18/08/2014 BBC Points West

you might stay dry. The temperatures will still be in the

The scam which has duped hundreds of elderly people.

Dawn raids to catch the people responsible for convincing victims

to empty their bank accounts We'll talk to an expert about the fraud

We'll talk to an expert about the fraud

He rang twice on the Sunday and said he was going to ring us again under

Wednesday. He very persistent. `` he was very persistent.

We'll talk to an expert about the fraud

A woman is arrested as a Wiltshire children's nursery is closed

We'll be meeting the West Country stars from

And all smoke and mirrors ` from everyday dockland to Alice's

The new blockbuster film transforming Gloucester Quays.

It's a scam which has already duped 300 elderly victims in the region.

All of them conned out of thousands of pounds from their life savings.

One individual even handed over ?40,000.

The so`called courier scam originated in the South West,

and today three 18 year olds are under arrest

In a moment, we'll speak to a criminologist about the fraud,

but first this report by our home affairs correspondent, Steve Brodie.

Officers from Zephyr were joined by uniformed members of the

Three men suspected to be part of the courier fraud scam are

Of the 300`plus victims of courier fraud, many are over 60 and too

often they are left confused, frightened and feeling vulnerable.

Iris Styles and her husband, Jeffrey, were repeatedly targeted

by the conmen and were about to transfer ?90,000

into a so`called safe account at HSBC, but the scam failed.

You never know what you're going to get with these phone calls. They can

renew at half`past eight at night. The nuisance phones calls are the

biggest problem we have in society today. `` phone calls.

The gangs have a number of different scams they use to prey

Sometimes they will see that as a problem with the corrupt bank

employee and the only way to sort it out is to send money to the bank

headquarters. They will then send a courier to pick the money from the

victim will then pay it unknowingly to the offender. `` Google `` who

will bend. Susan Crabbe's frail 89`year`old

father, who lives in Minehead, was first phoned up

and told he owed money but when he said he didn't have any

debts, they changed their story. They looked into the matter and

discovered money had been moved out of my father's bank account into an

American bank account. If dad could just give them his bank details,

they would make sure it was put back into his account. And they asked him

several times for his bank details, which he didn't give them.

Many victims of courier crime are too embarrassed to come forward

But the police say they have nothing to

be ashamed about as the fraudsters are both sophisticated and clever.

And there are warning signs that the public should be aware of.

Be aware of these calls. If you have a friend, relative or neighbour who

you think may be susceptible to this, have this conversation to make

them aware. As soon as people know about it, they will know to ignore

the calls and contact police so that we can deal with it.

This evening, the arrested men are being questioned

Joining us now is Martin Gill, who is a professor of criminology.

It is hard to believe that these gangs can be that convincing. They

are very convincing. I have spoken to these people in prison when they

reflect on offences. The thing is, that is the aim, that they are

convincing. They are practised and very skilled at it. What other signs

that people watch out The key is to be very wavy of nuisance phone calls

in the first place. Credible institutions just do not say they

will send out a courier and they do not ask you to do things on the

phone which are really illogical and require you to act and media elite.

The key thing is, make sure you are dealing with a bank that you trust

and do not react immediately by falling back on the line you have

just used by these fraudsters. They are very clever and immediate in the

way they act. You mentioned you have spoken to some of these people in

prison. Did you garner from them how they actually pick out their

victims? Sometimes they buy lists of people who are vulnerable. This is

why sometimes people are repeat victims. Often they find out through

networks, they are very well connected often, and the idea is you

pick on the most vulnerable because the other people who most likely

give away the money. It is a horrible thought but it is the way

they behave and you have to understand that. It leaves scars on

the victims themselves, doesn't it? Absolutely. One of the great

findings from recent research on fraud is how traumatising being a

victim of fraud can be. Some things people think because it is fraud, it

is detached and not so immediate. But losing any money and being

deceived can be very traumatising indeed. Do you think this courier

scam is now at an end or can run can stick it up? Absolutely, they can

pick it up. I regularly appear on outlets like this when the country

talking about this. It will be ongoing and others will replace

them, so be on your guard. The owner of a Wiltshire nursery

says staff are co`operating fully with the police following

its temporary closure while The Little Angels Nursery in Calne

has been given a suspension order by the schools watchdog Ofsted

following concerns that children may A 37`year`old woman who was

arrested on Saturday has Here's our Wiltshire reporter,

Will Glennon. The gates are closed either in

Little Angels Nursery. No pavements have been to drop off or collect

children all day. `` no pavements. On the gates here is a notice of

suspension of the nursery's registration from Ofsted from the

16th of August, that is Saturday, to the 25th of September. It says the

purpose of the suspension is to allow time to investigate a belief

that a child might be exposed to the risk of harm and for any necessary

steps to be taken to eliminate or reduce that risk. `` risk. It says

the situation will be reviewed regularly and suspension will be

lifted if children are no longer at risk. We do know that children

arrested a 37`year`old woman on Saturday. She was questioned and

then released on deal. Police have not said any more about the detail

of the investigation and nothing about the nature of the allegations.

The BBC has spoken to the owner of the Little Angels Nursery School

you, in lady called Rachel Cartmell. She has issued a statement saying

she has not been arrested and that she and her staff are cooperating

with the investigation. There are 78 pupils registered at Little Angels

Nursery, aged between two and four. There are nine full`time staff. The

last off `` Ofsted in inspection was earlier this year and it was given a

good rating. All periods of children at the nozzle and have been informed

of the closure. `` parents of children at the Nurse.

An ambulance driver has been suspended

after the emergency vehicle he was driving hit two men outside GCHQ

Both men, in their early 30s, have serious injuries.

It was here on the A40 early yesterday morning

that a car ambulance was heading out of Cheltenham responding to

But at 12.40am, it crashed into two pedestrians.

Shaken but unjured, the paramedic called for an ambulance and treated

The pair were taken to the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital

One of them ` a 32`year`old man from Bristol ` has since been transferred

to Southmead Hospital where he's being treated for head injuries.

The other, a 30`year`old man from Cricklade in Wiltshire,

who has serious leg injuries, is still being cared for here tonight.

The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust says

following standard procedures, it's suspended the paramedic

from driving duties until he's completed a driving assessment.

It's also carrying out an investigation.

The police are appealing for witnesses.

Thank you for starting your week with Points West.

We've got lots more to bring you on this Monday evening, including:

We're there to greet the West women's Rugby World Cup champions

And Hollywood smoke and mirrors in Gloucester Docks,

as filming for the latest Alice adventure gets underway.

The Bishop of Taunton's promising to turn up the heat

on politicians to ensure flood victims in Somerset get the best

The Right Reverend Peter Maurice says he and other bishops will lobby

the House of Lords to help get the cash the county needs to

When the Prime Minster flew over the Levels in February, he described

Today, in the church at Moorland, the Bishop of Taunton launched

The building itself is still under repair,

High on his list is campaigning for the millions

The handful of flood victims who came to listen

My lobbying for the House of Lords will be to do with keeping this high

on the agenda. Having spoken to David Heath just now, he has urged

me to send copies to the new Environment Minister, the flooding

minister and indeed to Number 10. The handful

of flood victims who came to listen approved and believe the Church can

help hold back the water. Because it is an apolitical

organisation and because they can influence on the House of Lords,

they might be able to get things done for us that we as ordinary

people would find hard. The Bishop wants Somerset's churches

to be better equipped to help In Muchelney this winter,

the church doubled as a post office Now they're hoping to install

a kitchen with running water, Next time, we hope for more

facilities. But we hope that particular need will not happen

again. The report raises concerns about the

long`term trauma of being flooded out and questions whether victims

are getting the help they need. A significant number of people are

not sleeping. It is affecting people's moods. And there is a major

impact on people's health. Certainly as well, there is a financial impact

in terms of ensuring the houses. The Bishop also wants

the church to set up an emergency flood relief fund to

get money to victims more quickly. Tonnes

of waste have started to be removed from a Swindon recycling site that's

been on fire for almost a month. The rubbish is being taken

from Averies Recycling in Marshgate to a landfill site in Blunsdon to

allow fire fighters more space to The Environment Agency is overseeing

the operation after the owner failed to comply with

orders to remove the 3,000 tonnes. It's expected smoke levels

will rise as the fire Motorists using one of the busiest

routes into Bristol face six Work began this morning on repairing

a viaduct on the A370 near It means diversions

and potentially long delays, though After months of warnings,

time to start. Three lanes of one of the West's

busiest routes down to just one. This morning,

they started stripping off the It's 45 years old

and showing its age. Water has been seeping

into the bridge The risk of not doing this work is

the part that need deteriorate further ` it may seize,

which would mean the road surface could buckle so it

would be out of service for longer But for all the talk of traffic

gridlock on surrounding routes, in the morning and this is

Long Ashton. At the height of the rush hour,

it seems quiet, I think most people think

when the schools go back it'll be If the work has to be done,

it has to be done. You can't help but feel 23 weeks is

a long time for it to be closed. Also closed to cars this week,

though only during the day, another key approach into Bristol

from the West. the important thing to us in regards

to the bridge works is to ensure that was done during August. That is

when the bridges considerably quieter. There is no school run in

the afternoon, for example. So August is the month

the cones come out. And in the case of the A370,

motorists have been warned they're England's World Cup winning rugby

team are back home. Four players from Bristol ladies, who are part of

the squad, well there. A guard of honour and a brass band to welcome

them home to Twickenham. A team of teachers, plumbers and vets and no

world champions. I cannot believe it. We have worked so hard for

this. To think we have actually done it is just bizarre and it will take

a couple of days to settle in. Fantastic. All those years ago

playing rugby in Yeovil, could you imagine this? Not at all. I think I

was cheekily saying to my grand dad that I would do it, but now to

actually say yes, I am a world champion, it is just sensational.

England's success ended a 20 year wait to be world champions. It was

Danielle Waterman who provided the platform of the platform with a

first`half try. A winner's medal the crowning moment for me rugby career

that started in West Somerset. 25 years ago, I started playing in

Minehead. They raised money to pay for my boots that have taken me food

to be a World Cup finalist and winner. She was the sun. She was a

very small girl but she could tackle the bigger boys and was very good.

Quite a feather in the cap to have a player play for England and to have

a World Cup medal. Bristol vet Sophie hemming was a saving victory

after being on the losing side for years ago. Maybe if we had won four

years ago, would I be here now? I do not know. Ultimately, I wanted to

win the World Cup. To do that was such an incredible group of players,

we are so close on and off the pitch, and to go through the journey

we have had, to have done this... Yes, it is great. These players will

now return to their day jobs. Most of them had taken on unpaid leave to

play in the World Cup. The success it Insua rugby at tracks new fans,

and crucially, sponsors. Joining us is the chairperson of Bristol Rugby,

Ann Bury Hughes. `` and a player for Bristol Rugby. We were watching on

the sofa last night. You're pretty into it, Welsh? It was amazing. The

standard of rugby that was played was great. Canada kept England very

well contained. The strength that that team has and the strength of

breakdowns was incredible. It was nail`biting. How do you think they

are feeling today? It is huge for them. It is absolutely huge. I think

they will be `` there will be a real mixture of feeling. Trying to get a

doll into perspective, really. Coming home today and being met as

per what they were at Twickenham. Watching that, playing with these

players, how was that for you? Did you have faith in them? All the way.

I was playing at Twickenham myself yesterday at the World Cup sevens in

the women's Premiership select side. I had to record it and watch

it. At seeing my friends there, it made me so proud. That moment from

Danielle Waterman, that was huge. It was a Bristol girl. It was a turning

point as well. Up until that point, in terms of the points and just the

skill that was showing, from one side of the pitch and the hand that

went through the absolute precision, to get in at the corner

and go from one side the other... As we mentioned, now there is the

search for sponsors and more recognition for the women's game.

Will this, no? `` will this, no? I think so. With it being televised,

there has been more exposure. Now it is out there and everyone can see

and hopefully it will attract some big names.

He's been associated with Bristol Rovers for 30 years,

but today Geoff Dunford has resigned as director of the club.

Mr Dunford has taken the decision for personal reasons.

Rovers were relegated from the Football League in May and are yet

to win a Conference game after their first three matches of the season.

The Dunford name has long been associated with Bristol Rovers

ever since Geoff and his dad Denis took over the club in the ?80s.

Having made their money through Dunford's

Dairies, they saved the club by moving it out of the city from

The highlight of their ten`year stay there being promotion to what

is now the Championship after beating rivals Bristol City 3`0.

The club were just tenants then as Bristol Rugby owned the ground.

But an agreement between the two saw the landlord/tenant situation

reversed when the rugby club got into financial difficulties.

So while off`field matters improved, promotion in 2007 was followed

by two relegations and the loss of their Football League status in May.

And following a second defeat in three games, Geoff Dunford

In a statement, he said he'd been under pressure from

his family to step down for a while and did try to resign in February.

He went on to say that over the last two years, his input had been mostly

financial and he hoped the board could find someone to replace him.

's it is a big disappointment to me because I have known him for a long

time. It is a big shock. `` it is a big. For all he has done for the

club, for him to leave now, it is a big shame.

And will no doubt raise more questions over the future

Gloucester Docks has been converted into a Disney film set today for

Five tall ships have arrived over the past week

for Tim Burton's new film, Alice Through The Looking Glass.

The film stars Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.

Jules Hyam has been to see if he could catch a glimpse

There is something in the air. The hint of a voyage, maybe a journey of

discovery. A world of furious imaginings that were all dreamt up a

very long time ago. `` curious. This is Gloucester Docks, but we dressed,

recast to reflect the world of Tim Burton's take on Lewis Carroll. Of

course, it is all suggestion, just smoke and mirrors. But fascinating.

Even this set draw something of a code. It seems that everybody here

has got a camera. If you listen very carefully, you could hear people

whispering the name, Johnny Depp. Whispering, maybe, but I am not sure

anyone has actually seen him yet. How many stars have you seen? None.

Have seen some extras. Lots of pilots, as the kids say! It is quite

interesting and good for the docks. You would see very much. `` will

not. You can see what we see from here if we spend the camera around.

Where is Johnny Depp? Actually, it does not matter that he is here or

not. Disney and a big production is. That is big business for a city

promoting itself. You have the cathedral here, and Harry Potter

film there. Around the docks, there are amazing unspoiled areas and that

is what makes filming so useful. It helps to reduce the costs of

filming. If you go to an area where there are no satellite issues or

aerials, none of the modern things that make production much harder, it

makes it so much easier and cheaper for them as well and that is the

Bottom Line. The better the Bottom Line, the more the movie makers want

to sprinkle a little bit of stardust around. Fun. It looks great, doesn't

it? I am not surprised that attracted the crowds. Let's get the

weather now. How is it looking? Quite chilly, as we head through the

rest of the week. It is worth noting as we head into tomorrow, not

expecting any where in southern England to reach 20 Celsius. The

first time that has happened since the 4th of June, which shows how

warm the summer has been above`average and how, equally,

things will be cooler than the rest of this week. It feels rather cool

at the moment. Let's look at the graphics as we head into tomorrow.

It will be a day of bright and sunny spells and showers as well for some,

at least. They could be quite heavy, I suspect, in places. We take

a look at the wider picture. We have had a few showers, in a few areas.

They are feeding to the south`east and after a largely dry night,

getting into tomorrow, we have this north`westerly flow. That will run

down some showers from time to time. The rest of this evening, then.

Heaviest showers have been in the Cotswolds. They are fading away into

the south`east. As we head into tonight, many districts,

particularly for the East, will remain dry. But you can see some

showers, particularly in Western Somerset. By daybreak tomorrow, many

areas will be dry or thereabouts. It will be a cool start. Temperatures

in Exeter down to about seven Celsius last night. We will match

that in parts of the countryside. In urban areas, 9`10?C. But it will

feel quite chilly at this time of year. As the day wears on, some

quite lengthy dry interludes. But equally, the possibility of showers

as well. There will be areas where you miss the showers entirely. That

cannot be guaranteed, but inside those areas, there could be showers

at stages in the afternoon. They could be heavy at times. It will be

moderately dead easy. Nothing more than that. The pollen count will be

moderates. Temperatures are moderate as well. 16`17 Celsius is typical.

Perhaps 18 or so when one or two spots. But it will be noticeably

cool, particularly in the sunshine. That remains the same through the

course of this week. Dry on Wednesday, but I suspect showers

will return Thursday and Friday. Where is our lovely summer? He has a

summer cold, so I presume summer is still here. OK... Just as well we

have to leave you now! We're back for the Ten O'Clock News. But from

all of us now, goodbye.