York Police scam alert

TAX REBATE FRAUD ALERT

The police have issued the following warning, ”

NHS members are being targeted by tax rebate companies, purporting to offer services whereby they obtain a tax rebate on the victim’s behalf. However, the company obtains the refund but does not provide any of the funds to their customer, leaving victims over £34,000 out of pocket.

Information suggests that the companies have managed to infiltrate NHS practices/hospitals as part of training/open days and in lunchtime meeting sessions for staff. They also advertise their services to staff members and have been known to set up stands in the reception or restaurant areas.

The companies request the victim sign forms which give them permission to liaise with HMRC on their behalf, stating their fee will be charged to the rebate received. HMRC have confirmed that they have issued refunds to the companies in relation to requests received and authorised by the staff member. Once the refund is obtained all contact with the companies are broken and the victim does not receive their rebate.

Tax rebate fraud does not only affect NHS staff but can also affect Police Officers, airline staff and teachers. However this list of professions is not exclusive and anyone can be targeted.

Crime Prevention Advice
  • · Do research online to ensure the company is reputable by checking the registration details are correct and by viewing feedback online.
  • · Do not feel pressured to sign documentation without doing some basic checks.
  • · Do not respond to unsolicited emails, texts or calls offering rebate services.
  • · Make sure that you are aware and agree to the commission that will be paid to a rebate company prior to signing any documents.

· If you have been affected by this, or any other fraud, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.

Incident at Lendal Bridge, York

Serious delays to bus services in York

Police attended the Lendal Bridge scene at 3.03am Friday 17 February 2017 where a man had been found with serious injuries at the bottom of the steps on Dame Judi Dench Walk, Lendal Bridge in York.

The 25-year-old man from London has been taken to LGI where he remains in a critical condition.

Lendal Bridge is currently closed whilst police conduct an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed anything which would be helpful to the investigation is asked to contact police on 101, select option 1 and speak to the Force Control Room. Please quote reference 12170027352.

Tourist visitor numbers to UK increasing

According to the ONS both the number of people visiting the Uk and UK residents visiting abroad increased during the last quarter of 2016

Overseas residents made 9.2 million visits to the UK in the 3 months to December 2016. This was 6% higher than the same 3 months in 2015.

The amount spent on these visits was unchanged at £5.3 billion.

Visits from North America increased by 15% in the 3 months to December 2016, when compared with the same 3 months in 2015. Visits from residents of EU countries increased by 8% over the same period and visits from residents of other countries (countries other than Europe and North America) decreased by 3%.

In the 3 months to December 2016, overseas residents made 11% more visits for holidays than in the same period in 2015, trips to visit friends and relatives increased by 15%, while business visits decreased by 1%.

UK residents made 14.6 million visits abroad in the 3 months to December 2016, an increase of 8% compared with the same period in 2015. There was a 16% increase in trips to visit friends and relatives, the number of holidays increased by 7%, but business visits decreased by 2%.

The amount spent on visits overseas increased by 15% to £9 billion.

Residents views and safety risks ignored as planning Councillors back Arts Barge plan.

Sad to see the City’s planning committee rejected professional advice last night when they gave the go ahead to mooring an “Arts Barge” near Tower Gardens.

The plan was approved by 11 votes to 4.

It means that the Council has – subject to a license being granted – agreed to the provision of another alcohol based leisure facility on a river which has already claimed the lives of 7 people in recent years. All those that have died were to a lesser or greater extent intoxicated.

Residents had been concerned about the visual effect the barge would have on the appearance of the historic core. There were also fears about noise  generation at, and near, the venue.

However the main controversy remains the liability of taxpayers for the high risk venture.

It remains unclear how much the barge operators will pay in rent (license fee)  for  a mooring in what is a prime City centre location. In many cities moorings of this sort are auctioned with fees starting at £3000 pa. ..more for commercial sites. In theory Business Rates would also be payable but these could be reduced if the facility is operated by a Trust or under a  similar legal arrangement.

The crunch will now come when an application for a premises license is submitted. The Council has shown little backbone in resisting additional applications for drinking establishments even where they breech the City centre cumulative impact policy (see below).

Following the approval of an unsuitable design for a visitor centre at Clifford’s Tower – and the Council’s Executive committee seemingly intent on dropping ugly shipping containers onto a site in Piccadilly – City centre residents must be wondering who they can turn to for support.

York Council’s policy on licensing in the central area