Unfortunately some criminals are trying to take advantage of COVID 19 with new scams. These range from cyber scams - where people claim to have information about COVID 19 but which expose you to computer hacking - to people at the door taking money for shopping and not delivering it.
We’ve intercepted fake corona virus tests in the region too. Please do not buy testing kits online - these are dangerous as they don’t give an accurate result and may not be sterile either.
The new scams are changing by the day so please be vigilant. Citizens Advice (CitA) has launched advice on coronavirus scams and has an excellent scam checker.
For further advice and support you can also contact Citizens Advice Direct on 0808 250 5050.
As part of the Cyber Aware campaign the NCSC has also launched the ‘Suspicious Email Reporting Service’.
By forwarding any dubious emails you receive - including those claiming to offer support related to COVID-19 - to report@phishing.gov.uk, the NCSC’s automated programme will immediately test the validity of the site.
Any sites found to be phishing scams will be removed immediately.
Advice for businesses is rapidly changing. You can find the latest guidance and support for local businesses at Solihull For Success.
This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone however there is still help, advice and support for anyone that is experiencing domestic abuse.
If you are at immediate risk you must still ring 999 - press 55 when prompted if you can’t speak. Find details of where and how to get free, confidential advice and support here.
Social distancing, self-isolating and quarantine can cause stress and changes in everyone's behaviour. Families are under new pressures and you may worry a child is withdrawn, anxious or depressed. Spotting the signs of abuse might be more difficult and it can be difficult to know for certain if something is wrong.
But if you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, you can contact Solihull Children’s Services on 0121 788 4300 (Emergency out of hours 0121 605 6060) or contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in an online form. Abuse is always wrong and should always be reported.
Our Local Safeguarding Children Panel guidance provides further information.
Please be assured that we will continue to provide safeguarding support to vulnerable adults and children. Please contact us in the usual way, especially if you have a concern about someone’s welfare. These links provide more information:
The Safer Solihull Partners help people who are suffering as a result of a hate incident - whether it’s someone you know or a stranger - and understands that you may feel nervous about reporting it. You can contact one of our hate crime reporting centres in confidence - see below - or report to the police.
To report an incident to West Midlands Police call 101 or if it's an emergency dial 999.
You can also report crime completely anonymously at Crime stoppers at 0800 555 111.
For more information see - https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/your-options/hate-crime.
If you’ve been affected by crime, call your local victim care team in the West Midlands on 0300 303 1977.
Lines are open from 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday.
If you need support outside of their open hours, call their Supportline for free on 0808 1689 111 or request support via their website.
Our Solihull Community Advice Hubs bring together a partnership of local organisations to provide information, advice and support.
Central Solihull Community Advice Hub
The Core, Theatre Square, B91 3RG
Telephone: 0121 705 3588
Chelmsley Wood Community Advice Hub
Chelmsley Wood Library, 10 West Mall, Chelmsley Wood, B37 5TN
Telephone: 0121 705 3588
The Bromford Group provide support service for vulnerable people aged 16+ including housing support.
Flat 75, Wharf Lane, Solihull, B91 2LF
Telephone: 0121 704 9936
Tivoli Court
Flat 1, 237B Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3AH
Telephone: 0121 733 8166
For free, confidential, impartial and independent advice visit Citizens Advice Solihull.
176 Bosworth Drive, Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, B37 5DZ
Telephone: 0300 330 9019
Solihull Action through Advocacy advocate for people with learning disabilities and older people.
11-13 Land Lane, Marston Green
Telephone: 0121 706 4696
Solihull Community Housing strive to ensure that all occupiers (tenants, owner occupiers and leaseholders) have a safe and peaceful environment to live in.
Telephone: 0121 779 8832
If you have been a victim of hate crime don't be afraid to report it. We'll work with you to ensure any incidents are fully investigated.
Telephone: 0121 704 6000
1 Herbert Road, Solihull, B91 3QE
0121 705 0228
It is not a criminal offence to have bonfire burning domestic garden waste that has been removed by the occupier. However, we do ask people to follow Solihull’s bonfire guidance and show consideration to each other. For further information see our Bonfires page.