Don’t fall for romance fraud this Valentine’s Day

WANT to start by thanking those who completed my precept survey last month. As ever, it was important that I heard from as many people as possible. understand how stretched finances are for many of us, so I need to carefully consider what the public has to say on any tax increases before I propose a finalised budget.

It is important to remind you it is also a difficult time for funding your police force; policing is not immune to the cost-of-living crisis, so the budget is being set against a challenging economic environment.

will continue to update you regarding my precept decision in the coming weeks.

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, urge online daters to stay alert to potential scammers and to not fall victim to romance fraud. Romance fraud is much more common than many of us realise, with fraudsters taking advantage of those trying to find a connection or relationship.

Romance fraud involves fraudsters masquerading as romantic partners and, after laying the groundwork for a ‘relationship’ with a victim, the scammer will ask for ‘favours’, like sending them money, providing personal and financial information, or purchasing items for them.

It isn’t hearts these fraudsters want to steal: it’s bank account balances.

This is an awful, heartbreaking crime; victims invest

Tue 7 Feb. The Pig, Hunstrete House Pensford. Free Garden Tours. The tours will take place every Tuesday and Thursday of February at 11am, lasting around 30-45 minutes. These tours will be subject to availability and are on 7th, 14th, 21st, 9th, 16th, 23rd of Feb. To book, please email events@ thepignearbath.com

Sun 19 Feb. Trowbridge. Civic Centre. CSF Pro Wrestling. An afternoon of high flying, gravity defying, body slamming, action packed family entertainment as twelve larger than life stars do battle in five Pro Bouts.

Exhibition Picks in Bath American Museum, Bath. Claverton. The Museum features collections from the United States where you can visit room sets that recreate periods of American history giving the feeling that someone has just stepped out, as well as our worldrenowned folk art, quilt and map collections. The Exhibition Gallery has a rotating programme of temporary exhibitions showcasing different links to American culture such as dinosaurs, photography, fashion, American music, history and travel.

Museum of Bath at Work. Julian Rd, Bath BA1 2RH. A Visual Record of a City at Work exhibition continues with photos and videos. Enter the Continued on page 23 time into someone and think they have a genuine personal connection. I know many victims feel ashamed when they realise romance fraudsters have scammed them.

Please know support is available from the police and the Action Fraud website.

If you think a family member or friend is a victim of this terrible crime, please make them aware of the signs and encourage them to report it to Action Fraud.

I would also like to bring to your attention our next Performance and Accountability Board (PAB), which will take place on Tuesday, February 7.

I was elected to be the voice of local people in policing. I will be questioning Chief Constable Sarah Crew to ensure she delivers

Shelford

an efficient, effective, and legitimate police service for our communities.

I will ask questions about police performance and priorities in Avon and Somerset.

If you have any concerns or questions you would like included in the live broadcast, you can contact me and the OPCC via our website.

n SPORTS NEWS IN BRIEF

Football: Bath City FC play in the Vanarama League South, the sixth tier of the English league system.

This month the team play at home in the league against Hampton and Richmond on the 7th, Ebbsfleet United on Saturday February 11th, Havant and Waterloovile on the 21st and Tonbridge Angels on the 25th.

The Romans go on the road to Chelmsford on February 4th and Dulwich Hamlet on the 18th.

Striker Alex Fletcher who suffered a head injury after colliding with concrete advertising boards during Bath City’s game with Dulwich Hamlet at Twerton Park in the autumn is making steady progress on the road to recovery.

Bear Flat FC: The Bears play in the third division of the Bath and District Sunday League.

More Football: Other local teams include Bath United FC who have a number of youth internationals in their squad, Larkhall Athletic; and Bath Arsenal Juniors. We would like to hear from these clubs and their junior and female sides - drop us a line with an email so we can keep up with your news.

Blue, Black and Whites: Bath Rugby play at The Rec in the

Gallagher Premiership. The Gallagher Premiership league awards 4 point for a win, 2 points for a draw, plus1 point will be awarded to a team that loses a match by 7 points or less and to a team scoring 4 tries or more in a match.

Home games this month are against on February 18th they play London Irish at 3pm KO while they entertain Bristol Bears on February 24th with an evening game.

The away game against Wasps has been cancelled since the former north London club now relocated to the Midlands having gone into administration and sold to new owners who have moved the team to Solihull Moors and have been relegated to the Championship.

The league remains unbalanced following the exit of two clubs due to financial problems despite an original promise in 2022 that the league would increase in size.

At the time of going to press former Bath rugby player Levi Davis was still missing in Spain. He was last seen in Barcelona on 29th October.

Bath Ladies Rugby: The 1st XV play Richmond at home on the 12th February.

Saracens Rugby: Bath Saracens are

Last month, Geoff Stevens from local charity Bath City FC Foundation received the Premier League‘s Community Captain award in recognition of his inspiring work for the community of Bath. The award of a pennant and armband was copresented by film director, Ken Loach, President of Bath City FC Foundation and Helen Donovan, Chair of Bath City FC Foundation during half time of the home match against Eastbourne Borough an amateur rugby club competing in the Counties 3 Tribute Dorset & Wilts Central.

Bath Saracens play at home this month against Combe Down 2nds on the 12th and are away to Melksham 2nds on the 19th.

More Rugby: There are more clubs in Bath including Walcot RFC; Old Culverhaysians RFC; Old Sulians RFC;

Oldfield Old Boys RFC and Bath Old Edwardians RFC. Send you news to Bath Voice - email below.

American Football: for fans of the sport Bath has its own team in the Killer Bees based at the University.

The Killer Bees have been a University club for 25 years with many former players going on to play for senior American Football

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