Month: June 2021

You wouldn’t leave a child in danger, right?

We often think it doesn’t happen in Surrey. BUT It does.

Child trafficking is where children and young people are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited or forced to work or sold by organised criminal gangs.

It’s a common misconception that child trafficking is something that only affects third world countries, but sadly that’s simply not the case. That’s why Surrey Police is this week (Monday, 28 June – Sunday, 4 July) supporting Operation Aidant, a country wide operation to target child trafficking in Surrey and across the country. The operational aim of the campaign is to stop child trafficking and exploitation of under 18s who are UK and non-UK nationals, as well as raising vital awareness of this hidden crime.

Trafficked children are some of the most vulnerable in the UK. They are usually too afraid to seek help and it is hard to remove them from the people exploiting them.

From our own experience and in consultation with communities, we know this kind of abuse is under-reported. Surrey Police is asking the public to be more vigilant in spotting the signs indicating possible child trafficking.

Spotting the signs can prevent escalation from ‘subtle’ harms that may often go unnoticed by many, to ‘extreme’ situations where there is loss of life. A child victim is unlikely to recognise that they’re a victim so won’t seek help. That’s why we need the public and everyone else to be alert and act on the child’s behalf.

What are the signs of child trafficking?

Identifying a child who has been trafficked can be very difficult, as they are intentionally hidden and isolated from the services and communities who can identify and protect them.

A trafficked child may:

    • lack personal items or toys
    • wear the same clothes
    • give a prepared story which is very similar to stories given by other children
    • be unsure which country, city or town they’re in
    • have no documents (or have falsified documents)
    • rarely leave their house, have no freedom of movement and no time for playing
    • be unable or reluctant to give details of accommodation or personal details
    • not have access to their parents or guardians
    • not be registered with a school or a GP practice
    • spend a lot of time doing household chores
    • be orphaned or live apart from their family, often in unregulated private foster care
    • live in substandard accommodation (a work address or dirty, cramped, unhygienic or overcrowded accommodation, including caravans, sheds, tents or outbuildings)
    • be seen in inappropriate places – such as brothels or factories
    • possess money or goods they can’t account for
    • be permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings (for example if they’re required to earn a minimum amount of money every day or pay off an exorbitant debt)
    • have injuries from workplace accidents
    • have tattoos or other marks indicating ownership
    • often be moved by others between specific locations (for example to and from work) – this may happen at unusual times such as very early in the day or at night
    • be involved in the consumption, sale, trafficking of drugs
    • be reluctant to seek help, avoidance of strangers, being fearful or hostile towards authorities

The warning signs presented by children and young people who are being exploited will be different for everyone.

If you encounter a situation which doesn’t seem right, even if you’re not quite sure about it, we encourage you to report it by contacting Surrey Police on 101 (999 in an emergency)

You can also give information, 100% anonymously, to the independent charity Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700; or through their anonymous online form: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/

 

Free Webinars About Scams In July

Neighbourhood Watch to run FREE webinars about scams In July.

Following on from numerous Alert regarding yet another online scam to look out for, Neighhbourhood Watch would like to you to invite you to join them in July for a month of weekly online webinars to expose the truths behind scams. 

The webinars are FREE to attend and are open to anyone who would like to know more about scams, the psychology behind scams, prevention and how a fraud case is investigated.

The webinars bring together experts in their field relating to online fraud, a topic which we are all too familiar with and can affect anyone and everyone, as our lives are played out more digitally.

The dates of the webinars and their topics are as follows:

6th July, 5pm
Exploring the psychology behind scams and how scammers are so effective at their crimes
Paul Maskell, Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)

14th July, 5pm
Insights into how a fraud case is investigated and how not to be the next victim 
Ben Hobbs, Detective Sergeant; and Catriona Still, Head of Fraud Prevention & Training, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)

23rd July 5pm
Scams awareness training from the Friends Against Scams initiative
The National Trading Standards Scams Team (NTSST)

30th July, 5pm
Don’t get hooked by scammers! What you need to know about flubot and phishing scams
Christopher Budd, Senior Global Threat Communications Manager, Avast

How to book your place
You can click on the links within this message on each of the webinars topics to register your place or you can go to www.ourwatch.org.uk/webinars and click on the webinar that you wish to attend, you can attend all of them if you wish and so make sure that you complete the registration page for each of them.

St Christopher’s School supports Casey Ward

Add Your Heading Text Here

St Christopher’s School is always thinking about how to help others and the Children’s Ward at Epsom Hospital was very grateful for their help. 

St Christopher’s School, Winners of ISA National Prep/Junior School of the Year 2020 children raised money by helping out at home and earning money for their tiny Ambulance Money Boxes handed out by the school.

The amount raised was £3,094.39 and Casey Ward have used it to top up their fund to enable them to purchase a digital ‘Magic Carpet’ and two Nintendo switches.

Congratulations go to Year 2 Harrison who raised £1,030 by doing  a sponsored cycle ride.

Special thanks also went to Epsom College for donating some play equipment for the Hospital.

The children’s generosity was celebrated by a visit by Epsom Hospital representatives Justine and Sasha. The school orchestra and violin group played and children received magic carpet biscuits with a drink as Head Boy and Girl Reis and Megan handed over the cheque and Deputy Head Boy and Girl Rumi and Holly made a speech to thank everyone involved. It really was a magical day.

The school’s fundraising has made a huge contribution towards the ward’s Magic Carpet Appeal. Also on show was a magnificent mosaic Magic Carpet created by the pupils.

message from Casey Ward “we’re truly grateful for all the kindness and hard work of the children (and the grown-ups!) and Thank You.”

Here are a few more photos from the day..

For More Details Regarding St Christopher’s School CLICK HERE

To Donate To Epsom Hospital “Magic Carpet” CLICK HERE

Tickets now on sale for Mole Valley Community Lottery

Tickets are now on sale for a new weekly online lottery that raises money for good causes and green initiatives in Mole Valley. Players are in with a chance of winning a £25,000 jackpot every week.

The Mole Valley Community Lottery is managed by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) and all the good causes involved are non-profit organisations that benefit Mole Valley and its residents.

There are more than 25 good causes to support, including clubs, community interest groups, charities, and other organisations which provide community activities or services. Each lottery ticket costs £1, with 50p going to a good cause of the player’s choice and 10p to a fund run by MVDC which benefits climate change initiatives, the Environment Fund, in Mole Valley. Players can also select this as their main good cause.

The draw is held weekly on a Saturday evening, starting Saturday 24 July. First draw prizes include a Dorking Halls Family Friends Membership, a Surrey Hills Enterprises shopping voucher and an Adult Premium Membership for Dorking Sports Centre.

Councillor Claire Malcomson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change said: “We’re excited to launch our new community lottery. I am delighted that so many good causes have joined. The scheme is a wonderful way to support local projects that make a real difference to our residents’ lives, as well as help protect our precious environment.”

For more information and to sign up, visit www.molevalleylottery.co.uk 

Search #MoleValleyLotto on social media for the latest updates.

It is easy and free for good causes to join online. Visit www.molevalleylottery.co.uk/good-causes

Painshill launches urgent appeal to replace important landmark

Painshill Park Trust has launched a 40th anniversary appeal to raise money needed to urgently replace one of its most important bridges.

Designed in the 18th century by The Hon Charles Hamilton, the garden at Painshill in Surrey fell into ruin until it was saved by the Painshill Park Trust in the 1980s. Hamilton designed Painshill as a walk through a work of art, taking the viewer past eccentric follies, across picturesque bridges over the Serpentine Lake, and through a heritage collection of trees and shrubs.

In the 40 years, since Painshill was rescued from ruin, the Trust has been restoring each of the follies and recreating the views for visitors. It relies on visitor income and donations for its survival.  

The Woollett Bridge is based on a design by Italian architect Andrea Palladio, and features in a 1760 engraving by famous British engraver William Woollett.

Sitting on the west side of Grotto Island, the bridge is a vital part of Painshill’s historic circular walk and allows visitors to leave the Crystal Grotto and cross the lake to the Mausoleum.

Director of Painshill Paul Griffiths said: “Painshill was heavily flooded over the winter of 2019/20, and the softwood bridge was under water for some time. Despite the hot summer, the wood did not dry properly and is now rotting away.

“We have temporarily installed columns under the cross beams to support the bridge and make sure it is safe to walk on while we raise money for a replacement.

“If the bridge were to collapse before we could replace it, we would need to pay for a pontoon to keep the route open, which would be unsightly and quickly become very costly.”

Painshill Park Trust is appealing for help to raise money for a replacement bridge, which is estimated will cost between £120,000 and £130,000.

“The vital funds raised from this 40th anniversary appeal will go towards replacing the bridge in 2022, so that visitors can enjoy the historic circular route all year long,” said Mr Griffiths.

“We will use archived paintings and engravings and information from our Landscapes and Restoration Committee to discuss whether the existing bridge style is the most authentic one for the replacement, or whether the design of the bridge was changed by Hamilton in the 1700s.

“The support of the public is a lifeline to us and those who are passionate about sustaining heritage for the benefit of all.”

To find out more about Painshill and how you can donate to the Woollett Bridge appeal, please visit: www.painshill.co.uk/support-painshill/latest-restoration-project/