They told you in person?

Mastifflover,
My daughters car gets broken into all the time does not matter what precautions she takes. They have removed the locks out of the doors, Boot. She gets sick of it. She is the community midwife. She has had to take the stickers out of the car saying "midwife on call"
She has down graded her car not to get noticed. She also, when she is called out in the middle of the night now takes her very large akita with her. But! it becomes a problem if she then has to take the patient to hospital.

Denese

Wouldn't be simpler to just move?

tooolz,
If you own your own home you would know that was not quite viable! As I said she is the community midwife she works from the local hospital. She always lives in a select area in the west midlands. Have you any idea what a sister midwife gets paid! On call all night!!
she gets £10.00 She works for the NHS not private sector.

Denese

toolz... you might want to catch up on where the UK housing market is at right now.. 'just moving' is pretty much the hardest option out there!

Hi Isabel,

Just a matter of intrest have you heard of the "post code bounders?" it is in most big cities!
Factual!! now!! in year 2008! Were if you cross into some one eles post code you are dealt with by! being beaten up, knifed,or shot.
In England this is happening now! I think it also happens in America?
Rival gangs!!

Denese

No, I haven't heard of that one :-)

> she gets £10.00

That's just a call out fee though as a team leader (sister) she will be on over 30K, before enhancements won't she?

>I did not recieve an email???????????

There's been an email circulating the globe using that same wording for four years! If this happened to 'your friend' why did she take so long to warn you about it?

>Just a matter of intrest have you heard of the "post code bounders?"

Even Google hasn't heard of 'postcode bounders'!

>Were if you cross into some one eles post code you are dealt with by! being beaten up, knifed,or shot.

I'd love to read the evidence for that. People cross postcode boundaries every day - even a small village will have several postcodes - and nobody gets attacked for it.

Jeangenie,
This is why you are so naive. I can not put a lot of information on the web! and you should know why!!
To have a slight insite read Ross Kemps book, I think it in paper back in Asda.
It happens only 3 miles + away from where I live.

Denese

Isabel,
NO! she doesn't get 30K a year this is where people get it wrong, she would if she worked in the private sector, that were all the midwifes are going. That is why there is a great shortage of midwifes in the NHS.
But! we are a family with very strong values, we do suport the NHS it was the best thing in the 1940's that this country did.

Denese

> you might want to catch up on where the UK housing market is at right now.. 'just moving' is pretty much the hardest option out there!

It would appear that the OP has been suffering these problems in her area for quite some time now..all through a very buoyant housing market. It seems he/she has lived there since 8 years old.
If ones life and that of their children's is so awful living in that area, I personally can't understand why they haven't moved?

>she doesn't get 30K a year this is where people get it wrong

So where does the £10 you quoted come from? Nobody gets paid only £10 a year ...

>This is why you are so naive.

I think not.;)

>I can not put a lot of information on the web!

I trust police websites - even tabloid newspapers' websites will mention people getting knifed for crossing a postcode boundary ... if it had ever been verified, that is!

Jeangenie.
I have so much going on, I do listern but! don't alway take things on board. But! having 4 daughters a son and a grandaughter that drives I always  make them aware. I also thought if it stops one of you on champ. dogs getting hurt or carjaked, it was worth telling you. Even though some of you here get very dismisive about things.

Denese 

TBH Denese I'd have been long gone from such an awful area - if there's such a shortage of specific employment there but the NHS is crying out for those very folks, why have there not been a multitude of opportunities to do just that?  (although maybe I'm morphing a couple of different posters here - apologies if I am, rather tired today and harassed :) )

No matter how idyllic a location any of us may know or reside in there's usually somewhere not too far off that falls very short of being a pretty, peaceful and safe haven.  With that in mind there's every probability that while some areas in and around any major cities may be living hell, there are bound to be many more which are wonderful - so not really necessary surely to write off such a large part of the midlands really (or anywhere) IMO.

regards, Teri

> I also thought if it stops one of you on champ. dogs getting hurt or carjaked, it was worth telling you. Even though some of you here get very dismisive about things

Hi again denese

FWIW I think most of us (certainly me anyway!) understand why you posted this and appreciate the meaning behind it :)  I also think however that not only can some things scare the living daylights out of already quite insecure/nervous folks but that the more often such scams (real or not) are mentioned on line, in emails, the press, any kind of wide ranging media, it could also give ideas to some of the pond life that we each accept has to live somewhere ......

> NO! she doesn't get 30K a year this is where people get it wrong, she would if she worked in the private sector, that were all the midwifes are going. That is why there is a great shortage of midwifes in the NHS.

The Band 7 NHS midwife (team leader) pay scale starts around £30K and rises to £38

>Have you any idea what a sister midwife gets paid! On call all night!! she gets £10.00

According to the Royal College of Midwives, a newly-qualified midwife's salary starts at £19,166.00 per year excluding payment for unsocial hours and on call rota.

as it was not a true story that happened to your friend
and you can positively prove this?

I would think supermarket carparks are one of the safest places these days as they are generally well covered by CCTV
really...safe because of cctv....thats laughable. With hoodies/balaclavas, and the simple fact images are very poor and very often not always monitored, it dosen't make all that much difference to a quick mugging and run. A place got broken in locally, all covered by cctv, they took thousands of pounds worth of vehicles on a low loader and driven, and waved at the cameras as they left! never to be detected....

Just a matter of intrest have you heard of the "post code bounders?" it is in most big cities!

Totally agree Denise, and its not just in big cities either, it happens in smaller market towns where 'certain' areas are 'ruled' by rival gangs. Also some of the bigger villages. Remember that boy near Liverpool who was shot that area had 'rival' gangs. On you tube it showed many rival gangs and their weapons, something that was dealt with by Police. yes, their are boundaries and yes it is happening now. We may not as a country be in a real dire position, but there are many held to their homes in fear, and fearful to speak out because they know what the reaction will be. Its so easy to say 'speak out' when you don't live like this, or are not aware this happens. The situation was like this in Birmingham many years ago, my grandad if he was still alive (he was just past 90 when he died of old age) would verify this.

Wow, i cant believe some of the comments.
Someones come on here with the best of intentions to warn people of a danger that could potentally face us all and some are point blank dismissing it.
Yes some are fortunate to live in areas where it is less common but i dont think anyone could say they it will never ever happen to them.
I for one am grateful to hear these stories whether they be true or not. It will not stop me going out but if i see a sticker on my window i will remember this topic and think twice. This goes for all the other stories we've heard too.
People say these stories are scaremongering and frightens people but...the police are always releasing facts and figures showing us of crime rates and statistics.

>the police are always releasing facts and figures showing us of crime rates and statistics.

Exactly; so why has no police force - not even in America - verified that this has ever happened? Without official verification it remains rumour and hearsay; and yes, scaremongering. If you want to live your life in fear, that's fine. I'd rather take sensible precautions and actually enjoy my life.

Jeangenie,
If you know so much! you would know what

Jeangenie,

If you know so much!! about what "A COMMUNITY MIDWIFE" she brings home you would KNOW it is not 30k a year!!

Denese

Jeangenie,

I have just come back shoping in Asda "Ross Kemps" (true) book "Gangs" is on sale, Read it then you will see.

Denese

> what "A COMMUNITY MIDWIFE" she brings home you would KNOW it is not 30k a year!!
>
>

You said your daughter was a midwifery sister not just a midwife.  This is what they call these days a team leader and they start on 30K.

> as it was not a true story that happened to your friend
> and you can positively prove this?

Read the "friends" account and then read the Snopes story in the link above :-)

I'd be very disappointed with myself if I drove past someone lying in the road and waited until I got home to phone someone about it. What if they've been a victim of a hit and run, or have fallen, or had a fit? I drive around through the night, often alone in a busy city. I never fail to stop and investigate people lying on the road, pavement, bus stop etc - sometimes they're homeless and that's where they're sleeping. Most often they're blind drunk, in which case I'll try and help them to their feet and prop them up against something. In a couple of cases they've needed ambulances, one diabetic coma and one old guy who fell and banged his head - people were carefully avoiding both of them. In the 7 years I've been doing my job nobody has ever leapt to their feet and assaulted me, or try to steal my vehicle! Yes, it's sensible to be vigilant but lets not get paranoid to the extent we lose our humanity and compassion for others.

Excellent post, Tigger2, and founded on real experience.

>If you know so much!! about what "A COMMUNITY MIDWIFE" she brings home you would KNOW it is not 30k a year!!

Again from the Royal College of Midwives - Community Midwife posts advertised with a starting salary of £28,313 rising to over £37,000 ...

If she's a midwifery sister (as you said previously) perhaps she needs to look around - here's a midwifery sister post paying £29,091 to £38,352 ...

>as it was not a true story that happened to your friend
>and you can positively prove this?

Type:

rear window paper carjack

in Google and read the results .....

Denese (or should I call you Cassandra? ;) )

It would appear that we share the same friends - I too received the warning regarding the new scam of hi-jacking cars in Tescos car park.....also the one regarding mobile phone masts......and the one about reversing my pin no if I am forced by a mugger to use my pin no at at cashpoint to alert the authorities who will send the law hot-footing it to me to rescue me and my plastic!   Also the one about the Neiwman Marcus Cookie receipe!

Might I suggest that when you receive one of these terrible warnings that you do what I do - Go to SEARCH on your computer, type in "SNOPES" - and then the heading of the email - or if you've not received an email, just the bare bones of the terrible tale you've been told - and lo and behold!! There it is, in black and white on the screen in front of you - the terrble thing that has happened to the friend of a friend of a friend - and guess what ......it's an urban myth!

You might not feel quite so worried about everything if you can see the wider perspective - and it might just stop your hard drive from burning out!!

Margot

Lokis Mom,

I find your comments a little affensive, As "MY FRIEND" was my DAUGHTER who works for Social Services. A very intellegent girl.
I have NEVER doubted any-one's Integrity on Champ. dogs, As I feel I have not got that rights to do so! as there may be adition information I do not know. As many of you seem to do.
I could say sometimes I get frustrated at the lack of knowledge of some people who make unnecessary comments.
I think a lot of you live with rose coloured glasses in "ideal World" Try coming to the inner cities.
This world is now full of drugs, teenagers sleeping in street door ways. 90% of babies in care are drug abused babies alcohol sindrome babies,
underfeed babies with brain damage, sexally abused. People waiting at cash points marking your coat with chalk when you have withdrawn money, so you are a target, this has happen to my husband. Mugging pensioners on pension days, now all pensions paid into a bank. Asbows, were teenagers are not allowed out after dark. Gangs that rule areas. You can not speak out or your family is at risk, these days they take your children and hold them. This has happened! Lets hope no-one finds out the hard way.
Not all incidents get into the press very few do!

Denese

Denese

>The sticker was put on the back window of the car in the Tesco car park

Are you saying this actually happened to your daughter or that she got a sticker about the story put on her car which she then passed on to you?
I'm sorry if our lack of knowledge frustrates you but you started this thread by saying this happened to your friend so perhaps we can be forgiven for getting confused.

I am totally confused.. I have been getting these e-mails for yonks.. and specifically the 1st one you mentioned in you opening post.. but that was over a year ago... and like 99% of sensible people.. I delete them... I had no idea this had actually happened to your daughter ... or did it.. it is rather confusing now..

I do not and would not put all my private family buisness over the net for the world to see. Or all my knowledge on certain issues. So forgive me for not doing so, only giving you some off the facts.
The one's that think is is all rubbish carry on beleving it, Best of Luck!! you will need it!!

Denese

> I do not and would not put all my private family buisness over the net

Nobody has asked you to put these stories that your family says it has suffered on the net.  You chose to so therefore it seems inappropriate to object when people question whether they are factual or just scarey stories.

> The one's that think is is all rubbish carry on beleving it

Due to the extraordinary similarities between your daughters account and the spoof emails that Snopes and other posters have seen I suspect they will.

>as there may be adition information I do not know. As many of you seem to do.

That's why we ask questions - to find out more. To do anything other would be just silly. So far all you've told us is what has been posted on the net for years and has never been verified, and is believed to be a hoax. What other information do you have that could prove that it did in fact happen? Without that it can only be dismissed as yet another repetition of the myth.

Please could you tell us where you heard about 'postcode bounders' - google has never heard the phrase; it's not on any police website.

Denese where on earth do you live? I drive round Edinburgh all night (from around 10pm to 5am). I drive to some of the worst parts of town - Muirhouse, Pilton, Greendykes, Craigmillar, Wester Hailes - all really rough places but I've never had any real hassle or not felt safe. I've used cashlines in these places, went into the shops, stopped to help people - and survived :-)

People do get murdered on occasion in these areas but without fail they're the same sort of person as the murderers, they don't just pick on innocent people walking through. Recently there was a story in the paper about a man in pilton that was stabbed and killed by 3 others while walking along the pavement - terrifying story until next day it came to light that he was a drug dealer that had done someone out of money. My point being that if you don't get involved in any of these dodgy dealings the world (even inner city areas) is really quite a safe place.

The worst that has happened to me is being spat on, it's happened 3 times and while it's really not pleasant it's hardly life threatening.

JG I believe Denese is refering to the "Postcode gangs" in London ..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6304345.stm

As Tigger2 has said though,it mainly affects those actualy involved in these activities or unfortunate teenagers that happen to be living there.I'm not sure what it has to do with car jacking?

>I'm not sure what it has to do with car jacking?

Nor me, which is why I wondered why denese mentioned it.

My father grew up in East London in the 1930's there were territorial gangs then so hardly new even if they didn't have a post code to refer to in those days :-).  He survived as do the vast majority of people that don't involve themselves.  I don't suppose it is any different now.

>My father grew up in East London in the 1930's there were territorial gangs then so hardly new

Exactly. There have always, back through the centuries, been gangs and gang areas in cities; the Bow Street Runners (East End again!) were set up in the 1750s to try to control them and the rampant crime level. Probably most famous recently were the Krays who had their 'patch'.

Denese

I'm sorry that you find my comments offensive - I certainly do not live up to the standard that you seem to think some of us live - for over 30 years I've lived beside one of the most deprived areas immediately outside London and in actual fact 28 years ago my husband was left brain damaged as a result of being beaten up by one of his youth club members but I've still worked on playschemes  and drop in youth centres, I worked as a volunteer on the preliminary Surestart programme, providing assistance/assurance to young unmarried mothers - often those about whom you are talking -  I do know what I'm talking about - and I certainly don't wear rose-tinted specs!

Yes, the world is sadly, still full of teenagers sleeping in street doorways and those thugs who think that they have every right to do exactly as they please - but if we all start acting as defensively as you would have us do, then they win.   We - and I mean the true, hardworking, plain speaking people - including pensioners (and I am now one!) - have to go right out into this world and show that we are not afraid - that we own the country - not the scum!

Please - do check with Snopes on the dreadful stories that you here - you will find that 95% are urban myths.

I don't know about the rest of you .... but I think that post from Lokis mum is an excellent way to wrap up this most depressing of threads.
The sun is shining and I feel in a positive mood.
Well said LM

Gosh I better end my life it's so awful here in the UK I'm likely to get mugged, killed, carjacked etc anyway.

Come on this country aint great but it isn't as bad as certain people on here are posting. 

A great number of emails start abroad, especially the US. The stories tend to evolve to fit the culture they cross into, for example, those started in America will be edited to change P.D. (police department) to police station, 911 to 999. The purpose of the emails is to see how far and how long they can perpetuate the story.  How better to keep a story alive than to weave in fear which people will feel obliged to pass on as warnings.  Passing the stories on, although, well-intended just plays into the hands of the authors. 

It would be naive to say that any of the instances would never happen, however, we have to keep things in perspective. If the instances mentioned were commonplace we would know about it from official (not fake official) sources.  The chalk on the shoulder instance I heard about long before cashpoint machines even existed.  The story then was that people paying their carparking ticket would be chalked and followed back to their cars and mugged of their goods.  Another example of how stories have evolved to fit in with current lifestyles.  I have to say, I have never seen anyone with chalk on their clothes (other than at playgroup) or heard of anyone that this has happened to.  What would be the point anyway?  Why put chalk on someone?  Why not just follow them? It doesn't make sense.

To put all these urban legends into perspective I would use the fact that 2 women are killed by their partners for every week of the year.  It doesn't stop us getting into relationships though.

Tigger2, you have been very lucky not to have a drunk turn on you, or a drug addict attack you, or someone with mental health problems attack you, or have your car stolen (this has even happened to police cars) and whilst you have been lucky so far I sincerely hope that one day you are not less fourtunate. A woman travelling alone at night and doing what you do is not good advice for others to follow, and would never be recommended by the Police. Dialing 999 and giving the people who are trained to cope and are in pairs with the correct equipment is the way to do things, to prevent risk to yourself. Drug addicts carry needles, have the chance to be HIV or have other skin complaints/liver disorders that you may put yourself at risk of, hense the medical teams/Police having the necessary equipment to deal together with required innoculations received to prevent some illnesses job related.

I would never fogive myself if my actions in attempting to deal with this sort of situation meant I contracted an illness or disease, or became crippled so that I was dependant on my family and gave them lifetime worry of my condition. or died and removed the chance for them of having me there for the good and bad times. I put my own family first, which does not mean I wouldn't do anything, as said 999 would be used, but I will never risk all for a possible drunk or druggie.