Recent official communications received by Cardinham Parish Council can be found for your information by following the links below:
The “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” Scam
Many people now know that the safest way to contact their bank is by calling 159. Unfortunately, scammers are adapting — and using this advice against you. Here’s how the “Hang Up and Call Your Bank” scam works
A criminal calls you pretending to be your bank and says things like: “Money is being taken from your account right now — we need your password to stop it”
You refuse (which is the correct action) and then they say: “That’s right — never share your password. Please hang up and call your bank immediately”
This sounds genuine — but it is part of the scam. What’s really happening:
The scammer is using social engineering to gain your trust and control what you do next. They know: You trust your bank. You’ve been told to call them yourself. You will feel reassured making the call yourself, They know you will immediately make that call.
Here’s the scam:
Even after you “hang up”: The scammer can keep the line open. You may even hear a fake dial or ring tone. When you dial 159 (or your banks phone number) you could still be connected to the scammer. A second scammer may answer pretending to be your bank. So although you think you’ve called your bank — you haven’t
How to stay safe
Safest option: Use a different phone to call your bank
(e.g. mobile instead of landline, or vice versa)
If you only have one phone: Hang up. Wait at least 30–60 seconds. Call a friend or family member first
This confirms the line is properly cleared
Then call 159
Warning signs
Be suspicious if the caller: Tries to shock or scare you. Pressures you to act quickly. Talks about money being at immediate risk. Asks you to move money to a “safe account”. Tells you to stay on the phone. Tries to stop you hanging up. Your bank will NEVER do these things
Key message
“HANG UP PROPERLY – THEN CALL SAFELY”
Remember 159 will never call you. You only use it when you dial it. It connects you safely to your bank
If you are the victim of Fraud or Cybercrime
Report online here: UK’s Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud – Report Fraud
Or call: 0300 123 2040
Final advice
Scammers rely on panic and urgency.
Take your time remain calm and stay in control
Emergency Closure – Mount Road
Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 S.14: Temporary Prohibition of Traffic
Location: Mount Road, Cardinham
Timing: 23rd March 2026 to 31st July 2026 (24 hours)
Reason for Emergency Closure: Closure due to collapsed cattle grid
Contact: Cormac Solutions Ltd – Tel: 0300 1234 222
The above closure has been approved and is now in progress.
Moor land voices – Landscape, Memory and Rural Traditions
Are you interested in sharing your stories of Bodmin Moor? For example, farming traditions (including use of the commons), memories of market days in local towns of Liskeard, Bodmin or Launceston, as well as childhood memories of visiting, or living on/near the Moor. We would love to hear from you.
The project is part of Cornwall National Landscape’s ‘Natural Beauty and the Beast’ initiative, which is about bringing people together to celebrate our shared heritage, support sustainable farming, create meaningful access to the landscape, and celebrates this wonderful landscape on our doorstep. As part of this project, we are inviting people to share their stories, traditions, memories and experiences of the moor. The aim is to explore the interactions between people and place, of communities living on and near to Bodmin Moor, and how each shapes the other. The stories will be recorded (voice only) and kept in the archive at Kresen Kernow for future generations.
If you are interested in taking part, or want more information please contact Dr Jo Buchanan. E-mail jobuchanan999@gmail.com or phone Cornwall National Landscape 01872 324239.
Quadbike and Trailer security advice
Community Awareness Notice-
This is just a heads-up, not to alarm anyone, but to keep everyone informed that quad bike and trailer thefts are still occurring across Devon and Cornwall.
If you’re involved in farming or land management, please take a moment to review your security measures and do what you can to protect your equipment and assets. A little extra vigilance can go a long way.
3 Top Tips to Protect Your Quad Bikes & Trailers:Secure & Store Smart!
Whenever possible, keep equipment locked away in a secure building. If left outside, use heavy-duty locks and park in well-lit, visible areas and covered by CCTV. Use Tracking & Marking!
Install GPS trackers and mark your equipment with identifiable information (like forensic marking or engraving). This can deter theft and help recovery. We can offer advice on this if you reply to this message requesting further information. Layer Your Security
Combine physical locks (wheel clamps, hitch locks) with CCTV, alarms, and even motion sensor lighting for stronger protection.
Please report any suspicious activity to police on 999 in an emergency, or 101 in a non-emergency.
Let’s look out for each other and help keep our rural communities safe.
Fly tipping
Fly tipping on public and private land spoils the beauty of the countryside in which we live, and is illegal.If you discover any fly tipping on public land in the Parish you can report it directly to Cornwall Council using the following link: Report Fly Tipping to Cornwall Council The Council will then be able to dispose of it quickly and safely. Fly tipping on private land should be reported to the landowner who is responsible for its removal.
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025
The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 has today received Royal Assent, making it law. It updates the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953. Comes into effect Wednesday 18th March 2026
The changes
The act:
- is worded so that attacking livestock is treated separately from worrying livestock. This reframing helps make the violent nature of livestock attacks much clearer. It doesn’t create a new offence as both behaviours are already covered in the 1953 act, but it does make the distinction explicit
- extends the law to cover livestock worrying and attacks that take place on roads and paths
- includes camelids (as llamas and alpacas are commonly farmed)
- introduces a new defence for dog owners to exempt them from liability where the dog was in the charge of another person at the time of the offence without the owner’s consent, for instance if the dog was stolen
- introduces new powers allowing a court to order an offender to pay expenses associated with seizing and detaining a dog
- provides a clear deterrent by increasing the penalty from a fine of up to £1,000 to an unlimited fine
In addition, the law gives police new and improved powers to improve their investigations, including:
- the power to seize and detain a dog where they have reasonable grounds to believe there is a risk that the dog could attack or worry livestock again. The dog can be detained until an investigation has been carried out or, if proceedings are brought for an offence, until those proceedings have been determined or withdrawn
- the power to take samples and impressions from a dog or livestock where the police have reasonable grounds to believe the dog has attacked or worried the livestock, and that a sample or impression might provide evidence of an offence. The sample or impression could then be used as evidence to support a prosecution
- the powers to enter and search premises to identify, seize and detain a dog for the prevention of future incidents, to collect samples or impressions, or seize any other evidence
- Police-and-Crime-Plan-2025-FINAL-print.pdf Page 15
- NFU statistics:
- £2.4M livestock killed or severely injured by dogs
- 2023 SW was the worst area in the county and in 2024 2nd in UK
- Attacks have increased by 30% with more unreported
- Since covid, dog ownership has risen dramatically
- Canine DNA trail: Canine DNA project to aid farmers and police in livestock attack investigations
- The Canine DNA Recovery Project.pdf
- D&C Police showed their heat map of the area to show the number of dog attacks. 50% reported are on Dartmoor. Bodmin Moor had a gap. This potentially indicates under reporting. Targeted approach to raising awareness for this area
- 2023 – 132 dog attacks in D&C
- 2024 – 141
- More near misses need to be reported to form hot spots
- Responsible dog ownership course (like speed awareness training) via Blue Cross 6007733658 – RDOC poster
- Targeting Devon schools around Dartmoor after 46 Ewes/Lambs were killed in one night by a pair of dogs to raise awareness and promote responsible dog ownership and calling out bad ownership if seen
Livestock worrying
Updates to legislation recently passed through Parliament mean owners found guilty of irresponsible dog ownership will face unlimited fines.
The updated Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act 2025 was passed on 18 December 2025, offering increased protection for sheep, cows and other farm animals when it comes into effect on 18 March 2026. The updates to legislation mean that alpacas and llamas are now recognised as livestock, and incidents occurring on roads and public paths will now be treated as offences, in addition to incidents occurring in fields or enclosures.
Livestock worrying is when a dog attacks, chases or causes stress to one or more farm animals. Chasing, biting, barking or stalking causes the animals to panic and, even without physical contact, they can experience severe suffering which can lead to injury, death or the abortion of unborn lambs.
Under the updated law, police officers will have wider powers to investigate and act on incidents of livestock worrying, including:
The ability to seize and detain dogs suspected of chasing, attacking or threatening livestock Entering premises under a warrant to collect potential evidence Take forensic samples from dogs (by collecting DNA or mouth impressions etc.)
A recent survey from the National Sheep Association found that almost 87% of sheep farmers experienced one or more dog attacks on their flock in 2024, and a report published by the National Farmers Union (NFU) estimated these incidents cost the industry almost £1.8 million.
Devon & Cornwall Police’s Livestock Lead, Rural Affairs Officer PC Jules Fry, said: “Many dog owners may not be aware of livestock worrying laws or may think their dog momentarily chasing farm animals is harmless, but these incidents can cause animals to experience extreme stress, which can lead to pregnancy loss, injuries and fatalities. The best way to protect both dogs and livestock is for owners to keep their dogs on a lead anywhere near livestock (or where livestock could be encountered). The only exception to this would be if you are chased by cattle; in which case, you should release your dog and move quickly and calmly away from the herd.” PC Julian Fry concluded, “The changes in the new bill will bring stronger powers which will allow us to thoroughly investigate incidents of livestock worrying and to take action against irresponsible owners whose dogs are proven to have caused harm to innocent animals.”
Police-and-Crime-Plan-2025
Link to full Pdf here Police-and-Crime-Plan-2025-FINAL-print.pdf