LATEST NEWS, inside the BPS

Scam Alert: Beware of Phishing E-mails Targeting Seniors

Thu, 2023-03-02

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to advise members of the public to beware of phishing scams that seek to obtain money, personal information and banking details.

Scam Alert: Beware of Imposters’ Claims & Fake Property Listings

Thu, 2023-03-02

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is once again advising members of the public to beware of social media scams that seek to obtain money, personal information and banking details.

In one such scam recently, a local man paid $1,000 for bedroom furniture advertised for sale on Instagram.

He was then contacted by someone claiming to work for a money service business, who needed help moving money out of accounts.

The same local man was ultimately contacted by someone who suggested that they were a detective in the Bermuda Police Service cyber crimes unit, following up on a computer related crime. The imposter asked for full personal banking details.

Recognising that the two spontaneous requests from individuals allegedly representing official organisations were also scams, the man did not comply with either request.

These matters are currently under investigation by the BPS Financial Crimes Unit.

Another scam which is circulating on social media involves apartments for rent in Bermuda and in other jurisdictions, where a deposit is requested to view the property.

However, once the deposit money is received, the person supposedly offering the apartment is no longer contactable and no property visit takes place.

Residents are reminded to be wary of any social media advertisements where the seller requires an initial cash deposit and/or personal information upfront.

In addition, it is strongly recommended that members of the public do their own due diligence regarding any social media advertisements they may be interested in.

Suspected scams can be reported by calling 211, or sending an e-mail to 211@bps.bm.

Operation Vega Update for February 2023

Wed, 2023-03-01

Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Operations Division – “For the month of February 2023, recorded traffic infractions were down in all categories when compared to January 2023. The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) continues to progress Operation Vega under the ethos of calming the roads and making the roads safer, while holding those who commit traffic offences accountable.

Injuries in both fatal and serious injury collisions are consistently attributable to head injury. As part of the investigation into these matters, we are specifically looking at helmets, to determine if improper use or sub-standard helmets are contributing to these injuries. We encourage all to inspect your helmets. If they are damaged in any way, it is imperative that they are replaced.

The BPS continues to receive reports from members of the public who have suffered a bad driving experience. This includes careless overtaking, such as overtaking on the inside, being cut off and cycles encroaching to the opposite side of the road. We encourage all to reflect on their own driving behaviour and ensure that you are not adding to the problem.

Instances of impaired driving continues to be of concern. 27 people were arrested for this offence in February with 11 of those in an advertised road side sobriety testing weekend.

This compares to 14 motorists that were arrested in January. If you drink – do not drive, the life you save might be your own.”

Statistics

During the month of February 2023, 358 traffic tickets were issued, down from 490 in the previous reporting period. In addition, in this reporting period 56 motorist advice notices (official written warnings) were issued, down from 73 in the previous reporting period.

105 parking tickets were also issued, down from 240 in the previous reporting period.

For the first two months of this year (January & February 2023), 41 impaired drivers were arrested. That compares to 23 for the same period in 2022.

Since the start of Operation Vega (6th July 2021), a total of 8,923 traffic tickets have been issued.

The breakdown of ticketed traffic offences for February 2023 is below. The change compared to the previous reporting period is provided in brackets.

Speeding                                      222 (-32) Speeds ranged from 58 kph to 94 kph.  

Traffic sign                                    52 (-13)                 

Unlicensed vehicle                      24 (-22)                  

No third party insurance            21 (-14)           

No driver’s licence                       17 (-28)      

Manner of driving                          5 (+1)

Disqualified driver                         0 (-2)                     

Seatbelt                                           2 (-2)                       

Helmet                                            8 (+3)               

Handheld device                           3 (-12)

Defective vehicle                           2 (0)

Fail to give name/address            0 (0)

Fail to stop                                      2 (+2)

Fraudulent documents                 0 (-1)

Making false statement               0 (-1)

License plate offence                   0 (-4)

Tint offence                                   0 (-7)

Youth license offence                  0 (0)

11 Impaired Driving Arrests During Checkpoints This Past Weekend

Mon, 2023-02-27

Acting Superintendent Robert Cardwell, Tactical Operations Division – “As advertised, road side sobriety testing was enforced between last week Thursday, 23rd February 2023 and Sunday, 26th February 2023 on the roads of Bermuda.

In this period, 1,868 engagements were recorded. An engagement is a conversation between a police officer and a motorist where a sobriety assessment is conducted.

24 motorists were tested on road side sobriety testing devices. 11 of those motorists then failed the alco-analyser test at Hamilton Police Station and were arrested for an impaired driving offence.

In addition, during these exercises 5 road users were arrested on outstanding court apprehension warrants, 6 were issued moving violation tickets and 6 were issued motorist advice notices (official written warnings).

Two people were arrested for taking a motorcycle without the owner’s consent and two stolen motorcycles were recovered.

In the month of February 2023 to date, 27 motorists have been arrested for impaired driving offences. This compares to 11 motorists for the same period in 2022.

We continue to be concerned around how prolific impaired driving is in our community.

Even in the face of advertisement, there are those who will continue to take the chance.

11 arrests over the course of the last weekend equates to 11 lives saved.

Our message remains, if you drink do not drive.”

Collision: Cedar Avenue & Dundonald Street Junction, Pedal Cyclist Hurt

Mon, 2023-02-27

Around 11:30am on Monday 27th February, 2023, emergency services were dispatched to the scene of a serious collision at the junction of Cedar Avenue and Dundonald Street, City of Hamilton involving a car and a pedal cyclist.

On arrival at the scene it was ascertained that a man driving the motorcar was headed east along Dundonald Street, crossing the junction with Cedar Avenue, when it is believed that a man riding a pedal cycle south on Cedar Avenue ran a red light and collided with the motorcar.

The pedal cyclist was transported to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and is being treated for head injuries. The driver of the car, was not reported to be injured.

A portion of the road between Brunswick Street and Cedar Avenue is closed, while traffic accident investigators process the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed this collision is asked to call Constable Tyler Nelmes on 211 or email tnelmes@bps.bm.

Male Motorcyclist Seriously Hurt in Sandys Parish Collision

Sat, 2023-02-25

Shortly after 9pm on Saturday 25th February 2023, police and other first responders were dispatched to a serious two vehicle collision on western side of Scaur Hill, Sandys.

Early information suggests a male motorcyclist was traveling east on Scaur Hill, when he was struck by a male on an off-road scrambler which was travelling in the opposite direction, at a high rate of speed. Shortly after the collision the male riding the scrambler fled the scene.

The motorcycle rider was conveyed to King Edward Memorial Hospital, with what was described as a severe leg injury. It is not known if the other male was injured.

Traffic heading east is being diverted over Fort Scaur and westbound traffic is being diverted through the railway trail at the entrance to Lantana.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision or anyone who may have seen an off-road scrambler in the area around the time of the collision, to contact PC Rajiv Bailey on 211 or rbailey@bps.bm.

Three Vehicle Collision on South Road in Warwick

Fri, 2023-02-24

Around 1:45pm on Friday 24th February 2023, police and other emergency services were dispatched to the scene of a three vehicle collision involving an intermediate truck, a water truck  and a motorcar, at the junction of Middle Road and Spring Hill Road, Warwick.

Initial information suggests that the two trucks both headed in opposite directions collided, causing the truck headed east to cross into the westbound lane and collide with a motorcar which was traveling west.

The drivers of the intermediate truck and the motorcar, both female, have been transported to King Edward VII Memorial for treatment of injuries, the extent of which is not known at this time.

The male driver of the water truck was not reported to be injured.

The collision has left the road completely impassable.

Traffic diversions have been put in place at Middle Road with the junctions of Morgan’s  Road and Cobbs Hill Road until the vehicles are removed from the scene.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact PC Tiffani Williams on 211 or  tiffani.williams@bps.bm.

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