Community Safety Strabane

22/12/2025

⚠️ Fraud Warning to Residents ⚠️

This time of year often attracts attempts by unscrupulous individuals trying to fraud people out of their hard-earned money.

Please stay alert:
* Never give out your banking details
* Do not click on links in unsolicited texts, emails, or messages
* No genuine company will ask for your bank details or request payment over the phone

If you are unsure or feel pressured, stop immediately and contact a family member or trusted person for advice.

👉 'If in doubt – check it out'.

Staying cautious can help protect you and your loved ones!

22/12/2025

URGENT COMMUNITY ALERT......

Ivan,

I have just had half an hour call with someone posing as an Amazon Fraud department represntative...

They had access to my Amazon account and had an address in USA that was placing orders for 2 iphones...

They knew everything that I had bought recently so clearly had hacked my account.

The aim was to gain access to my actual mobile phone which I gladly denied access to. They suggested downloading the app called Anydesk.

If I had done this then they had full access to all my bank details and I haeve seen cases that the bank accounts simply empty in front of your eyes when this access is granted...

True professionals and expert in what they are doing... maybe put out some sort of warning to the general public, and businesses... I very nearly fell for it!!

17/12/2025

⚠️ Public Fire Safety Warning, Please Take Heed ⚠️

Four fire-related deaths in Northern Ireland in just three days is staggering and deeply concerning.

Some of these tragic fires have been linked to the overloading of extension leads.

Please, please take this warning seriously:

Do not overload extension leads or multi-socket adaptors.

Do not leave electrical appliances plugged in overnight or when you are out.

Be especially cautious with occasional use items such as Christmas lights, which are not designed for hours of continuous use.

Always ensure the correct fuse rating is fitted for the appliance in use.

These are simple steps, but they save lives.

Christmas is about family, warmth and togetherness, please protect those you love by staying fire safe..

17/12/2025

Anyone heading Omagh direction please be advised.....

A road in Newtownstewart has been closed following a crash. Road users are advised the Beltany Road is closed due to a road traffic collision this morning. A PSNI spokesperson said: “Diversions are in place at the junctions with the Plumbridge Road and the Drumlega Road South. Please seek alternat...

13/12/2025

Be careful folks....

𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺 – 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲

Council would like to make the public aware of fake text messages claiming to be from the Department telling motorists to pay a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) via a weblink.

These messages are a scam. Official PCNs are never issued by text message. Please delete them and report them to: http://www.reportfraud.police.uk/reporting-a-fraud/

Scammers design these texts to look like they’re from a government department, so they can seem convincing. Please make sure any vulnerable family or friends know about this too.

For more info https://www.derrystrabane.com/services/parking-services

12/12/2025

The greatest Christmas gift any family could wish for is the health and wellbeing of their loved ones.

This Christmas, take a moment to look after yourself and those around you.

Don’t become a victim of, or indeed the perpetrator of, what is known as the Fatal Five:

It only takes one to ruin multiple lives, one of which will be yours!

• Speeding
• Drink or Drug Driving
• Careless Driving
• Not Wearing a Seatbelt
• Using a Mobile Phone While
Driving

Keep the spirit of Christmas alive… by staying alive.

Stay safe, look out for one another, and have a peaceful Christmas. 🎄✨

11/12/2025

⚠️ Christmas Safety Reminder
As we approach Christmas, darker evenings and the belief that households may have extra money can unfortunately attract the wrong kind of attention.

Please take a few simple steps to stay safe:

🔒 Keep your doors locked at all times.

🚪 Verify all callers before opening the door.

❌ If you’re not expecting anyone, don’t answer.

📞 Ask friends and family to let you know in advance when they’re calling, or to phone you when they arrive.

A little caution goes a long way in keeping you, your home, and your loved ones safe.

Please be cautious this Christmas. Stay safe.

10/12/2025

Check Your Smoke Alarms This Christmas..

Christmas is a season of candles, festive lights, new gadgets and electronics, all things that bring joy, but also increase the risk of fire in our homes.

Please take safety seriously.
Make sure your smoke alarms are working, keep candles well away from decorations, don’t overload sockets, and switch off lights at night.

A few simple checks can help keep you and your family safe this Christmas.

Stay safe, stay alert. 🎄🔥

09/12/2025

⚠️ Public Safety Announcement – Don’t Overload Plugs This Christmas ⚠️

As we all prepare for a bright and festive season, please remember that electrical safety is no holiday.

With extra lights, heaters, decorations and gadgets in use, it’s easy to overload plugs and extension leads without realising the danger.

🔥 Overloaded sockets can overheat and cause fires.

🔥 Using multiple high-powered devices on one extension lead is unsafe.

🔥 Cheap or damaged extension cables can fail suddenly.

This Christmas:
⭐ Don’t push your luck — play safe.

⭐ Plug high-powered appliances (kettles, heaters, hairdryers) directly into the wall.

⭐ Use only quality extension leads and never “daisy-chain” them together.

⭐ Check plugs, wires and sockets for damage before use.

⭐ Turn off decorations and lights when leaving the house or going to bed.

Let’s keep our homes safe for our families, neighbours and community this festive season.
Stay bright, stay safe, and have a wonderful Christmas. 🎄

09/12/2025

Stay Safe Folks....

Storm Bram warning upgrades across most of the island of Ireland Tuesday.

🟠Amber – Wind 🌪️
📍 Antrim, Fermanagh, Tyrone, Derry
⏰ 14:00 – 19:00

⸻

🟡 Yellow – Wind 🌬️
📍NI
⏰ 09:00 – 22:00

⸻

🟠 Status Orange – Wind 🌬️
📍 Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Wicklow, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford
⏰ 07:17 – 15:00

⸻

🟠 Status Orange – Wind🌬️
📍 Cavan, Monaghan, Clare, Dublin, Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, Offaly, Westmeath, Connacht
⏰ 11:00 – 19:00

⸻

🟠 Status Orange – Wind 🌬️
📍 Donegal
⏰ 14:00 – 21:00

⸻

🟡 Status Yellow – Wind 💨
📍ROI
⏰ 06:00 – 21:00

Full details - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w75qp79z7o

09/12/2025

🛑 Keep Your Home Safe This Christmas, Dispose of Disused Medication Responsibly 🛑

As we prepare for the Christmas season, we’re asking all residents to take a moment to make their homes safer for themselves, their families, and especially their children.

If you have any disused, out-of-date or leftover medication in your home, prescription or otherwise, please dispose of it safely. Having old medication lying around increases the risk of harm, accidental ingestion, and misuse.

Melmount Community Forum provides a RAPID Drug Disposal Bin where you can safely and discreetly dispose of unwanted or unused medication at any time. No questions asked, no details required.

By taking this simple step, you’re helping to:
✔️ Reduce accidental poisonings
✔️ Prevent misuse of medication
✔️ Protect young people and vulnerable residents
✔️ Keep our community safe over the festive period

Let’s all do our part to create safer, healthier homes this Christmas.
Clear it out. Drop it in. Keep your family safe.

Melmount Community Forum

03/12/2025

⚠️ Smishing & Online Scam Alert, Christmas Period ⚠️

As we move into the busy Christmas season, many residents in Strabane and Donegal will be turning to online shopping and parcel deliveries. Unfortunately, this is also the time when scammers increase their activity.

Please take a moment to read and share these important safety tips:

🎄 Be Alert to Smishing (Text Message Scams)
Scammers often send texts pretending to be delivery companies, banks, or retailers.

If you receive a message asking you to click a link, pay a fee, or update your details, STOP and think.

If it’s too good to be true, it is!

🛍️ Online Shopping Safety
Only buy from trusted websites and recognised retailers.

If you’re unsure, do not enter card or bank details.

Avoid deals that look suspiciously cheap or ask you to pay via unusual methods.

📦 Delivery Scams
Be cautious of texts about missed deliveries.

Go directly to the official website of your delivery provider, never through a link sent in a message.

💳 Payment Protection
If in doubt at all, do not give your card details.
Legitimate companies will never pressure you into quick payments.

🎁 Stay Safe & Look After Each Other

Please be vigilant, share this alert with family, neighbours and older residents who may be more vulnerable to scams.

If something doesn’t feel right, play safe!

Protect your money and your personal information this Christmas.