crime

Criminals stole over £879 million through investment fraud in 2025

Message from Report Fraud.

Victims of investment fraud lost an average of £1,675 every minute last year, new figures from the City of London Police, the National Lead Force for Fraud, have revealed.

Criminals stole £879.8 million through investment fraud last year – an average of £2.4 million a day.

In 2025, 34,673 people reported investment fraud to Report Fraud, the national service that replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. This marks a 31 per cent rise on the previous year. The rise in reporting is not only linked to an increase in investment fraud, but also due to the point at which victims realise what has happened. Reports began climbing steadily from March and spiked in July and September when many people review their investments, move money into new products or check their returns ahead of the new financial year.

As part of wider fraud‑prevention work, we are urging the public to take simple steps to protect themselves.

  • Before making any investment, use the FCA’s firm checker tool, to confirm whether a firm or individual is authorised. The tool can be accessed via the FCA website and is one of the most effective ways to avoid cloned firms and bogus advisers.
  • We encourage anyone considering an investment to be cautious of unsolicited messages, adverts promising unusually high returns, or requests to keep the offer “confidential”.
  • You can also contact the Financial Conduct Authority’s consumer helpline on 0800 111 6768 or report suspicious businesses or individuals by using the reporting form on their website.

Any suspicious activity should be reported to Report Fraud as soon as possible at www.reportfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, victims of fraud and cybercrime should report to Police Scotland on 101.

By RDRA Web Admin, ago

Dementia information leaflets collected for those who couldn’t make the event

Free Health Walks

Short and sociable walks across Hertfordshire led by friendly volunteers. Find out how to join a weekly Health Walk or become a volunteer, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/healthwalks or call 01992 555 888. Click for our leaflet. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before walks with suitable shoes and clothing. We recommend you bring a water bottle. Maybe stay for cuppa afterwards!

First steps: Meet up in the Cafe – Wednesdays at 11am (except 8th April)
Address: Mill End Community Centre, Church Lane WD3 8HD

Grade 1-2: Meet outside the Cafe – Tuesdays at 2pm
Address: Cafe in th Park, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmore Lane WD3 1NB

Grade 4+: Meet at the Tea Shack – Friday 9:30am
Address: Woodoaks Farm, Denham Way, Maple Cross, Rickmansworth WD3 9XQ

Grade 4 to 4+: Meet outside the Cafe – Sunday at 2pm (29th March, 26th April)
Address: Cafe in th Park, Rickmansworth Aquadrome, Frogmore Lane WD3 1NB

Click for the full timetable of Health Walks in different areas.

Herts Connected replaces OWL messages

A free interactive messaging service from Hertfordshire Constabulary. Residents can receive information and updates about crime in your area, local police events and initiatives.

Visit www.hertsconnected.co.uk to sign up for Herts Connected messages.
And also follow Hertfordshire Constabulary on all social platforms: @hertspolice.

Cyber Crime and Fraud Awareness:
herts.police.uk/cyber-fraud

Report Fraud
Always report scam emails, texts, websites, adverts & phone calls as follows:

  • Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
  • Forward scan texts to 7726 (handy tip: 7726 spells out SPAM on a phone keyboard).
  • Report suspicious phone calls: text 7726 with the word ‘Call’, followed by the caller’s telephone number.
  • Report fake/scam websites and adverts – visit reportfraud.police.uk.

Let us know if you have incurred financial loss or have been hacked as a result of responding to a scam – call 0330 123 2040 or visit reportfraud.police.uk.

Which
Find out about product reviews, consumer rights and sign-up for free scam alerts newsletter – which.co.uk.

Beacon
Hertfordshire’s Victim Care Cntre supporting victims of all crime in Hertfordshire – hertfordshirebeacon.org.

Cifas
The UK’s Fraud Prevention Community. Offers protection against identity theft – cifas.org.uk/individuals.

HM Land Registry
Sign up to the free Property Alert service to help protect your property from fraud – gov.uk/guidance/property-alert.

The Electoral Register & the ‘Open Register’
Make sure people cannot buy these lists to obtain your details. Opting out of these lists does not affect your right to vote – gov.uk/electoral-register/opt-out-of-the-open-register.

Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
Your details may be publicly available in various online telephone directories (UK Phone Book, 192, BT Find a person, Yell), even when you are ex-directory! Register for Telephone Preference Service to avoid unsolicited calls: https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/register.

Financial Conduct Authority – FCA
The FCA Warning List shows firms and individuals that are not authorised or registered by the FCA and are operating without permission or running scams – fca.org.uk/scamsmart.

National Cyber Security Centre (a part of GCHQ)
Advice and free tools on how to stay secure online. Visit ncsc.gov.uk.

Get Safe Online
Check a website URL before you visit at getsafeonline.org.

Stop Scams UK
Call 159 – the safest way to contact your bank urgently if you have suspicions and concerns about your bank accounts. Visit stopscamsuk.org.uk.

Pwned
Check if your email has been exposed in a data breach or leaked online. Sign up to be notified: haveibeenpwned.com.

Trading Standards at Citizens Advice
Contact us if you think a business or tradesperson has broken the law or acted unlawfully. Or you need help finding a trusted trader. Call 0808 223 1133 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk.

Golden Memories – Mondays 10:30 to 12pm

Visit the Sensory Room at Watford FC, Vicarage Road Stadium for a weekly look back through the decades using football history and music to evoke personal memories. For people living with dementia and their carers and/or loved ones. Sessions are supported by volunteers, guest speakers, former players, memorabilia, respite for carers/families, monthly excursions, music and dance through the eras and chair-based exercise. In partnership with the Alzeheimer’s Society. Click for case study.

Contact Tablina, Health & Wellbeing Older Adults Project Officer on 07561 290200 or Tablina.Mavlonazarova@watfordfc.com.

Rennie Grove Peace

Call 01923 606030 or email compassion@renniegrovepeace.org for more information.

Express Yourself – last Thursday of every month, 1:30 to 3pm
Oxhey Library, Bridlington Road, South Oxhey WD19 7AG

Enjoy arts and crafts activities and connect with others over a cuppa. Open to anyone who is lonely due to illness or bereavement. Carers and families welcome. No need to book, refreshments available. In partnership with Healthy Hub Three Rivers. Visit our website.

Keep Active – last Monday of every month, 10:30am to 12:30pm
Elvira’s, Henderon Hub, High Street Abbots Langley, WD5 0AT

Join in with our wellbing activities, connect with others and find out what support is available to you. Open to anyone diagnosed with a serious illness, carers and families welcome. Visit our website.

Community Cuppa – every 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:30am to 12pm

A place to met others, socialise and build up friendships over a cuppa while living well. Everyone welcome! In partnership with Radfield Home Care and Rennie Grove Peace. Call 01923 624 674 or visit our website.

Address: Stanborough Church, 609 St Albans Road, Watford WD25 9JL.

Memory Support Hertfordshire

Are you living with dementia or worried about memory loss? Visit: www.memorysupportherts.org.uk.

Call 0300 131 3946 (Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm) or email info@memorysupportherts.org.uk.

Young Onset Dementia Support – tailored support for those under 65 who are living with dementia, including those who also have a learning difficulty and those with rare forms of dementia.

Admiral Nurses – when things get challenging, we work alongside family/carers to give one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions.

Dementia Friendly Communities – working with local organisations, communities and new accreditation scheme to make Hertfordshire a place to live well with dementia.

Radfield Home Care

Our home care services empower people to lead the lives they want in comfort and familiarity in their own home. Personalised award-winning care. Regulated by Care Quality Commission. Call us for a chat 01923 624 674 or visit watford@radfieldhomecare.co.uk.

Visiting care
We can help you with: Personal car, Domestic assistance, Nutrition and hydration, Getting home from hospital, Medical assistance, Overnight carer, Respite care, Companionship and outings.

Live in care
Benefits of live in care: Personalised attention and care, Comfort, familiarity and flexibility, Safety and support, Independence and dignity at home, Cost-effective.

Connected care
Our connected care solutions: OKEachDay – daily check in, Go GPS – location reassurance, Careline – Fall detctor and MiiCare – Home sensors.

Day care
What’s included in day care: Qualitified Care Professionals, Regulated care plan management, Warm shared space with two-course lunch, Individual activities and Personalised care plan.

Attendance Allowance – Grey Matters Consultancy

Extra help when you need it most. We can show you how you might be able to get regular financial assistance to help you remain independent in your own home and make your life easier. We offer a no win no fee service to help you fill in complicated forms. Disability Rights UK Member. Visit our website.
Call us on 07752 086507 or email info@grey-matters-consultancy.com.

For more information and to take a look at the forms yourself, visit: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Local PC & PCSO outside The Wimpy on Saturday 2nd Aug at 2pm

Rickmansworth Neighbourhood Policing Team will be holding a Community Engagement Session.

Meet PC Gottmann and PCSO Moy outside The Wimpy in Mill End – they are keen to hear about any concerns you have regarding Anti Social Behaviour, crime or any other issues affecting you or our local community.

If you can’t attend this event, we are still keen to hear about any concerns through this short survey:
https://survey.hertsconnected.co.uk/Survey/HASH/9BC4A71D79CC2095B46B11317633E6D4

By R.D.R.A., ago

Youth violence prevention programme on 6th February

Message from OWL

Tuesday 6th Feb, 5.30pm to 8pm at Watersmeet

Click here to book your place using the online form

A police-led youth violence prevention programme which diverts young people away from knife crime, gangs and county lines across Watford, Three Rivers and Hertsmere has entered its fifth year.

First launched in 2019 the anti-violence project – supported by partners – has grown year on year and the team have announced three new anti-violence awareness events for the first quarter of 2024.

Anti-violence campaigner Alison Cope will share the hard-hitting story about her late son Joshua with an audience of parents, families, young people over the age of 10 – as well as education and care professionals – at the free events across Hertsmere, Three Rivers, and Watford.

Those attending will learn about the true impact of knife crime, the signs to look out for and how to help the young people in their lives make positive choices.

Alison will also be joined by Russell Symons of Impressionable Minds, who will deliver an input on bullying, extremism, drugs, county lines, and alcohol awareness.

Further information about this event and topic is on herts.police.uk website

By R.D.R.A., ago