Roadworks tomorrow 6th February – delays likely, Fraud & Scam Bulletin, E-billing and Infrastructure charges

Lane closure – Broomhall Way between Norton and Ketch roundabouts towards Malvern, Tomorrow 6th February 9.30 to 15.00

Delays likely.

ROMANCE FRAUD

An increasing number of people are falling victim to romance fraud, which does not only cause financial harm, but may also inflict emotional and mental damage on those victims.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, romance may be high on many people’s agenda as they seek an appropriate way to celebrate the day. However, at the same time criminals are using this as an opportunity to devise new scams to defraud their victims on dating Sites and social media.

At this time of the year there is a rise in Romance Frauds as the fraudsters draw their victims into false relationship, gain their confidence, before the requests for money start to come in. These are accompanied by heart rending pleas about personal, or family problems, and emergencies which need finance.

Are any platforms safe?

Fraudsters continue to target users of popular social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as dating sites such as Tinder and Plenty of Fish, and many others.

Messaging sites such as Google Hangouts and WhatsApp may also be used to find unsuspecting victims.

As well as conventional dating platforms, online Gaming platforms may be used to seek potential victims since there are fewer protective measures in place.

Who are their targets?

Females over 40 years are common victims as well as younger males, but users also need to be aware on age related dating platforms too.

How does it work?

Basically, criminals will go to great lengths to gain the victim’s trust by claiming they are in a genuine relationship which is built up over time

They will manipulate and exploit the victim to the extent they are persuaded they are in a real and genuine relationship
They create convincing persona such as military personnel, medical staff, engineers and many others to convince the victim they are genuine
Then, when they ask for money, the victim is convinced there is no problem with the request
The requests can be very emotive citing reasons such as medical emergencies, travel costs, payment of fines or taxes, or even claiming their bank account has been frozen
Another Red flag is “Love Bombing” which is a common technique where the person shows excessive interest in you by way of extreme flattery, strong communicating of their feelings for you and promoting ideas of your future together at a very early stage – beware if they get too serious – too quick.

Tell-tale signs a friend or family member is involved in a Romance Scam

They may be very secretive about their relationship or provide excuses for why their online partner has not video called or met them in person.
They may be unwilling to discuss their online relationship, very often because the fraudster has persuaded you not to tell your family or friends
They may express very strong emotions and commitment to someone they have only just met
They have sent, or are planning to send, money to someone they have not met face-to-face. They may take out loans or withdraw from their pension to send money.

Stay safe

Never send money to someone you have never met in person
Never part with your bank or personal details to strangers online however genuine they claim to be
The fact that they may request payment to another named bank account, not their own, can be another tell-tale sign of a fraudster
Always seek advice from somebody trusted before parting with any money in any format, whether it is bank transfers, PayPal, Gift Cards or bitcoin currencies.
Profile photos are very often fake; you can research any image by doing a “Reverse Image” search to find photos that have been copied from elsewhere.
Never share images of yourself that you would not want your own family and friends to see

SAFER INTERNET DAY 2026

SAFER INTERNET DAY 2026 takes place 0n 10^th February 2026 based on the theme of

“Smart tech, safe choices – exploring the safe & responsible use of AI”

Each year the event covers an online issue/theme relevant to the things younger people see and experience online.

A full set of resources are available online for schools and other organisations covering all young age groups – Safer Internet Day 2026 – UK Safer Internet Centre

Please feel free to share these messages with any vulnerable friends, relatives or neighbours

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Report Fraud (formerly known as ACTION FRAUD) on 0300 123 2040 or via reportfraud.police.uk

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. You can also report Scam mobile calls by texting 7726 with the word “Call” followed by the scam caller’s phone number.

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

If you think your bank account or personal banking details have been used fraudulently, then use the short phone number – 159 – to contact the Fraud Prevention Department of most major UK banks

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£100 Voucher Prize Draw for Residents Who Switch to E-Billing

Residents in Wychavon are being offered the chance to enter a prize draw for one of two £100 vouchers to spend with local businesses by simply switching to e-billing.

Wychavon District Council has launched a new campaign encouraging people to receive their council tax bills and other important information by secure email rather than by post. Anyone who signs up during the campaign period will be automatically entered into the prize draw, with two recipients selected in the district. Residents who are already registered for e-billing will also be included in the draw.

Switching to e-billing via an online form takes a few minutes and gives residents instant access to their bills in a secure, convenient, paper-free format. It also helps the council reduce printing and postage costs, saving around £1 per person who makes the switch. These savings can then be reinvested into local services and community projects.

The £100 vouchers offered through the prize draw can be spent with local businesses across the district, helping to support the local economy as well as encouraging residents to shop locally.

Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “E-billing is quicker, easier, and better for the environment. It reduces waste, saves money, and helps us put more back into the services residents rely on. With the added opportunity to be entered into our £100 voucher prize draw, now is an ideal time to make the switch.”

Residents can sign up online at www.wychavon.gov.uk/ebillingprizedraw

The prize draw is open until 20 February 2026, but residents can sign up to e-billing at any time.

Traditional billing and payment methods will continue to be available.

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Have your say on new infrastructure charges.

Residents can have their say on how much councils in South Worcestershire should charge developers for providing infrastructure to support new homes and businesses.

Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon councils are holding a public consultation on the Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule from Monday, 2 February to 11.59pm on Monday, 2 March 2026.

CIL is a way of securing contributions from developers for infrastructure needed to support the wider impact of a development, like a new school or road. This is different from Section 106 contributions, which are used to mitigate the impact of a specific development. S106 contributions will continue to be used to help fund things such as affordable housing or upgrades to access junctions to new sites.

The Draft CIL Charging Schedule sets out how much developers must pay based on what they are planning to build. Once adopted, the amounts are set and cannot be changed or negotiated. The document has been revised to reflect legal changes and the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR).

Fees for building on new land (greenfield sites) have in most cases gone up, whereas fees for brownfield sites (land already built on) stay the same because clearing and demolishing old buildings costs more money. A new charge has been introduced for drive-thrus.

The Draft CIL Charging Schedule is available to view and comment on online at https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/about-wychavon-district-council/consultations

People can have their say using the online form.

Views can also be sent in by email to SWDP@worcester.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, The Civic Centre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Pershore, WR10 1PT. Paper copies will be available in local libraries as well as council offices in Pershore, Malvern and The Guildhall in Worcester.

The document will be scrutinised in public at a later date, known as an examination. Comments from the public consultation will be used as part of that process. The Inspector will assess whether the draft charging schedule meets legal requirements and ensure the proposed rates are supported by evidence and do not threaten the viability of development outlined in the Local Plan. The Inspector will recommend changes to the schedule before it goes to councillors on the three councils for approval, which is expected in the summer.

Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s Executive Board Member for Planning, Infrastructure and Urban Design, said: “Ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to support development is a key ask of our residents and a priority we share. Getting the right amount of money secured from developers, based on the infrastructure needed as opposed to their profit levels, is critical. This is your opportunity to influence that process. I encourage people to take part and share their views, to get what is needed for our communities.”