Trevor Carbin Liberal Democrat

Wiltshire Police are urging people to be vigilant after a Wiltshire couple were defrauded by scammers posing as police officers.

The couple were contacted over the phone by a man who claimed to be a police officer investigating fraud.

He told them someone had attempted to use their bank card fraudulently and told them to dial 999 to speak to their local force.

But he kept the line open, meaning the victims were still speaking to the fraudsters.

The victims then followed the instructions of the criminals, still believing they were police officers, and withdrew a large amount of cash, which was collected by someone pretending to be a courier.

Det Con Emma Wood, from Swindon CID, said this case showed how convincing and persuasive these types of fraudsters can be.
She said: "The victims in this case genuinely believed they were speaking to police officers and that they needed to cooperate with their requests or they could lose more money to fraudsters or even be arrested for perverting the course of justice.

"This is why it is so important that we remind people of the simple steps they can take to avoid being scammed in this way.

"Please remember, a police officer would never ask you to withdraw money and give it to them.

"They would also be able to meet you face-to-face and show you ID, and would be happy for you to verify their credentials by calling 101.

"If you receive a suspicious phone call then please hang up the phone and report it. Don't feel worried about appearing rude, it is better to be safe than sorry."

She added: "We would also like to urge people to speak to their friends and family members about these types of cases, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable - we want to protect as many people as possible."

It's not something the PM will have thought about, but a mid-winter election causes all sorts of logistical problems for the people who actually have to organise it. If the weather decides to do what it's allowed to do at this time of year and gets wintry, then it could be problematical for voters as well.

In the election for Wiltshire Council Jo Trigg, Lib Dem, got 622 votes whilst the Tory got 455. This is a Lib Dem gain from Con so good news for Trowbridge and Wiltshire!

Wiltshire Council has been allocated £75 million from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) to support the growth of Chippenham.

This will pay for a new road to the east and south of Chippenham, linking the A350 at the northern and southern ends of the town, as well as improvement works at J17 on the M4.

Wiltshire Council's Conservative administration has slapped charges back onto the park and ride service in Salisbury. This is because they think the support for the city following Novichok is no longer needed.

So it's back to the usual price of £3 return per person at the five park and ride sites - Beehive, Britford, London Road, Petersfinger and Wilton.

If you want to travel from Bradford on Avon along the Winsley bypass on the evenings of 13th or 14th December, then you won't be able to, because it'll be closed for resurfacing.

If, like a good motorist, you decide to obey the diversion signage you'll be sent through Bradford, Staverton, Hilperton and Trowbridge and onto the A361 to Beckington, then up the A36 to Limpley Stoke, then back up to Winsley. A total distance of 20 miles or so.

A consultation back in the summer raised objections to some of the proposals for more yellow lines at various sites around the town. So plans for more lines in Adcroft Drive, Victoria Road and Osborne Road won't go ahead.

Those in The Conigre, Eastbourne Gardens, Hornbeam Road, Silver Street Lane, Keates Close, Langford Road, Hyde Road, St John's Crescent and The Moldens will go ahead with amendments.

"Many under 18's have strong views on climate change but they are struggling to have their voices heard.

"Please click on this link to see a 2-minute video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCC0DIlEQSI&t linked to a parliamentary petition https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/272167 The song is a green version of Billy Joel's 'we didn't start the fire', and the petition is for the Government to consult with focus groups of young people when creating climate change policy.

Falling funding and declining birthrates mean times could get difficult for primary schools over the next few years, especially those in rural areas where there are even fewer children.

Wiltshire has about seventy schools with fewer than 120 pupils, most of which are supported by the local authority, though some have opted for national control as academies.

24 new gritters will be taking to the roads of Wiltshire this winter.

Wiltshire Council has leased the fleet ready to tackle any fresh 'Beast from the East' or any other bits of weather with stupid names..

As well as up-to-date technology, the fleet is fitted with low emission engines.

The gritters will be stationed in depots across the county.