How do I...
If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
A recent incident in New Westminster has highlighted the need for the public to be diligent in safeguarding their personal information.
On October 22nd, 2012, the NWPD took a report from a citizen regarding the theft of her purse from her vehicle, which had been parked on the street in front of her residence. What made this incident unique was the fact that shortly after discovering the theft, the victim received a phone call from a blocked number. The male on the phone advised he was a police officer and stated that he had arrested the suspect who had stolen her purse. The male then told her he was transferring her to the security section of her bank, at which time a female came on the phone. The female then convinced the victim to reveal the PIN numbers for her bank cards so they could be “replaced.” NWPD members arrived on scene shortly thereafter and discovered the phone call was a scam.
This incident highlights several important issues of which police want to remind the public:
- Do not leave items of value in your vehicle and remove all possessions when parking, including shopping bags, spare change, electronics, brief cases, etc, all of which can be very tempting to thieves.
- Never reveal the PIN number to any of your debit or credit cards to anyone.
- Be extremely vigilant in revealing any personal information over the phone or internet to anyone. If you are unsure if you are talking with a police officer, request their name, badge number and a callback number so you can be sure it is legitimate.
