The South Glos Post

Fire crews attending a blaze at a storage shed in a remote location in Iron Acton called police after discovering an illicit alcohol still.

Officers were called in at about 7pm on Sunday 22nd August and found around 30 barrels of alcohol, bottles and bottling and labelling equipment.

Neighbourhood PC Ian Matthews said HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are investigating the incident.

He said: “It seems that vodka was being illegally made and bottled at this site. Tests will be carried out by HMRC to check the alcohol content, but indications suggest it would be seriously harmful to health if drunk.

“I would urge anyone who has bought ‘Chekov Imperial Vodka’ or ‘Chundoff Russian Vodka’ unusually cheaply to contact either police on 0845 456 7000 or HMRC on 0800 595000.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Social security fraud, including bogus claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit, costs the country billions of pounds each year.

South Gloucestershire is no different. The council is committed to identifying, investigating and preventing benefit fraud and has a zero tolerance approach to fraudulent claims. There are tight measures in force to crack down on housing and council tax benefit fraud.

Last year the council successfully took 96 fraudsters to court – a 30% increase on the previous year. All the claimants were found guilty of fraud, with 37 being prosecuted, 50 receiving cautions and another nine were fined.

During the year, South Gloucestershire Council’s fraud team identified benefit overpayments totalling some £418,000, of which £264,000 related to housing and council tax benefits paid to people who were not entitled to receive them.

Cllr Allan Higgs, executive member for corporate affairs, said: “The council takes all allegations of fraud very seriously and I would urge residents to inform us if they have worries that someone isn’t entitled in the confidence that we will investigate.

“With public funds being so limited it is essential that money goes to those who are entitled to help and we stop those who are committing fraud.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Police have arrested two men after hundreds of Virgin Media set-top boxes, smartcards and cloned cable modems were seized during a raid.

Officers worked with Virgin Media on the operation to stop the illegal modification of digital TV set-top boxes and cable modems, used for accessing broadband internet services.

Four addresses in Downend Road, Trinity Court, Dursley Road and Cross Street were searched on Friday April 9 and two men were arrested on suspicion of defrauding Virgin Media. They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries. Two other men are assisting police with their enquiries.

PC Colin Symington said: “This was a very successful operation and we are pleased to have been able to work in partnership with Virgin Media to target people illegally benefiting from the proceeds of crime.”

“People should be aware that if they are using set-top boxes that have been illegally modified to receive free channels or cloned cable modems they are committing a serious criminal offence. Anyone receiving channels that should be paid for is at risk of being prosecuted.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Police are appealing for witnesses and information after a woman was deceived by an offender claiming to have her missing dog.

The victim was walking in Church Lane, Hambrook on Wednesday 13th January 2010 at around 5pm. This was the last time the dog was seen.

The owner has since put up posters offering a reward and has made numerous enquiries to try and find the animal.

On Wednesday 20th January 2010 the victim received a phone call from a man who said he had the dog. Her husband arranged to meet this man at Curtis Lane, Stoke Gifford.

The man said to put the money in a bag and leave it at a gate and that the dog would be returned if they drove up the road afterwards. They followed the instructions and the money was taken but the dog was not left.

The female dog, called Millie is a Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen.

Anyone with any information on this incident or the whereabouts of the dog is asked to contact police in Staple Hill on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police would urge anyone who receives a call from someone claiming to have their pet to report it at their local station.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police