Category: Featured

We’re calling on drivers to keep their conscience and roadsides clear as part of a new national roadside litter campaign by Keep Wales Tidy.

With more vehicles than ever before on our roads and a significant increase in our food and drink on-the-go culture, roadside litter is a growing problem in Wrexham and across Wales.

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It is harmful to our environment and wildlife. It ruins the beautiful views for locals and visitors alike, whilst also being difficult, dangerous and expensive to clean up.

Research shows that 78% of vehicle litterers feel guilty after littering. The new campaign encourages drivers to have a guilt free journey with no regrets and to ‘Drive your litter home’.

The nationwide campaign is being run as part of Caru Cymru (a Welsh phrase meaning ‘Love Wales’) – an inclusive movement led by Keep Wales Tidy and local authorities to inspire people to take action and care for the environment.

As we approach the busy summer months and drivers head to our parks, beaches and tourist hotspots you’ll notice lots of advertising encouraging everyone to take their litter home.

Caru Cymru has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

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As the night time economy in Wrexham becomes busier the number of young people coming in to the town centre increases.

This increase in trade is welcomed by local businesses there’s always some who are underage and trying to get into pubs and clubs using either counterfeit or borrowed identification.  Now, vigilance by door staff is stopping many under 18’s from breaking the law by retaining any suspect identification and turning them away.

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In the last two months alone 11 passports and 73 drivers licences and citizen cards have been retained and forwarded to the Trading Standards section.

These documents are sent back to the issuing agencies informing them that they have been used fraudulently. This amounts to approximately £3235 that will have to be spent again for new identification as well the owner having to answer some difficult questions.

Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said, “The message from this is loud and clear…..if you are discovered trying to get in to a licensed premises using I.D that belongs to someone else or is counterfeit, it will be retained and you will be turned away.

“Using a false identity document is a serious matter and the cost and inconvenience if you are caught is significant. Just don’t do it.”

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New data from Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime, reveals that 4,982 people fell victim to ticket fraud in the 2021/22 financial year.

Victims reported losing £3.8 million – an average loss of over £750 per victim!

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They received 623 reports in September alone last year – the highest number of reports received since March 2020, as most festivals and events operated as usual for the first time since pre-pandemic.

The highest percentage of reports (27 per cent) came from 20 to 29 year-olds and almost half (48 per cent) of victims were aged 20 to 49 years old.

Reports continue to be received this year so stay alert and know how to spot the signs of ticket fraud:

Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said, “There’s no doubt that these types of criminals are out there trying to get their hands on your money.

“No matter how keen you are to get to an event or festival please learn to spot the signs of fraud in order to avoid disappointment and a smaller bank balance.”

Spot the signs of ticket fraud and protect yourself:

• Only buy tickets from the venue’s box office, official promoter or agent, or a well-known and reputable ticket site.
• Avoid paying for tickets by bank transfer, especially if buying from someone unknown. Credit card or payment services such as PayPal give you a better chance of recovering your money if you become a victim of fraud.
• Be wary of unsolicited emails, texts or adverts offering unbelievably good deals on tickets. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Is the vendor a member of STAR? (Secure Tickets from Authorised Retailers) If they are, the company has signed up to their strict governing standards. STAR also offers an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution service to help customers with outstanding complaints. For more information: star.org.uk/buy_safe.

Action Fraud also advises that the public follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from fraud.

Stop: taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.

Challenge: could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

Protect: if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

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Family Information Services (FIS) are the first point of contact for advice and information on local services for families and carers.

They provide free, impartial help, support and advice on a range of family issues including: Childcare and help with the costs of childcare, Health Care, Education and Training, Leisure services and Finances.

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They can put you in touch with experts who will provide free help and support tailored to your individual needs. They can also signpost you to useful information and services of Welsh Government Programmes.

If you would like to meet the team then why not visit them during their new drop in sessions at the following libraries:

• Coedpoeth library on the first Tuesday of the month – 2-4pm
• Gwersyllt Community Resource Centre on the third Wednesday of the month – 1-3pm (starting 18 May)
• Rhos Library on the last Wednesday of the month – 10-12pm (starting 25 May)
• Wrexham Library on the second Friday of the month – 10-12pm (starting 13 May)

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More than £57 million was lost last year to scams where victims were tricked into handing over control of their computer or smartphone to criminals.

The figure has been issued by Action Fraud, the national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime and shows that over 20,000 fell victim to these scams after they were persuaded to grant criminals remote access to their device.

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What is a remote access scam?

Remote access tool scams will often begin with a browser pop-up saying that your computer is infected with a virus, or with a call from someone claiming to be from your bank saying that they need to connect to your computer in order to cancel a fraudulent transaction on your account.

Criminals will then try to persuade the victim to download and connect via a remote access tool, which allows the criminal to gain access to the victims computer or mobile phone. If the victim allows the criminal connection via the tool, they are able to steal money and access the victims banking information.

Criminals pose as legitimate businesses

Roger Mapleson, Trading Standards and Licensing Lead, said, “Remote access tools can be used safely when used by your employer for example to fix a problem with your device or install new software. Criminals however are posing as legitimate businesses in order to get at your money or details by saying there’s a problem with your account that they can fix.

“Always ask yourself “is this a scam?” if you are contacted out of the blue or receive a warning on your device. Legitimate businesses will never ask for remote access to your device. Check out their websites to see what they have to say about contacting you or ask a family member or friend before anything that will put your money and details at risk.”

How to protect yourself from remote scams

• Only install software or grant remote access to your computer if you’re asked by someone you know and trust, such as a friend or family member, and never as a result of an unsolicited call, browser pop up, or text message.
• Remember, a bank or service provider will never contact you out of the blue requesting remote access to your device.
• If you believe your laptop, PC, tablet or phone has been infected with a virus or some other type of malware, follow the NCSC’s guidance on recovering an infected device.
• Protect your money by contacting your bank immediately on a different device from the one the scammer contacted you on.
• Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Action Fraud also advises that the public follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from fraud.

• Stop:Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• Protect:If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

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This research is being conducted by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

We want to chat to Wrexham residents who’ve had money issues and have needed to access any of the services or benefits available to support them during these difficult times.

Wrexham Council and Welsh local government are hoping that by getting a better understanding of your experiences and needs, we can understand how to make the services we offer better for residents like you.

Type of session: An informal one-to-one chat with our researcher.

Dates and times: We’re flexible with the dates and times of the sessions. If you let us know your availability, we’ll arrange the session to suit you.

Length of session: 30 minutes to one hour.

Location: We’re flexible with location. We can either do the research in person, online, or over the phone.

As a thank you: £20 Love2shop vouchers for each participant.

Who: The research will be conducted by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

How: Register online.

Wrexham Carnival of Words is fast approaching and there’s still tickets available for many events including bestselling Welsh author Bethan Gwanas, bestselling local author Carys Davies, romantic saga novelist Milly Johnson, and author of smash hit TV series Keeping Faith – Matthew Hall.

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Barbara Erskine master of the time slip genre will be appearing live this year with historical writer Patricia Bracewell. Sarah Hilary, Richard and Judy booklist nominee will talk about her latest book Fragile. For something different why not listen to Rev Dr Jason Bray talk about his experiences of exorcism.

Local authors, Peter Evans (River Dee) and Chris Clode (Slate Mines of Wales) give afternoon talks. Alan Johnson makes a welcome return to talk about his first venture into the world of fiction.

And for those who like to be creative why not join in our poetry night with Viva Voce or our Writers’ Carousel with panels of local authors, writers and poets. For details of the full programme and how to buy tickets visit www.wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com

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As in previous years, we’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal over the Easter period.

So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday or Monday, we’ll still empty your bin as usual on Good Friday or Easter Monday…the bank holidays won’t affect anything.

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