News

Sandgate Parish newsletter, distributed by hand to every household in Sandgate Parish.

The Parish Council is in discussions with various partners, including the Sandgate Society and District Councillors, to seek funding to install CCTV in three key locations:

● Sandgate High Street
● The Golden Valley shops
● Sandgate Park

CCTV is being investigated following a number of incidents of vandalism in Sandgate Park, a number of attempted break-ins to businesses in Sandgate High Street and damage to cars in the High Street and surrounding areas.

Although statistically crime remains very low in Sandgate compared to other areas, we’re keen to keep it that way.

Any scheme would, of course, be operated within strict guidelines to protect personal privacy and to inform people that the system was operating. It would be “recording only” rather than live monitored, and would only be accessed in the event of reported crime or anti social behaviour.

The Council is optimistic that grants and funding can be identified to purchase and install all of the cameras and equipment at very low cost to the Council, but there would be a small annual maintenance cost of up to £2,000 a year.

The Council is keen to hear from residents and business their view on whether the introduction of CCTV in Sandgate is supported. Those views will then be taken into account before any final purchase decision is taken. Please send your views to clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk

Action Fraud and others are reporting a scam by text where criminals are sending out distressing messages.

How this scam works:

• Victims receive a text message from a loved-one which says they are in hospital
• The only way that they can make contact is via text message
• Victims are asked to purchase mobile phone top-up codes and text it to the criminal
• Once the criminals have the code, they can get the cash credited to their own mobile phone account.

Protect yourself:

• These messages can evolve into more elaborate scenarios and play on your emotions and get you to react quickly without thinking.
• If you receive one of these text messages, don’t send any codes or money, delete it and report it to Action Fraud.
• If a family member was hospitalised, they would never be forced to use a mobile phone that required credit to activate it.

Visit Action Fraud for more information on this scam.

Please warn family members, friends and neighbours.

Report it.

With the Halloween season fast approaching, some people look forward to and welcome “Trick or Treaters”, and some really do not.

For those who don’t feel comfortable with answering the door to Trick and Treaters, you can print and display the poster below. If you are not able to print this poster they are available at Police Station front counters.

Sandgate Parish Council is pleased to report that the attached footpath (from The Undercliff near Sandgate High Street to Military Road) has been finally confirmed and recognised as a public right of way / footpath.

This was only possible because of the weight of opinion and the many submissions made by local people and the Parish Council would like to thank everyone concerned, especially Rosemary Saunders who did so much to make this happen.