 Trading Standards is warning the public to be on their guard for fake texts offering a Covid-19 vaccine in an attempt to steal bank details.
The text offers a link to what police call an “extremely convincing” fake NHS website.
Once on the website people are asked to input their bank details to register for a vaccine.
The scam message reads; ‘we have identified that you are eligible to apply for your vaccine’ and then prompts you to click on a link for further information or to ‘apply’ for the vaccine.
If you receive a text or email that asks you to click on a link or for you to provide information, such as your name, credit card or bank details, delete it immediately.
Remember, the NHS will never ask for your payment details.
We have also been made aware of other text scams such as:
- 'DVLA: We have identified that you have an outstanding vehicle tax refund from an overpayment" and asks you to follow a link to process the refund
- 'You have a pending tax refund £265.84 from HMRC. To progress your application please complete your form' and then provides a link for you to enter your bank details.
Always be wary of unsolicited texts or emails concerning money, and never give out your bank details until you have checked that you are giving them for a genuine reason to a legitimate person or business
 Millions of people aged 70 and over and those clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 will be invited to get their vaccinations from Monday (18 January) as the NHS begins roll out of the vaccines to the next 2 priority groups.
The NHS has so far been working to vaccinate the first 2 priority cohorts which are care home residents and staff, and those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.
Vaccinating the first 2 groups will remain the priority, but vaccination sites which have enough supply and capacity for vaccinating further people are allowed to offer vaccinations to the next 2 cohorts – those aged 70 and over and clinically extremely vulnerable people.
The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine. It's important not to contact the NHS for a vaccination before then.
Letters are being sent out every week – you might not get your letter straight away.
 Government guidance says that outdoor sports facilities should close and that people should only be going out to exercise once a day in a household bubble or with one other person and it shouldn’t be for recreational activities or socialising. Over the course of the Covid restrictions and lockdowns, we have continued to see large groups of people congregating at our skateparks in Barnstaple and Ilfracombe and at the pump track. Clearly this indicates that people are mixing with lots of other households in close proximity to each other, heightening the risk of transmission of the virus.
The local police have become so concerned about the sheer numbers of people at these facilities that they have asked us to close them. Many other councils have made the same decision.
Nobody is banned from skateboarding or riding their bike but it should be done with members of your household or one other person and in areas where you are unlikely to come into contact with other groups of people.
We understand why users are disappointed but it is important to point out that these restrictions are being put in place to save lives and avoid pressurising our local hospital. With 1 in 3 people asymptomatic, nobody knows if they are carrying the virus or not and so the safest thing is simply to stay away from other people not in your household bubble. We encourage people to get out and about on their skateboards and bikes but in safe, wide, open spaces (of which there are endless numbers of them in North Devon), away from other people other than those in their own bubble.
If you would like to report a problem with either skatepark or the pump track, you can report it to us online via the button below.
 Unlike the first national lockdown, the government are not sending out food parcels to the clinically vulnerable, in the first instance though, people are being asked to be self sufficient and seek help from family, friends and neighbours as resources are stretched and there is only capacity to support people with no other means of getting help.
Working alongside local community support organisation One Northern Devon and town and parish councils, NDC is helping to co-ordinate a range of services for those most in need. This includes:
- helping people to register on the government website
- help with grocery orders and deliveries
- collection and delivery of medication
- transport to medical and hospital appointments using local taxi firm Driving Miss Daisy
- financial support for those in serious hardship
- friendly ear phonecalls to ease social isolation
To help people access these services, there is a dedicated phoneline and webform and the council is urging people to ensure that their vulnerable and elderly friends and relatives are aware how to contact the team. The number to call is 01271 388280 and the online form is at my.northdevon.gov.uk/service/Request_for_assistance.
The council is also urging people to ensure they don’t leave requests until the last minute and to give them at least two working days’ notice because the service relies on volunteers and so cannot react any more quickly than that.
 For up to date information on cases across Devon, visit the Devon County Council Coronavirus dashboard:
If you are a, or know of a, veteran who is isolating or struggling and needs support, the Veterans Charity, based in Barnstaple, can assist with immediate needs for support for things such as:
- Food shopping
- Clothing
- Utility meter credit
- Mobile phone credit
Lifeline library services have recently reopened at Barnstaple Library. They are on offer by appointment only and customers will need to get in touch with them via phone/email in order to book. 01271 318780 or email barnstaple.library@librariesunlimited.org.uk
The lifeline library services are COVID secure and contactless. You're encouraged to book at a time when you’re leaving your home for other essential reasons such as collecting your shopping or taking exercise to avoid unnecessary trips out
 We’ve now received the guidance and funding from the government for the periods of 31 December - 4 January (Tier 3) and 5 January onwards (National Lockdown) and are working on the new application form which will cover both grants and will be paid in one payment.
 With the worst wave of coronavirus yet to hit the area, North Devon Council is teaming up with local police officers to step up enforcement of Covid-19 breaches.
The government is urging local authorities and police forces to use the powers available to crack down on those people who are not social distancing, travelling unnecessarily or continuing to run a business that should be closed.
The four strand approach involves
- acting on reports of breaches of regulations and virus outbreaks
- using intelligence to identify potential breaches such as the advertising of holiday lets
- inspections of high risk places such as supermarkets, offices and showrooms
- checks on temporary accommodation to ensure vulnerable people are being accommodated safely
The police will accompany council officers on inspections of holiday homes and extra NDC staff are being diverted into the authority's Covid enforcement team.
The council is also working closely with the Health and Safety Executive's Spot Check initiative and 340 local businesses have already been approached to check they are Covid-secure.
Avoid misinformation on Coronavirus - only follow advice from official, trusted sources.
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