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Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents Association (S.A.G.E.)

Welcome to our website

A residents association uniting the two villages of Sandyford and Goldenhill since 1999

An organisation that aims to improve the environment and lifestyle for all its residents who live in our community

Click here to report any antisocial behaviour

Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers

Booking.com users targeted with scam messages

Action Fraud have reported that those using the platform Booking.com to book their holidays or accommodation are being warned they could be targeted with emails or messages requesting payments from hotels who have had their account taken over by fraudsters. Between June 2023 and September 2024, Action Fraud received 532 reports from individuals, with a total of £370,000 lost.

Insight from Action Fraud reports suggests the individuals were defrauded after receiving unexpected messages and emails from a Booking.com account belonging to a hotel they had a reservation with, which had been taken over by a criminal. Using this account, the criminals send in-app messages, emails, and WhatsApp messages to customers, deceiving them into making payment and/or requesting credit card details.

The specific account takeovers are likely to be the result of a targeted phishing attack against the hotel or accommodation provider, and not Booking.com’s backend system or infrastructure.

Adam Mercer, Deputy Head of Action Fraud, said:

“With more than 500 reports made to Action Fraud, those who have booked a holiday on the Booking.com platform should stay alert to any unexpected emails or messages from a hotel using the Booking.com platform, as their account could have been taken over by a criminal. 

“If you receive an unexpected request from a hotel’s account you booked with using Booking.com, asking for bank details or credit card details, it could be a fraudster trying to trick you into parting ways with your money. Contact Booking.com or the organisation directly if you’re unsure.

“Remember to report any suspicious emails by forwarding it to report@phishing.gov.uk, or if you receive a fraudulent text message, you can forward it to 7726.”

How can you protect yourself?

Booking.com and Action Fraud are providing the following advice on how to spot signs of fraud and protect your Booking.com account: No legitimate Booking.com transaction will ever require a customer to provide their credit card details by phone, email, or text message (including WhatsApp).

  • Sometimes a hotel provider will manage their own payment and may reach out to request payment information, like credit card details – before providing any information, always verify the authenticity of communication between yourself and the hotel’s account.

If you receive any urgent payment requests that require immediate attention, like a booking cancellation, immediately reach out to the Booking.com Customer Service team via the details on the official Booking.com website and/or app to confirm.

  • Any payment requests that do not match the information in the original booking confirmation should also be double checked and confirmed with Booking.com Customer Service before proceeding. 

Any messages purporting to be from Booking.com that contain instructions to follow links and/or open/download files should be treated with caution.

  • If you have any doubts about a message, contact Booking.com directly. Don’t use the numbers or address in the suspicious message and use the details from their official website.

For more information about how to protect your Booking.com account, please visit: Safety Tips for Travellers | Booking.com

If you receive any suspicious emails or text messages, report them by forwarding emails to: report@phishing.gov.uk, or texts to 7726.

Find out how to protect yourself from fraud: https://stopthinkfraud.campaign.gov.uk

If you’ve lost money or provided financial information as a result of any phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud at  https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Message to Brindley Village & Reginald Mitchell Way Residents

Residents from Brindley Village & Reginald Mitchell Way are reminded where possible to attend the next Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association Public Meeting this Thursday 16th January @ 7.30 p.m. Goldenhill Community Centre.

The residents association always delivers leaflets to all properties on both estates with an invitation to every public meeting, but unfortunately very few attendances are recorded.

Attending these meetings gives every resident the opportunity to meet e.g. the M.P. Leader of the City Council, police and Councillor Chandra Kanneganti, plus more influential people where you can ask questions you may need answering.

The residents association operates a Facebook page and website for all residents across the area, including Brindley Village & Reginald Mitchell Way, which we are aware is used extensively by residents on the two estates, so please support us as we support you by seeing you there this coming Thursday.

Sandyford & Goldenhill Public Meeting

Reminder for everyone to attend this Thursdays Public Meeting at Goldenhill Community Centre, 7.30 p.m. start.

For more information on who is attending, FREE Food & a FREE Prize Draw WATCH THE VIDEO.

Cold Weather Advice

As the cold weather continues across the county, Staffordshire Police advise the following. 

Make sure your windscreens are clear including wing mirrors and roof before setting off on your journey.

Allow extra braking time and maintain extra distance from vehicles in front of you.

Never leave your vehicle unattended whilst running the engine for opportunist’s to steal it. 

Allow extra time for your journey in these difficult weather conditions.   

Frozen Water Safety

Children are being warned to stay away from frozen water following reports of youngsters playing on ice in Stoke-on-Trent.

Witnesses have described children and adults as running or walking on frozen water. Police officers have attended to safeguard all those involved and speak to them about the risks involved with frozen water.

Thankfully, nobody has been hurt at the locations but Police and Fire Chiefs are warning of the dangers of going onto frozen bodies of water.

Frozen water safety tips:

Don’t wander too near to the edge, icy or wet conditions could cause you to slip and fall in.

Don’t be tempted to test the thickness of the ice; it’s easy to slip from the bank and fall through into the freezing water.

Make sure your children understand how dangerous it is to play on ice.

Adults should set a good example by staying off the ice themselves.

Dog owners should ensure they keep their pets on a lead so they are not at risk of falling in.

For more advice on how to stay safe around frozen water, visit: Frozen waters (staffordshirefire.gov.uk)

Important When “Defrosting Your Vehicle”

Staffordshire Police are reminding people not to leave their vehicles unattended while defrosting them following recent thefts in Stoke-on-Trent today.

Between 6am and 10am, when most people are defrosting their vehicles ahead of going to work or doing their first journey of the day, thieves are looking for easy opportunities and have been targeting vehicles left unattended.

Please don’t make it easy for opportunists during this latest cold weather snap, which is expected to continue into next week.

Make sure you stay with your vehicle at all times when it’s defrosting, or running. Also, keep your keys with you at all times.

To report a theft, call 101 or use Live Chat on our website.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

The police is urging all vehicle owners to be aware of the risk when defrosting. 

Sandyford & Goldenhill Public Meeting

The next Sandyford & Goldenhill Public Meeting is being held on Thursday 16th January. We have agreed the attendance of David Williams M.P. Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, Ward Councillor Chandra Kanneganti, Police & Dominic Gratty, Environmental Crime Manager.

Everyone is welcome to attend on the evening, and you will be able to enjoy free food as well as being entered into our FREE PRIZE DRAW! The public bar is also open where drinks can be purchased.

We look forward to seeing you there on the evening!

Happy New Year from Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association

Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association (SAGE) would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year for 2025.

A reminder that the next Sage Public General Meeting is on Thursday 16th January, 7.30 p.m. at Goldenhill Community Centre.

Attending on the evening will be David Williams M.P. Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner Ben Adams, Councillor Chanda Kanneganti, Council Environmental Crime manager & Police.

FREE PRIZE DRAW! Wickes £124 Karcher Power Washer & 2 x £30 Wickes Gift Cards, plus Brenden Fern & Goldenhill Londis donating 18 Bottles of Wine, 10 McDonald’s Meal Vouchers & 20 Boxes of Shortbread Biscuits.

On the evening there will be FREE food, and the public bar is open where drinks can be purchased.

Everyone is welcome, and we look forward to seeing you there in 2025.

Proud of your village or community?

Why not enter one of the longest running competitions in the country, focussed upon communities who value their surroundings, their fellow residents and the environment? 

The Best Kept Village and Community Competition for STAFFORDSHIRE in 2025, covers: 

  • Best Village and Community (small, large and overall winner) 
  • Community Spirit 
  • Plus a range of entries for artwork of all mediums (on a village theme) for adults and children alike 

Entries open (online) from 1st Mar 2025.     

Judging will take place around May-June, with an awards ceremony in September.

Pre launch briefings will be held in Jan 2025… in SIX locations around the Staffordshire county and an online session for those unavailable to physically attend.

Attend one of our briefing roadshows:

Tuesday 7th January 2025

2.30pm

Haregate Community Centre, Leek ST13 6DJ

Wednesday 8th January 2025

10.30am

Madeley Centre, Nr Newcastle CW3 9DN

Thursday 9th January 2025

11am

Haughton Village Hall, Nr Stafford ST18 9HB

Tuesday 14th January 2025

2.30pm

Bilbrook Village Hall, Nr Codsall WV8 1JL

Wednesday 15th January 2025

3pm

Whittington Village Hall, Nr Lichfield WV14 9LR

Thursday 16th January 2025

7.30pm

Bramshall & Loxley Parish Hall, Nr Uttoxeter ST14 5DE

Booking not required. You can attend any of the roadshows across the county.

For those that cannot come in person, you can attend online:

Monday 27th January 2025

1pm

email bkvc@staffordshire.foundation

M.P. Supports Residents Association to Reinstate Designated Police Officer

David Williams, Stoke on Trent North M.P. supports Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association, along with Councillor Chandra Kanneganti to reinstate a named police officer since the last one was transferred out of the area earlier in the year.

Staffordshire police say there are a number of police officers who operate across the north of the city, and cover the Sandyford & Goldenhill area, which the residents association accepts, but when as a residents group for the first time in over 25 years are unable to invite a P.C. to its public meetings seems to be a step backwards by the force. The association is also unable to send out its meeting minutes to a police constable, and as in previous years a nominated P.C. has an interest in the area, and if and when they are able to do so, they would visit hot spot areas to give advice and support to businesses to deal with e.g. antisocial behaviour.

Staffordshire Police also say that a new Police Sergeant has been introduced within the team to help address any concerns of support, although this may appear as additional support to the area, but unfortunately the residents association has always had support from its Sergeants for over a quarter of a century.

It is unfortunate that within months of a good working relationship, especially when Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association has supported the police for more than 25 years through its Community Speedwatch project, and reporting articles of advice and criminal activity through its social media sites that such a small request has been overlooked by a force when neighbourhood policing should be at a forefront as indicated by the Prime Minister.