News

The Heath Robinson Museum Re-opens Thursday 3rd December 2020.

Heath Robinson MuseumMessage from The Heath Robinson Museum Team.

We are very pleased to announce that The Heath Robinson Museum will be reopening to the general public from Thursday 3rd December 2020. We will be open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 11am and 4pm until we close for Christmas on 20th December.

In order to maintain social distancing we are continuing to limit numbers in the museum and are using a timed-ticketing system. You can pre-book your tickets on the Heath Robinson Museum website now!

Those visitors entitled to free entry (Artfund, Friends of The Heath Robinson Museum, Under 18s and Students under 25) are requested to still book a (free) ticket. Your tickets and ID will be checked on the door.

We are very excited to be opening our doors again and look forward to welcoming you.
The Heath Robinson Museum team

Interfaith Tree Planting Pinner Village Gardens

On 17 November an interfaith tree planting ceremony organised by the “Faiths Forum of London” took place in Pinner Village Gardens. This initiative was also sponsored by the Mayor of London.

Unfortunately due to the current restrictions people from different faiths could attend. Instead they were asked to send in a short WhatsApp video. (At some stage there will be a YouTube video produced)

Rebbetzen Abi Kurzer wife of the Pinner United Synagogue Rabbi is talking about why trees are so important.

Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts

Dear Watch Member,

Following a growing number of catalytic converter thefts across Pinner over recent weeks, we are urging drivers to protect their vehicles, particularly specific hybrid models such as the pre-2008 Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius (2004-2016) and Toyota Auris (2012-2018).

In order to minimise the chance of becoming a victim we offer the following advice:

  • Lock your car whenever it is left unattended and keep it in a garage when parked at night, if possible.
  • When using a garage is not possible, park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make theft difficult.
  • Consider fitting CCTV on your home or driveway, to help deter thieves.
  • Use PIR or LED security lighting to make your vehicle more visible; this can also act as a deterrent.
  • If your catalytic converter is bolted on, consider having the bolts welded to make removal difficult.
  • Fit protective coverings on catalytic converters, such as the Toyota manufactured CATLOC device, (these are made for Toyota Prius made between 2004 and 2009) as these can make it much more difficult for thieves.
  • Have your catalytic converter etched or forensically marked, and put stickers in the windscreen to say this has been done.
  • Look for car parks with a Secured Car Park sign that have recognised levels of security. If you have a garage at home, ensure you use it and lock it properly.
  • Noisy gravel on your drive can help deter a would-be thief, as they don’t want to alert you to their approach.
  • Never leave valuable items or tools on display in your vehicle as this may encourage a thief to break in.

More advice on how to make your vehicle safe is available here.

If you have information about vehicle crime, you can contact the non-emergency 101 number, CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or make an online report at www.met.police.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

E-Scooter Advice

Dear Watch Member,

We are still seeing the use of electric scooters, commonly known as e-scooters, on roads and pavements across the area. Currently they are only legal to ride on private land with the landowner’s permission or as part of a government trial.

With trials of rented e-scooters taking place around the country, some people are purchasing their own in the mistaken belief they can legally use them on public paths and roads. This is not the case and we are finding that otherwise law-abiding citizens are inadvertently breaking the law in this way.

If you have an e-scooter on your Christmas wish list please ensure they will be ridden legally. For more information on using publicly owned e-scooters please visit www.gov.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Online Christmas Shopping Advice

Dear Watch Member,

With Covid-19 restrictions keeping people away from High Streets and shopping centres, a lot of us are turning to online marketplaces for Christmas gift buying. But these websites are not subject to the same regulations as other retailers, meaning it’s easy for dodgy dealers to sell counterfeit and sub-standard products. And when it’s an electrical fake you’re buying, the risk isn’t just that it might fall apart or stop working – fake electrical products have a serious risk of electric shock or fire.

So, if you’re buying electrical products online, make sure you know who you’re buying from. Stick to the websites of known manufacturers and retailers such as those found on the High Street, rather than buying from third party sellers on online marketplaces.

Find out more about Safe Shopping Online here.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Something that hasn’t been cancelled!

At last the festive lights and the Christmas trees in Pinner have arrived.

As Pinner Panto was cancelled this year The Pinner Association tried to get the lights up in time for Diwali; unfortunately that wasn’t to be.

At least they will be up for Bodhi Day, Hanukkah and Christmas.

Apart from the Christmas trees which will be removed in time for twelfth night, we have requested that the festive lights stay up for longer in the New Year.  We thought we all needed cheering up!

The Pinner Association have again sponsored and organised the Pinner festive lights and Christmas trees and we would like to thank our Pinner Councillors for the contribution from their discretionary funds towards the cost of installing the lights, and the Harrow Council Officers who get the lights and trees put up for us.

It’s good to see that BrOOK’s and T A Ellement & Sons have entered into the festive spirit.

 

Harrow Go Green 2021 Competition

This is a message from The Harrow Go Green organisation.

Good morning  

We would like to share information about a new competition to promote nature and biodiversity for Harrow borough supported by Harrow council. To find out more visit https://www.harrowgogreen.com

There will also be a number of free video  workshops for all in the coming months that may also be of interest- https://www.facebook.com/groups/harrowgogreen2021/

Many thanks

Diwali Burglary Awareness

Dear Watch Member,

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins on Saturday 14th November.

Celebrations will understandably be very different this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, despite being in a lockdown and most people staying at home, criminals intent on committing burglaries may use the sound of fireworks to break into homes, especially those that appear to be unoccupied.

Whether you celebrate Diwali or not, please protect your home and jewellery by following the attached advice, remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious or criminal activity to either the non-emergency 101 or emergency 999 numbers.

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If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien
Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team
Email: [email protected]

Fake PayPal Emails

 

Dear Watch Member,

Between January to September 2020, Action Fraud have received 21.349 reports regarding fake PayPal phishing emails, resulting in a total reported loss to victims of £7,891,077.

Online marketplace sellers have received a fake email that appears to be from PayPal, stating that the fraudster has made a payment for an item. A follow up email requests the shipping tracking order reference, prompting the seller to dispatch the item. The fraudster relies on the seller not verifying that the payment has been received in their PayPal account, before shipping the item leaving the seller at a loss.

The reporting to Action Fraud does not suggest that PayPal are implicated or complicit in any fraud, either directly or indirectly. The use of a popular, trusted brand may be exploited by fraudsters to commit fraud.

What you need to do:

Verify the payment: If you’re selling goods on an online marketplace, such as eBay, don’t post the item to the buyer until you have verified, using the official app or website, that the payment is in your account.

Report suspicious emails: If you’ve received an email you’re not quite sure about, you can report it by forwarding it to: [email protected].

For more information about how to protect yourself online, visit: www.cyberaware.gov.uk and www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk.

If you need to reply regarding this message, tap on this email address: [email protected]

Regards,
Lee O’Brien