Crime & Safety
TSB warns over fake police scam targeting UK pensioners
The bank says older people are increasingly being targeted by criminals, with some victims manipulated for months before losing huge sums of money.
In one shocking case, a customer in their 80s was told by a fraudster pretending to be from their bank that their account was at risk. They were instructed to post their bank card and PIN to a London address “for security reasons”.
Once the fraudsters received the package, they drained £5,750 through cash withdrawals and card spending.
Another pensioner was conned by a fake police officer who claimed their bank account had been compromised. The scammer even arrived at the victim’s home wearing what appeared to be a police badge.
Believing the warning was genuine, the victim handed over their card and PIN -allowing crooks to spend nearly £8,500 in shops and tech stores.
TSB says courier fraud gangs use fear, urgency and trust to manipulate vulnerable victims into surrendering cards, cash and valuables either through the post or by handing them directly to couriers at their doorstep.
The bank has seen a sharp rise in high-value losses linked to courier fraud, particularly cases involving more than £5,000.
George Hulland, from TSB’s fraud prevention team, said the scams are “highly traumatic” and often involve criminals making repeated contact and even visiting victims in person.
He warned: “Neither a bank nor the police will ever ask you to post or hand over your card or cash. If anyone asks you to do this, it is a scam.”
City of London Police also urged the public to stay alert and independently contact their bank or police if something feels suspicious.
Experts say families should regularly check in with elderly relatives and remind them never to share PINs, cards or cash with anyone claiming to be from a trusted organisation.
Crime & Safety
P.Louise comes to Boots this month – how to get new products
From May 29, beauty fans will be able to shop the cult-favourite makeup brand in 36 Boots stores across the UK and online, marking the first time P.Louise products have ever been available on the high street.
Founded by makeup artist and social media sensation Paige Louise Williams, P.Louise has become one of the UK’s biggest beauty success stories thanks to its bold aesthetic, sell-out launches and record-breaking TikTok Shop LIVE events.
And Boots isn’t holding back for the launch.
The retailer is rolling out a series of “first-ever” experiences, including a fully branded pink castle storefront at its Covent Garden location, immersive shop-in-shop spaces and even a sparkly P.Louise articulated lorry travelling across the UK.
In another first for Boots, Paige and the P.Louise team will personally train Boots Beauty Specialists ahead of launch day, giving staff insider knowledge on products, techniques and application tips.
The range launching at Boots includes more than 200 products across makeup and skincare, featuring fan favourites like Rumour Base, Cheek of It Liquid Blush and Spoilt for Choice Cream Bronzer.
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Boots will also stock six exclusive products created especially for the retailer, including the P.Louise x Boots Bad B*tch Crystal Energy Lip Duo, The Brow Balm and The Sky’s The Limit Drinking Cup.
For online shoppers, the full collection will be available on Boots.com, with selected products also available for rapid delivery through Uber Eats from 31 stores nationwide.
Speaking about the launch, Paige said she had previously turned down retail opportunities because she wanted something “bigger and better” for the P.Louise community.
She said: “Together with Boots we’ve been able to build something that feels nothing like traditional retail – with masterclasses and immersive shop-in-shop spaces.”
Customers can also sign up to a waitlist now for early access and the chance to win prizes, including the opportunity to meet Paige in person.
The launch marks another major move in Boots’ beauty expansion, with the retailer continuing to invest heavily in viral and trending beauty brands across the UK.
Crime & Safety
Waitrose supermarkets across UK shut due to ‘critical error’
Supermarket bosses have not opened branches across the country due to a national issue with ‘electronic systems’, understood to be the tills.
Branches affected in Oxfordshire, which were due to open at 7am, include in Abingdon, Wallingford, Oxford and Wheatley.
“Every branch is affected”, a source at the supermarket said. “They have started to do some work to fix it, but we can’t guarantee when the shop will open.
“There has been a critical error with the systems that is being fixed as we speak.”
Waitrose has been approached for further comment.
Crime & Safety
Major bakery chain set to open in Oxfordshire this month
Cornish Bakery, which started in Mevagissey, Cornwall, is to open its first store in this county in Witney.
The company plans to take over 11 Market Square, which was formerly a Shoe Zone, on the same street as Coffee #1, Gails, and another independent cafe.
The chain announced in February it would be opening seven new stores at the start of the year including its first ever shop in Wales.
It confirmed each new bakery will feature a completely bespoke design philosophy, with unique colours, textures and architectural features, all carefully tailored to the building it occupies, the heritage of the surrounding place and its local community, all a hallmark of what Cornish Bakery brings to each new opening.
The bakery new stores are part of a launch of their ‘RISE by Cornish Bakery’.
This launch marked a turning point away from their traditional coffee and bakery offerings to include additional small plates designed for brunch, lunch, and early evening dining.
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The bakeries first store in Cornwall (Image: Google Maps)
Stores in Newbury, across the county border in Berkshire, and Lincoln opened in March.
Meanwhile its largest store yet in Betws-y-Coed and its first in Wales opened last month.
A significant total of £3.5m will be invested across the new locations, alongside a further £500,000 dedicated to refurbishing four existing bakeries in West Bay, Lyme Regis, Ambleside, and Bourton-on-the-Water.
Managing director, Mat Finch, confirmed the business will be planning more this year as well as significant refurbishments of their existing bakeries.
The chain was set to take over the Pret A Manger shop close to Carfax in Oxford, but announced in January this was no longer the plan.
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