Author: Stourpaine Parish Council

Online shopping websites are being utilised by fraudsters to advertise vehicles for sale which do not exist. After agreeing to purchase the vehicle via email with the fraudsters, buyers then receive emails purporting to be from Amazon Payments and/or Amazon Flexible Payment Service stating that their money will be held in an ‘escrow account’ (a bank account held by a third party, used as a temporary holding account during a transaction between two parties- for a 7 day ‘cooling off’ period). Once happy with the purchase the email indicates the money will be released to the seller, therefore offering ‘buyer protection’. In reality these emails are fraudulent and do not come from Amazon. The bank accounts are controlled by fraudsters.

Protect yourself

• Remember that Amazon does not provide an escrow account to purchase items.
• Meet the seller ‘face to face’ and view the vehicle before parting with any money.
• Be vigilant of emails that purport to be from genuine companies and check the ‘domain’ name of the email address for any inconsistencies.
• Check feedback online by searching the associated phone numbers or email addresses of the seller.
• If the vehicle is below market value consider whether this is an opportunity too good to be true!

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

Additional specially-trained officers will be dedicated to victims and those who commit domestic abuse for the duration of the Euro 2016 football games.

From Friday 10 June to Sunday 10 July 2016, officers will be conducting extra reassurance visits to high-risk victims to ensure they continue to be safe.

In addition, police will be targeting serial perpetrators of domestic abuse and ensuring effective safeguarding measures are put in place in relation to children and vulnerable adults. Known offenders of domestic abuse can also expect to receive a police visit to ensure they are abiding by any special conditions or court orders.

There is an average of 498 domestic abuse incidents a month across Dorset and reports of domestic abuse tend to increase when major sporting tournaments take place. Detective Inspector Fiona Gaffney said: “It is a priority for Dorset Police to support victims of domestic abuse, encourage the reporting of these crimes and ensure those who inflict abuse are brought to justice.

“Alcohol can play a part in domestic abuse. If you commit an act of domestic abuse, you will be arrested and could face a significant custodial sentence.”

With support from Women’s Aid, 800 police officers and staff are also receiving additional domestic abuse training including guidance following the introduction of new domestic abuse legislation in December 2015, which includes coercive and controlling behaviour as a criminal offence.

Teresa Parker from Women’s Aid said: “Women’s Aid runs a campaign called Football United Against Domestic Violence, where we work with the footballing community to raise awareness of domestic abuse and send out the message that it is never acceptable.

“Football does not cause domestic abuse, but there can be increased reporting of abuse during big tournaments. With factors such as increased alcohol consumption and the heightened emotions associated with football meaning that existing abuse can be exacerbated.

“We know the importance of providing training to the police about domestic abuse, delivering alongside police trainers to ensure our content is as relevant and practical as possible. We need to work together to ensure the standardisation of the police response to domestic abuse across force areas, not just at the time of the Euros, but throughout the year.”

Fiona Gaffney adds: “Dorset Police is committed to preventing coercive and controlling offences as well as serious violent crimes. Perpetrators need to know that these coercive and controlling behaviours are now criminal and we will pursue and prosecute.

“Along with our own experienced and specially-trained officers who investigate these offences, we also work in close partnership with other support agencies who can offer support, advice and guidance. In addition, the police have powers through Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders, to bar suspected perpetrators of domestic violence from contacting a victim and stop them returning to a victim’s home.

“I strongly encourage anybody experiencing any form of domestic abuse to report it and seek help.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, said: “Reports of domestic abuse traditionally increase during major sporting events and it is right that we put additional resources in place to support victims and prosecute offenders.

“We are now able to offer tailored courses to male domestic abuse victims as well as Freedom courses to female victims, along with specialist counselling to child victims of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is all about control and I would encourage victims to speak out – you do not have to suffer in silence.”

For more information on support services available throughout Dorset visit: www.dorsetforyou.com/dvahelp.

Useful Contacts:

Dorset Police: 101 (In an emergency always dial 999)                                             

National Support for Victims:
National DV Helpline (24 hour): 0808 2000247
National Men’s Advice Line (for male victims): 0808 8010327

For young people experiencing abuse visit: www.thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk for advice and support. 

Dorset Police is launching their 2016 summer drink and drug driving campaign today, Friday 10 June 2016 that will run until Sunday 10 July 2016. This will coincide with the 2016 UEFA European Championship taking place in France.

Drivers are being reminded that the consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be devastating. With the Euro 2016 football competition starting on 10 June, police expect more people than usual will be out enjoying a drink.

Throughout the month-long summer drink and drug operation, officers will be requesting breath tests from all drivers involved in road traffic collisions, irrespective of whether or not they suspect an offence.

Drivers can expect to be tested during routine stop checks and if they are stopped for an offence. Field Impairment Tests (FIT) will be conducted on drivers suspected of being unfit to drive through drugs.

This is the first of two campaigns this year, following on from the 2015 Christmas drink and drug driving campaign when 110,226 motorists were breathalysed with 5,543 (5.02 per cent) either testing positive, refusing to provide a breath test or failing their test by blowing over the legal limit. There were also 1,888 drug screening device tests administered, 931 of which (49.31 per cent) were positive.

Inspector Matt Butler from the Alliance Road Policing team, said: “With nice summer evenings and Euro 2016 starting today, I would ask those planning to go out for a few drinks to consider how you’re going to get home beforehand.

“Drink driving can be devastating. Alcohol impairs many of the functions necessary for safe driving; reaction times go up and spatial awareness is significantly reduced.

“It is important to note that many matches kick off at 8pm, including two of England’s group matches. Motorists may still be over the limit the next morning. Remember, you don’t have to be drunk to be a drink driver.”

Chief Inspector Adrian Leisk, Head of the Alliance Roads Policing team across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset Police, said: “People convicted of drink or drug driving can expect to be banned from driving for at least 12 months, receive a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison.

“When someone dies as a result of a collision involving a drink or drug driver, sentences can carry a penalty of up to ten years in prison. Don’t risk it, it’s never worth it.”

As in previous campaigns, anyone charged with a drink or drug driving-related offence during the campaign will have their name and court appearance details released to the media. Custody images of those convicted could also be issued.

You can follow the campaign progress on Twitter using #DPSummerdrinkdrive.

For non-urgent matters, or to pass information about someone who regularly drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol, please go to www.dorset.police.uk and follow the ‘Do it online’ function. Here you can pass all the details to us via the online enquiry form. You can also email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or call 101.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Please follow the link below to see a copy of the latest newsletter from the Neighbourhood Policing Team –

Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter June 2016

Businesses are being contacted for the sale of goods or services by fraudsters, who request to pay by cheque. The fraudster sends a cheque with a higher value than the amount expected, and then sends the business a request for the difference with instructions on how it should be paid back. This is usually by bank transfer or through a money transfer service, such as Western Union or PaySafe. Once the ‘refund’ has been provided, it is realised that the cheque provided was fraudulent and no funds are credited to the business’s account.

The NFIB has seen an increase of 84% in the number of counterfeit cheque frauds reported to Action Fraud since November 2015. Criminals are targeting a wide range of services including paintings or other artwork, photography and lessons, with various amounts requested to be refunded.  The average amount requested to be refunded is £1,818. The highest amount requested was over £80,000.

The suspects have used pressure tactics to persuade victims to refund the amounts immediately prior to the cheques clearing.

Crime Prevention Advice

• Be cautious of payments where the amount provided is higher than expected. Refuse to provide the service unless the correct balance is received or wait until the cheque has cleared before refunding the difference.
• Always contact banks on a trusted number found on their website or correspondence that is known to be authentic to confirm whether the cheque has cleared.
• Do not feel pressured to provide a refund before the cheque has cleared.

If you have been affected by this, or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk