a summary and advice for dealing with scams currently operating and targetting businesses. This edition of the newsletter includes :
1. Protect your business againts invoice redirection fraud
2. Advice on tackling cyber crime
3. Bogus bailiffs collecting phantom debt
4. How to visit the Hertfordshire Constabulary " Protect your business website" www.herts.police.uk/crimeprevention

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Business Watch Fraud Update (329 KB)

If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk

Recent Success in Local Fraud Detection
We want to make you aware that  in the past week two banks in Rickmansworth have successfully thwarted attempts by residents  to take out large sums of money to pay to fraudsters. Many OWL messages are sent out warning members to be on their guard againts fraud. In addition your local Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Officers have been visiting banks to make staff aware of particular frauds in the area and that local persons may be falling victim to them.
Please continue to remain alert and look out for the elderly and vulnerable who may become victims to these scams. Working together and looking out for each other clearly pays off. Fortunately two residents have not parted with large sums of money to fraudsters.

If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk

Cyber Security for Businesses
Please find attached a single sheet document that briefly sets out a range of advice sources and resources that are available to help protect businesses from cyber crime.
This government produced a document that covers the following topics:

•    Cyber Essentials Scheme
•    10 Steps to Cyber Security (guidance for large organisations)
•    Small Businesses: What You Need To Know About Cyber Security
•    Cyber Streetwise campaign
•    Free online training for small businesses
•    Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP)
•    Cyber Security Innovation Vouchers

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Cyber Security Advice for Businesses (113 KB)
If you need to reply regarding this message, click on this email address: derrick.sweeney@herts.pnn.police.uk
 

News from Herts Police Business Watch.

We have received this message from the local Police:

Currently there are over 92,000 households signed up to Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) in Hertfordshire and 2,000 members signed up to Business Watch on the Online Watch Link (OWL). We are looking to increase membership and further develop the service provided to Business Watches which include Shop Watches both across the county and locally.   If you have any feedback you wish to pass on as a member of a Business Watch I would be grateful if you could e mail me at Patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk  with any ideas and suggestions on how to further develop and where necessary improve the scheme.   I would also be interested to know if you find the current messages of value and if not what additional messages and information do you require. Any positive feedback is also welcome. Some of these suggestions and ideas can be implemented immediately.
 A Business Watch Steering Group is also soon to be formed to take suggestions and ideas forward as well as looking at other opportunities to support Business Watches across the county of Hertfordshire.  It will be useful to have a few existing members of Business Watches on the group. If you are interested in being part of that steering group on a voluntary basis  and wish to discuss in more detail please contact me. The group will meet three or four times a year.
I would also like to know if any businesses including retail businesses would like readily identifiable branded logos to display on their premises and in windows  to identify that they  are a member of the scheme similar to the well known NHW logo.  Attached is a proposed Business Watch logo for Hertfordshire that could become available for those who wish to use it.   It can also be adapted for street signs in watch areas.
I would like to reassure you that, like NHW, membership of Business Watch on OWL is free for both existing and new members.

Download Associated Documents
Documents accompanying this message are linked below. Click to download and open a file which use the popular PDF format. If you experience problems downloading or viewing a file please visit this help page on the OWL website.
•    Business Watch logo (200 KB)

You can contact Business Watch at patrick.beynon@herts.pnn.police.uk

Station Road Update - Open from 5am Mon 23 November

A TfL spokesperson said: “Our engineers have uncovered the need for further essential work on the railway bridge in Rickmansworth, but in order to avoid further disruption to local people in the run up to the festive period, the remaining work will be undertaken during a three-week road closure in early 2016. Following discussions with Hertfordshire County Council, the current road closure along Station Road will now end at 5am on the 23rd November. We once again thank local people for their ongoing patience while we carry out this essential work.”
Further information:
•The three-week road closure will take place from 8pm Saturday 16th January to 5am Monday 8th February 2016.
•The current structure, which carries Metropolitan line trains, is nearly 130 years old and was in need of planned repair work.
•The renewal work is vital to enable the bridge deck to be replaced in Easter 2016 during a 4-day closure of the road and the track. Bus replacement services will be running from the 25th March to the morning of the 29th March 2016.

Details of Road Closures for the Station Road works

Transport for London will be replacing the existing railway bridge which oversails Station Road in Rickmansworth over the Easter weekend in 2016. In order to carry out this work next year there are extensive enabling works required to the allow the existing structure to be removed and the new bridge put in its place. These enabling works will require the full closure of Station Road from its junction with Northway to Homestead Road.

The closure is required so the contractor can divert existing utility services and to strengthen the abutment wall in preparation for upgrading the railway bridge during a closure in Easter 2016. The full closure of Station Road will be in place from Monday 19th October and will remain for up to 4 weeks 24 hours a day.

A diversion route will be put in place which will be as follows:

•    For traffic travelling South West into the High Street vehicles will be sent via Church Street, onto the A404 then the A412 and use the roundabout to access Homestead Road.
•    For traffic travelling North East into the High Street via Wensum Way traffic will be need to turn left up Station Road and then right onto Northway. From Northway they will then pick up the diversion route which will take them back to Homestead Road.

There will be extensive signage in place to give drivers notice of the closure of this small section of Station Road. All of the High Street will still be accessible as will the car parks. Drivers will not be able to access the Waitrose and Station car park via the town centre, they will need to follow the provided diversion route.

There are currently two pedestrian tunnels which pass under the Station Road bridge. At least one of these will remain open at all times to allow pedestrians safe access under the bridge and onto Homestead Road. Whilst there will be occasions these tunnels will need to be shut, only one will be closed at a time.

If you have any questions regarding the enabling works or the Bridge Replacement in Easter 2016 please contact TfL via communityrelations@tfl.gov.uk or 0343 222 2424 (24 hours).

Dates of Station Road Closures

Station Road Closure will be as follows:
18 October 2015 to 16 November 2015
25 March 2016 to 29 March 2016

ONLY Station Road will be closed.  Access to the High Street, Northway and Homestead Road (and all associated car parks) will be as normal.

Highways signage around the town will state Station Road closure only.

 

Update on Station Road Closure

Update from TFL - 24th September 2015
 
The works will divert utilities and strengthen the abutment wall in preparation for upgrading the railway bridge during a closure in Easter 2016. The works will involve excavation of concrete and will require the use of mechanical breakers. Due to the invasive nature of these works, there is the potential for some noise to be generated throughout the works. However we will endeavour to restrict the duration of particularly noisy activities to daytime and put noise reducing measures in place where practicably possible, in accordance with the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

The works are due to start on Monday 19 October and will take four weeks to complete. Our hours of work will be 08:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. Letters have been sent to residents advising of these works. There is a possibility that we will need to work during the night. If this is the case, we will again contact residents in advance.

An application has been made for a temporary traffic regulation order under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. A plan showing the road diversion is attached. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

Proposed Closure of Station Road Rickmansworth - 19th October

TFL are requesting a closure of Station Road, Rickmansworth from 19^th October for a proposed 4 week period.  This is to resite utilities on the bridge ready for the replacement of the bridge itself over the Easter Weekend in 2016.

As soon as we hear more about the exact detail of the closure we will publish it on this blog.