Over 5M Suspicious Emails Reported

Phishing remains the most successful attack vector for cyber criminals targeting individuals and businesses. 

Cyber criminals love phishing. Unfortunately, this is not a harmless riverbank pursuit. When criminals go phishing, you are the fish and the bait is usually contained in a scam email or text message. The criminal’s goal is to convince you to click on the links within their scam email or text message, or to give away sensitive information (such as bank details). These messages may look like the real thing but are malicious. Once clicked, you may be sent to a dodgy website which could download viruses onto your computer, or steal your passwords.

As of 30 April 2021, over 5.8 million emails were reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS). The tool, which was launched by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the City of London Police last April, allows the public to forward suspicious emails to an automated system that scans it for malicious links. Since its launch, over 43,000 scams and 84,000 malicious websites have been removed.

What are the most common phishing scams?

The most commonly spoofed organisation reported in phishing emails was TV Licensing, with victims of these emails reporting losses totalling £5.3m. The majority of losses occurred as a result of victims following malicious links in the emails and inputting their personal information into what they thought was the legitimate TV Licensing website. Shortly after, they would receive a call from criminals impersonating bank staff who was able to convince them that their bank accounts were compromised and persuaded them to transfer all of their money to a new ‘safe’ account. Some of the other most commonly impersonated organisations included HMRC and DVLA. We also received more than 40,000 suspicious email reports relating to COVID-19.

How you can protect yourself from phishing messages.

Fake emails and text messages can sometimes be difficult to spot and criminals are constantly getting better at finding ways to make them seem more authentic. Email address spoofing, for example, is just one of the tactics criminals will use to try and make their fake emails look real. Here are some tips you should follow to protect yourself, and others, from scam emails and text messages:

1: Be cautious of messages asking for your personal information. Official organisations, such as your bank, should never ask you for personal or financial information via email or text message. If you receive a message and you want to check that it’s legitimate, you can call the organisation directly using a known number, such as the one on a bank statement or utility bill.

2: Report suspicious emails. If you receive an email you’re not quite sure about, you should report it to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service (SERS) by forwarding the email to: report@phishing.gov.uk. Your reports will help government and law enforcement agencies to remove malicious emails and websites.

3: Report suspicious text messages. If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge and enables your mobile network provider to investigate the origin of the text and take action, if found to be malicious.

4: Report fraud. If you’ve lost money or provided personal information as a result of a phishing scam, notify your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud.

For more information on how to protect yourself from fraud and cyber crime, please visit: actionfraud.police.uk/cybercrime

Timetable for Bristol Road site investigations


As you may be aware, National Grid are currently carrying out some initial routine site investigation works on the former gasworks site on Bristol Road, Gloucester.

The site investigation works are looking for evidence of the former gas works. Once identified, the findings from these site investigation works will be used to inform a planning application National Grid anticipate submitting to Gloucester City Council in September/October 2021. This will be an application to carry out remediation work to clean up the land and remove materials associated with the site’s former use as a gasworks so the unused land can be put back into beneficial use. Local residents will have recently received a letter from National Grid setting out the process in more detail.

National Grid are working to the rough timetable below. The dates are subject to the timings of the planning application and are therefore subject to change.

Mid-May 2021

Site investigation and surveys (3 weeks duration on site)

June 2021

Progressing remediation design

September/October 2021

Submit planning application for the remediation works.

February/March/April 2022

Subject to consents, remediation work on site

Summer 2022

Completion of work on site

If you have any questions about this project, please call the Community Relations team between 9am and 6pm Mondayto Friday on 0800 1448 904 or email NGLPCommunityRelations@camargue.uk.

Milton Avenue works to commence this year

Works are likely to commence in Milton Avenue in the next few months.

Part of the plan involves using soil from the Homleigh Park project, which is located near to Podsmead, in the Grange ward.

Start times are dependent on when the main contract is awarded for the works, and of course other factors such as weather conditions and the contractor schedules.

Below is a brief summary from the council on what is proposed:

‘Tenders have been received for the works as part of the larger Holmleigh project and are being evaluated.

Part of the works will be to use the soil from Holmleigh to reduce the channel steepness off Woodpecker Road and provide a drain at the base of the infill. This will allow easier access for maintenance of that area in the long run.  

A short length of footpath is to be provided. The latest drawing is attached.  

These works will hopefully commence in the coming months.

The council are aiming to carry out a localised letter drop at the end of May/beginning of June informing residents of these works.

The wider site, including the wildflower seeding, bulb and tree planting will be undertaken in autumn/ winter of this year (in the appropriate planting seasons). This will include the reed forebay in the pond that will aid with pollution dispersion.’

As ever these plans are subject to revision. You can find out more about the ESIF projects here. Feedback and comments can be sent to urban.greening@gloucester.gov.uk, heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk or to me at sebastian.field@gloucester.gov.uk.

I am looking forward to working with the community to deliver this project for Podsmead.

Forthcoming events

There will be a return of the Not So Secret Book Club on Tuesday June 1st.

This will be on Robinswood Hill, and we are hopeful of another event in Podsmead before long.

There are events ongoing in the city such as the rabbit book trail.

And another event at Robinswood Hill.

There is a youth café in the Podsmead Big Local Hub on Saturday 5th June.

Longer range there is the Club at Tuffley Park’s 2nd birthday family fun day on Saturday 26th June.

If you want me to publicise your event on my channels please let me know the details and I will try to help.

Major resurfacing work on Bristol Road & A38 Southern Connector in July

Gloucestershire County Council is gearing up for some major resurfacing work in the south of the city during July. Over 3km of road is due to get a new surface on Bristol Road and the A38 Southern Connector, Gloucester.

Both schemes planned for the area will take place at the same time, aiming to reduce the amount of time major roads on the network are closed. The work will take place at night, with the roads reopening during the day, but it’s a good idea to plan your journey before you set off. A signed diversion suitable for all vehicles including HGVs will be in place.

Businesses known to operate overnight near the scheme have had an advance warning email giving planned details and dates of the work to help them organise deliveries around the closures. Residents in the area will also receive detailed information nearer the time, and all information will be available on the county council’s website.

Kath Haworth, head of highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said, “It’s important that we give everyone as much notice as possible of major road works to help them to plan ahead, for example we know some deliveries can take place outside of normal opening hours. We fully appreciate that any road closures are inconvenient but we need to resurface roads to ensure they’re safe and in the best condition they can be. This is also the best long term way of dealing with potholes.”

What’s the plan?

All work is overnight between 7pm to 7am. 

Bristol Road/Cole Avenue Junction will be closed between Thursday 8 July and Friday 23 July (excluding weekends) and Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.

A38 Southern Connector closed in sections between Tuesday 29 June and Friday 23 July (excluding weekends) and Saturday 24 July and Sunday 25 July.

The A38 Southern Connector sections are planned as follows:

Maps are available to help picture how this very large scheme will take place. The start and end dates are planned and could change, so keep an eye on our webpage or the signs on site for any short notice changes.

Businesses which need to get in touch with the team can email highways@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Follow Gloucestershire County Council’s highways teams on Twitter or Facebook to stay up to date with road works near you.

Free ‘30 Days Wild‘ family event


There are some spaces left for the next FREE Family event at Robinswood Hill, but the last 3 ‘sold out’ quickly so do book soon:

https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events

Please note it is only necessary to book for each child attending – adults do not need a space. This is to manage the number of packs created.

If you decide not to attend please cancel your place to allow another family to sign up.

The wall along Tuffley Park

Many residents will be aware that there is an application from the city council for planning permission to remove the wall along Tuffley Park.

They want to replace the wall with a 1.8M hoop-top fence.

I understand that this project will be paid for mostly from the insurance money and topped up with money from the open spaces fund. I have asked to see any options appraisal that was carried out to ascertain the cost of maintaining and repairing the wall.

Last year part of the wall was damaged when it was hit by a car. The council have been dealing with insurers since then, and I have been checking in frequently to see what progress is being made.

The wall is cracked in many places and is unsafe in the opinion of many.

I consulted residents in my ward last year on an informal basis, in letters, emails and on social media, to ask for views, and the majority came down on the side of removal of the wall. This week after the application was made, I have again posted on social media to make residents aware.

There has been a good debate, and there is clearly a lot of passion on both sides of the argument. Whilst I have my personal view, I also am elected to listen to all concerns from residents. I suspect that this issue will come to planning committee for determination, in view of the range of comments that will be received.

Letters have been sent by the council to all the affected houses on the Moreland side of the road, opposite the wall, and I have now asked for that letter to be sent to the affected houses in Podsmead too.

I will also be continuing to consult and encourage residents to have their say, whatever their views. It will be a great help to me to have thoughts from local people on this subject. Please get in touch.


You can make comments on the application via https://glcstrplnng12.co.uk, searching for 21/00498/FUL (you will need to register if not already).


You can also contact Gloucester City Council via:

Email: heretohelp@gloucester.gov.uk

Post: Gloucester City Council, PO Box 3252, Gloucester, GL1 9FW

Phone: 01452 396 396

Some highways successes (and one ongoing problem!)

This week I have had a flurry of emails from the county council, advising me of repair works that will be carried out as a result of reports I have made.

These include patches in Byron Avenue, Newark Road and Shakespeare Avenue – all streets I have been campaigning on to get the pavements sorted.

Unfortunately Highways disagree with my assessment that the cul-de-sac at Milton Avenue needs a resurface. They have issued a ‘no fault found’ verdict.

I will continue to monitor this road surface and the others in need of repair. If you believe your road needs attention please get in touch.