Braunton Police

13/06/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/7ABnG

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—report it to Counter Terrorism Policing. Share concerns in confidence and help keep the public safe.

11/06/2026

Many people now know that the safest way to contact their bank is by calling 159
👉 Unfortunately, scammers are adapting — and using this advice against you

⚠️ Here’s how the “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” scam works
A criminal calls you pretending to be your bank and says things like:
“Money is being taken from your account right now — we need your password to stop it”
You refuse (which is the correct action) and then they say:
“That’s right — never share your password. Please hang up and call your bank immediately”
👉 This sounds genuine — but it is part of the scam

🧠 What’s really happening
The scammer is using social engineering to gain your trust and control what you do next.
They know:
• You trust your bank
• You’ve been told to call them yourself
• You will feel reassured making the call yourself
• They know you will immediately make that call

⚠️ Here’s the trick
Even after you “hang up”:
• The scammer can keep the line open
• You may even hear a fake dial or ring tone
• When you dial 159 (or your banks phone number) you could still be connected to the scammer
• A second scammer may answer pretending to be your bank
👉 So although you think you’ve called your bank — you haven’t

✅ How to stay safe
✔️ Safest option
• Use a different phone to call your bank
(e.g. mobile instead of landline, or vice versa)

✔️ If you only have one phone
• Hang up
• Wait at least 30–60 seconds
• Call a friend or family member first
👉 This confirms the line is properly cleared
👉 Then call 159

🚨 Warning signs
Be suspicious if the caller:
• Tries to shock or scare you
• Pressures you to act quickly
• Talks about money being at immediate risk
• Asks you to move money to a “safe account”
• Tells you to stay on the phone
• Tries to stop you hanging up
👉 Your bank will NEVER do these things

🟢 Key message
“HANG UP PROPERLY – THEN CALL SAFELY”

✅ Remember
• 159 will never call you
• You only use it when you dial it
• It connects you safely to your bank

✅If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime
🌐 Report online here: UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud
📞 Or call: 0300 123 2040

✅ Final advice
Scammers rely on panic and urgency.
👉 Take your time remain calm and stay in control

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06/06/2026

Enjoying the summer sun? Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Report anything that doesn’t feel right to security or report online in confidence at https://orlo.uk/hal6D

In an emergency call 999.

Remember, action counters terrorism.

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts—report it to Counter Terrorism Policing. Share concerns in confidence and help keep the public safe.

06/06/2026

Meet and chat with your local Neighbourhood team.

Thank you for the constructive comments and feedback about our community events this weekend. We have listened and as a result have changed one of our locations.

On Saturday 6th June between 4pm and 5pm we will now be at Woolacombe Parish Hall car park.

We hope to see you there.

PS11013

05/06/2026

*** The bridge will shortly be reopening, thank you for your patience. ***

There is a Police incident on the Taw Bridge in Barnstaple at present. THE BRIDGE IS CLOSED. Please avoid the area if you can. 30204

05/06/2026

The Braunton Neighbourhood Police Team will be holding community engagement events on the following dates and locations to give you a chance to meet the team and discuss any Policing issues in your local area.
Saturday 6th June 1400 – 1500 Car park at Braunton Tesco
Saturday 6th June 1600 – 1700 Marine Drive Woolacombe
Sunday 7th June 1500 – 1700 Sandy Lane car park Braunton
We will announce different times and locations for July in due course
We hope to see you there. 30204

04/06/2026

Romance fraud costs UK victims £102 million
People across the UK lost more than £102 million to romance fraud last year this typically involves offenders building trust and emotional connections over time before requesting money. These requests are often justified using fabricated reasons, such as emergencies, investment opportunities or plans to meet in person.
Romance fraud remains closely linked to online environments, particularly social media and dating platforms, where criminals can easily create convincing fake profiles. Investigators have also noted an increase in the use of AI-generated images and messages to make fraudulent identities appear more realistic. In many cases, romance fraud is combined with fake investment schemes, including cryptocurrency, increasing the financial risk to victims. Police are urging people to stay vigilant when forming online relationships and to watch for these warning signs:
Early Warning Signs (Profile & First Contact)
• Too good to be true profile - Unrealistically attractive photos or “perfect” life story (military, engineer abroad, widowed with child, etc.)
• Very quick emotional connection - They express love or deep feelings within days (“love bombing”)
• Claims to be overseas - Often working abroad (oil rigs, military deployment, shipping industry)
• Minimal or inconsistent personal details - Vague answers, avoids specifics, or stories that don’t quite add up
Communication Red Flags
• Quickly moves you off the social media or dating platform - Pushes to switch to WhatsApp, Telegram, email, or text almost immediately
• Always has excuses not to meet or video call - Camera broken, working in a secure location, bad signal, etc.
• Scripted or repetitive language - Messages sometimes feel copied/pasted or overly formal/unusual phrasing
• Time pattern inconsistencies - Claims to be in one country but messages at odd times for that location
Emotional Manipulation Tactics
• Love bombing” followed by dependence - They rush intimacy, then build emotional reliance
• Creates urgency or crisis situations - Sudden emergencies: illness, accident, legal trouble, or stranded abroad
• Plays on sympathy - Widowed, lonely, or raising a child alone
Financial Red Flags (MOST CRITICAL)
• Asks for money in unusual ways such as Gift cards and Cryptocurrency
• Requests start small then escalate - Just £50 for phone credit” → later thousands for “medical emergency”
• Promises repayment but never delivers
• Claims money is needed to meet you - Travel tickets, visas, customs or “fees” to release funds
• Mentions large sums of money stuck elsewhere - Needs your help to “unlock” inheritance or contract payment
Behaviour Red Flags
• Gets defensive when questioned
• Refuses to verify identity
• Profiles disappear or change suddenly
What to do if you are a Victim of Romance Fraud
Report it immediately: Visit - UK's Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud - Report Fraud or call 0300 123 2040
If you have shared financial details, or lost money also contact your bank's fraud team by calling 159
PCSO 30204

24/05/2026

Our Braunton community speed watch team volunteers will have a stall at the Braunton Village fair on the Recreation ground this bank holiday Monday 25th May. Please come along and meet the team and learn about the great work they do within our local community. If you like what you hear and interested in joining, we have vacancies. We look forward to seeing you there. 30204

22/05/2026

Carrying a knife doesn’t make you safer, in fact it can put you in danger.
If you’re worried about knife crime in your area please report to: https://orlo.uk/1E96C
As part of our work around knife crime we offer knife surrender bins at police stations across the region so people can hand in weapons – with no questions asked.
Visit https://orlo.uk/yikPu for police station address information.
Supporting – the national initiative to reduce knife crime.
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