Police warn over fake QR codes on parking machines

North Wales Police have sent out a warning after receiving more reports of fake QR codes being placed on car parking machines and electric vehicle charging points across Denbighshire and Conwy. 

They warn that the scam could also spread to other parts of North Wales.  

Officers say: "Criminals often place stickers with their fake QR codes on them over the genuine QR codes. This is known as ‘quishing’ and the criminal’s fake QR code will take you to a fake website that will steal your financial and personal information. 

"In addition to taking your money via the fake website, criminals will also capture your bank details and possibly other sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, or personally identifiable information (PII). That information can also be used for other purposes, such as identity theft, financial fraud, or ransomware."

Acting Detective Sergeant Roheryn Evans, from the North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team, said: “Criminals are always looking to exploit any means to trick people into providing their personal data, bank details or passwords. 

"As with all other cybercrime, consider who is asking you to click on a QR code and whether or not the originator is genuine. Never provide personal information unless it is a trusted source.”

Police advice when using QR codes:

·  Always check for tampered QR codes (stickers) before scanning. Some QR codes in open spaces (like stations and car parks) could be risky.

·  If in doubt, do not scan a code and use a search engine to find the official website or app for the organisation you need to make a payment to.

·  When scanning a QR code, use the QR-scanner built into your camera, or one that comes with your phone, as opposed to using a downloaded app from an app store.

·  If you receive an email with a QR code in it, and you're asked to scan it, you should exercise caution as police are seeing an increase in these types of 'quishing' attacks.

·  You should always check your bank accounts regularly and report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.

Update on yesterday's aqueduct incident

North Wales Police have issued an update on yesterday's incident which saw roads around the aqueduct closed for some hours. 

It says:

"Shortly before 10.40am yesterday, Thursday, August 22nd, we were called to a report of a body in the water in the Froncysyllte area of Wrexham.

Officers attended, alongside colleagues from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust. The body of a man was located and, sadly, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Formal identification is yet to take place.

The death is not being treated as suspicious, and the Coroner has been informed."

ITV Wales highlights battle to save town's public toilets

* Dr Rhys Davies is interviewed by Joanne Gallacher from ITV Wales.

The fight to save Llangollen's under-threat public toilets will be highlighted on national television this evening (Friday).

A film crew from ITV Wales were in town over lunchtime to record interviews with two local people prominent in the battle to prevent Denbighshire County Council from getting rid of the Market Street loos.

In a bid to balance its budget the council aims to shed all the public conveniences it runs and offer local town and community councils the chance to take them over.

But Llangollen Town Council has already come out against a take-over on the grounds that it would be beyond its financial means and lead to a big increase in the amount it draws from council tax.

The county council has pointed out that it has no legal duty to provide public toilets.

But respected former GP Dr Rhys Davies, who was first to be filmed by the TV crew, stressed that it certainly had a moral duty to do so. 

He also pointed out the public health problems which would be created if visitors to the town found there were no toilets available.

* Town councillor Scott L Felton is filmed for his interview.

Also appearing on camera was town councillor Scott L Felton who branded the loss of the toilets as a "disaster", adding that the county council was failing to listen to the people of Llangollen who voiced their opposition to the move at a packed public meeting earlier this month.

Despite numerous invitations, no representatives from the county council attended that meeting.

The film crew later went out and about in the town speaking to residents, businesses owners and visitors about the potential loss of the toilets, many of whom agreed that it would do great harm to Llangollen.

* The item is due to be screened on the ITV Wales evening news at 6pm tonight.        

Panto group looks forward to its next big show

Llangollen Panto Group has issued an update on its next show while also looking back at its last smash-hit show.

It says: "Exciting times for Llangollen’s Panto Group, following on from our summer holiday workshops, we have our auditions for Beauty and the Beast on Sunday 1st September at 2pm at St Collen's Community Hall. 

"After the amazing success of this years panto Jack and the Beanstalk, which enabled us to make a donation of £1500 to Nightingale House, something we’re very proud of and couldn’t have a a done with out you, the Llangollen community, your support was, as ever the best, thank you. 

"We’re thrilled to have so many people wanting to join us and have been inundated with requests to be in the show or to get involved behind the scenes too.

"It’s not too late if you would like to get involved, whether auditioning for one of our hilarious characters or behind the scenes please message us and let us know before the 1st September."

Police issue warning about this morning's high winds

Police have put out a warning about the high winds currently affecting the region due to Storm Lilian.

On their Facebook page North Wales Police have posted: "We're receiving numerous reports of fallen trees and branches on roads due to high winds - we advice you to take extra care on your journey today. We've made highways departments aware and they will be dealing as soon as they are able to."

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for this morning, which says: "Started at: 05:00 BST on Fri 23 August.

"Ends: 11:00 BST on Fri 23 August

Storm Lilian will bring strong winds, which may lead to disruption to travel and infrastructure on Friday morning."

Completion date for Four Great Highways scheme is now late September

* The Wharf steps where limited progress has been made.

The completion date for Llangollen’s Four Great Highways scheme has now been moved back by another month, which means it is now three months behind schedule.

Earlier this week llanblogger reported that there had been little progress made on certain aspects of the project, which was funded by the former Conservative government’s Levelling Up Fund and aims to “enhance the landscape and improve accessibility, interpretation and signage in the centre of Llangollen”.  

And we pointed out that there was less than a fortnight to go before the completion deadline of the end of August was reached – which itself had been moved back from June.

Today the project team revealed there’s been another change of plan and the scheme will not now be completed until the end of September.   

In an update they say: “As you may be aware the last update we provided advised that the project would be completed by the end of August 2024. 

“Unfortunately, despite the contractor working weekends to try and mitigate the time lost we are still running slightly behind due to a few issues in both areas - ground condition challenges at the Wharf and a slight re-design to the steps structure in Lower Dee Mill Park to accommodate the steel structure ramp. 

“In addition to this there is final landscaping works, which will be carried out in September 2024 as the correct time of year for certain planting. 

“Due to this delay, the planned completion date for the project is now end September 2024, however please be assured the contractor is working very hard to complete some aspects of the scheme sooner if and where possible. The signage and wayfinding aspect of the project will also be installed before the end of September 2024.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and disruption this may cause and appreciate your patience while the contractor works hard to complete this project for us.”

The first delay occurred when the scheme ran into unexpected ground conditions with its two key aspects - a raised walkway at Lower Dee Mill Park and the improvement of the flight of steps up from Abbey Road to the canal wharf.

An update from the team in early August said that because of a delay while steel supports were delivered the scheme would be finished by the end of this month.

But earlier this week while work at Lower Dee Mill Park appeared to be catching up well there seemed to have been little progress on the Wharf steps.

On Monday morning workmen were busy putting what looked to be the finishing touches to the park walkway but while large steels supports had  been installed at the top end and a mechanical digger was on site, there were few signs of any start being made on the wharf steps.

The project is part of a Levelling Up investment secured through a joint application between Denbighshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council for the old Clwyd South Constituency – Llangollen is now part of the new Clwyd East. 

The application was supported by former MP for the area Simon Baynes and £3.8 million was allocated to Denbighshire to invest in the communities of Llangollen, Llantysilio, Corwen and surrounding areas.  

Let councillor know if you've had missed waste collections

Llangollen county councillor Karen Edwards, who has been dealing with the many problems associated with the area's new household waste recycling scheme, wishes to know from residents if they have had any missed collections this week. 

She says that, if you have, you should contact her by email at: karen.edwards@denbighshire.gov.uk including in the email your full name, address with postcode and a telephone number.