Please follow the link below to see a copy of a leaflet produced by Dorset Police in the event that a badger cull takes place in Dorset –
Badger Cull Information Leaflet Final Version September 2015
Author: Stourpaine Parish Council
Dorset Police – Attempted theft in Milton Abbas
Dorset Police have received a report of attempt theft to Farm in Milton Abbas, occurred sometime 30th August 1900hrs and 1st September 0800 hrs, the offenders have removed a lock from a grain store.
crime occurrence number 55150080689
any information please contact Dorset Police 101 or Crime stoppers 0800 555 111
Action Fraud – Parcel Mule Alert
People are being targeted to become “Parcel Mules” as part of a reshipping scam, which results in them handling stolen goods and losing out financially.
Victims are predominantly recruited through job advertisements and dating websites. They are persuaded to have items delivered to their addresses, and to pay for postage before sending the items elsewhere. Victims are contacted through Freelancer websites and invited to become a “Freight Forwarder” as an employment opportunity. The work is advertised as processing packages and forwarding them to clients.
The items being delivered have been purchased through fraudulent means, including the use of stolen/fraudulently obtained cards. The items being delivered are often pieces of electrical equipment or high value goods such as trainers, perfume and the latest phones.
If you act as a “mule” you are not only handling stolen goods, but also losing out financially. You will not get paid the promised salary and you pay for the postage and delivery of the packages personally. Additionally, you will have provided enough of your personal details to allow identity theft to occur.
How To Protect Yourself:
- Do not agree to receive packages at your address for someone that you do not know and trust.
- Be cautious of unsolicited job offers or opportunities to make easy money.
- When accepting a job offer, verify the company details provided to you and check whether they have been registered in the UK.
- Be wary of someone that you have met only online who asks you to send money or to receive items. Protect your privacy and do not give your personal details to someone that you do not know and trust.
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk.
Show Your Support and Help Secure Increased Police Funding for Dorset
Dear resident
I am writing to ask that you take part in a government consultation to highlight the imbalance in funding for rural police forces. Alongside the National Rural Crime Network, we are urging the government to reconsider how police forces are funded, and specifically to take account of the higher costs of policing rural areas.
Dorset has been hit with central government budget cuts of £14.8m since 2010, which is over 20% of the total money handed down from government. When taking inflation into account the 20% cut becomes a 30% cuts in real terms. This has impacted the number of officers and staff with 16% fewer officers policing Dorset since 2010 and 9% fewer staff supporting operational teams.
Officers in Dorset patrol 1,024 square miles with only 6.3% of the county being classified as ‘urban’. Rural crime is very different to criminal activities that take place in our major towns and it is vital this is recognised nationally. I would ask all resident to take part in the consultation and I will continue to lobby government to ensure fair funding for Dorset.
To download a pre written letter to the policing minister or to sign the petition, please visit www.dorset.pcc.police.uk/RPM
Thanks for your support.
Martyn Underhill
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Stourpaine Parish Council – Meeting 20th August 2015
Please follow the link below to see a copy of the agenda for the meeting of Stourpaine Parish Council to be held on the 20th August 2015 at 7.00pm in the Sports Pavilion.
Please note that the Parish Council will be discussing the following planning applications as part of proceedings –
2/2015/1087/OUT– Norton View, Shaston Road, Stourpaine, DT11 8TA – Demolish outbuildings and develop land by the erection of 4 No. dwellings (outline application to determine layout)
2/2014/0876/FUL – Land at E386023 N109671, Havelins, Stourpaine – Erect 5 No. dwellings (including 2 No.affordable dwellings) and 6 No.garages/carports, form vehicular and pedestrian access – Appeal lodged with the Planning Inspectorate ref APP/N1215/W/15/312.
Further information on both these applications can be found at dorsetforyou.com
Dorset Police – Warning of Phone Scams in Dorset
Dorset Police are warning the public after reports of phone scams, with offenders claiming to be from Microsoft, in the county and are appealing for other victims to come forward.
One incident occurred, Wednesday 5 August 2015, in the Weymouth area.
A male offender called the victim, a local man in his 40s, claiming he was from Microsoft and could assist with a virus on the victim’s computer.
The fraudster tried to trick the victim into paying an amount of money into a foreign bank account for the services and requested his bank account details.
A similar incident occurred on Tuesday 4 August 2015 in the Bournemouth area.
The victim, a local man in his 80s who had recently bought a new laptop, received a call from a man also claiming to be from Microsoft.
In this incident, the offender gained remote access to the victim’s computer and said he would help with the setting up process. He then requested a significant sum of money from the victim for the services. This was paid in to a foreign bank.
Professional analysis of the victim’s laptop, after the incident, showed that it had been attacked maliciously by the offender.
On both occasions the offender is said to have spoken with an Indian accent.
Detective Sergeant Alan Marks, of Dorset Police’s Force Intelligence Bureau, said:
“I would like to bring these incidents to the public’s awareness.
“As with all phone scams, offenders can be highly convincing and I ask people to remain vigilant and ensure friends and family are also aware of such offences.
“I am also appealing to anyone in the county who has been targeted by these scams to report them to the police.”
Anyone with information about such scams should call us on 101 quoting incident number 5:85. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
Urgent messages from Dorset Police
Report of a theft
we have had a report of theft from a secure motor vehicle between 05082015 2300 hours and 06082015 1400 hours, Pepper Hill Shillingstone , Offenders have taken a Garmin Sat Nav, some cds and a torch
crime occurrence number 55150064194
Any information please contact Dorset Police 101 or crime stoppers 0800 555 111
Rogue traders targeting the elderly
Dorset Police and Trading Standards Officers are warning householders in Dorset, particularly pensioners, to be extra vigilant after receiving a large number of calls from across the county relating to suspected rogue traders going door to door.
The offenders offer services including; power washing driveways, cutting down trees and tending gardens and selling chainsaws and generators. They also carry out general building work including tarmacking, in exchange for cash.
Police believe that criminals who carry out this type of fraud are doing so whilst travelling through the county, but there are also people who live in the area who try to con the elderly.
Dorset Police’s Crime Prevention Advisor, Debbie Oldfield, said: “Reports have come in from all over Dorset, but we are experiencing a higher volume of calls from elderly people in the areas in and around Ferndown, Poole and Bournemouth.
“We ask that the residents of Dorset be vigilant and not forced or coerced into commissioning work, even if you are told it’s urgent. The work is often costly and unnecessary.
“Do not buy tools from people selling them from their vehicles, as they could be stolen or counterfeit. You could get arrested for handling stolen goods if you are found in possession of them.
“Tell the trader ‘no thank you’, shut the door and call the Police on 101, giving as much detail as you can, including descriptions and vehicle registration numbers if possible.
“If the trader won’t leave your house, dial 999.”
Debbie also advises against giving details out to cold callers – a scam where fraudsters pretend to be from a reputable company and then defraud victims.
Ms Oldfield continues: “If someone calls you unexpectedly asking for your bank details – again, say ‘no thank you’, put the phone down, dial 1471 and write down the number. Call the police immediately on 101.
“If you have already bought services and goods at the door and you are not satisfied, call Citizens Advice on 03454 040506. They will be able to give you advice and report the matter to Trading Standards on your behalf.
“We ask friends, family members and neighbours to be mindful that these types of scams are happening and to look out for elderly or vulnerable people they know, especially if they are having work carried out at their property.
“By working together we can try and stop this sort of heinous crime.”
There have been 15 reports of rogue trader type offences, between January 2014 and July 14 and 38 reports for the same period in 2015.
Stickers for doors and telephones are available from libraries across Dorset or by calling Trading Standards on 03454 040506. Further information is available on the Buy With Confidence website.
If you know someone who is committing this crime or you want to report suspicious behaviour, please call Dorset Police on 101, Trading Standards on 03454 040506 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Police guidance:
- Keep your doors locked, even if you’re in the premises, and put a chain on if you have one
- Don’t let anyone into your property that you don’t know
- Don’t accept work from people calling at your door, no matter how urgent they say the work is
- Never go to the bank with someone you don’t know or trust
Call the police on 101 if you think you have been a victim of a crime or you see any suspicious behaviour
Action Fraud Alert – Advance Fee Fraud
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has been alerted to an Advance Fee Fraud in which individuals believe they are being recruited by Business Loan Scanner who will be moving to 34 Lime Street, London on 24th August.
Applicants receive a job offer and are then asked to pay an upfront fee for CRB checks etc.
However, please be aware that there is NO such company at this location and this activity is a fraud.
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk
Dorset Police – Safer Neighbourhood Newsletter August 2015
Please click on the link below for a copy of the latest Safer Neighbourhood Team Newsletter from Dorset Police –
Action Fraud Alert – Empty properties
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has received several reports of rental fraud whereby empty premises are being targeted and the locks are being changed for the purpose of adding legitimacy to a rental fraud.
The suspect(s) will find and enter an empty property for the purposes of changing the locks and then advertising it on online platforms, such as Gumtree, as a rental property. The suspect(s) then invite interested victims to visit the property for a viewing. Those victims which are interested in renting the property are then requested to pay a deposit and/or rent upfront in cash.
In some instances the victims have moved into the property only to be evicted by the real property owner, or have found that the locks have been changed, once they have received the keys. There are several instances where this fraud has left victims homeless.
Property Owners:
- If you or someone you know currently has an empty property, encourage them to visit the property regularly to make sure that the locks have not been changed and no damage has occurred.
Prevention Advice:
- Avoid communication with only email or mobile phone, request to see the property owner and ask for valid ID. You can also check ownership of the property using the Land Registry.
- The landlord will carry out their own due diligence and should request all of your details, references and proof that you will be able to afford to rent the property. Make sure that these checks are completed prior to paying a deposit / rent.
- Always view the property and the tenancy agreement before paying any upfront costs.
If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk
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