Dorset Police Advice For Safe Online Social Networking

Dorset Police is continuing to educate the public on the threat of cyber-crime and is encouraging Dorset’s residents to ensure they are safe online while social networking.

The internet is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends, with many of us using Facebook, Twitter, Skype, online dating sites and others on a regular basis.

Superintendent Mark Callaghan, Director of Intelligence, said: “Many of us enjoy sharing the details of our lives with our online friends, but do you really know who you are communicating with and who can see your posts?

“Make sure your privacy settings are set to the highest level so that only your friends can see your details.

“It is easy for a cyber-criminal to get personal details from social networking sites. Posting details and photographs of your summer holidays while you are away may seem innocent enough, but to a burglar you have just advertised you have an empty house.

“Be wary about who you invite or accept invitations from on social networking sites and internet telephone services. Do not accept friendship requests from complete strangers. You would not do this in real life!”

Dorset Police is advising people to be wary of publishing any identifying personal information either in a profile or in posts – such as phone numbers, pictures of your home, workplace or school, your address or birthday.

Think twice before clicking on any links. These can lead to hoax pages and sites designed to defraud you or steal your identity. Choose safe passwords – careless use of passwords can lead to an account being hacked.

The risks are becoming the victim of online bullying, trolling or other forms of abuse such as revenge porn or extortion.

What goes online stays online. Do not say anything or publish pictures that might later cause you or someone else embarrassment.

Detective Superintendent Mark Callaghan continued: “I would urge everyone to visit GetSafeOnline and cybersafe.dorset.police.uk for help and advice on online safety.

“Together we can ensure all Dorset’s residents are CyberSafe.”

Dorset Police is encouraging everyone to visit GetSafeOnline and cybersafe.dorset.police.uk for help and advice on online safety.
If intimate photos or videos of you are posted online against your will report it to Dorset Police by calling 101.

Dorset Police Alert – Report of sheep worrying

During the afternoon on Monday 12th October, a sheep was attacked and killed by a dog in a field off Rook Lane, Winterborne Whitechurch. If you have any information that may help with our enquiries then please contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55150107426.

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Dorset Police Alert – Suspect Cold Caller

we have had a report of a cold caller at an address in Shaftesbury on the 8th October 2015. the Male has attended and stated he worked for Wessex water and needed to test the water.  thank fully the owner was very on the ball and offered him a glass of water to test but he refused and went on his way.
we know this was not Wessex water as they have confirmed this.
Wessex water normally send a letter to your address if there has been problems with the water, but not test it at your address.  please if you receive anything like this please make sure you get some photo  Identification and check with the actual company, do not let anyone into your address. unless you are expecting them.
Dorset Police 101 crimestoppers 0800 555 111

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Dorset Police Alerts

Dorset Police have received a report of theft of purse from a handbag which was left on a trolley in Morrisons in Blandford on Friday 2nd October 2015 between 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs
Please do not leave your bags open and unattended when out shopping.
Crime occurrence number 55150101564
any information please contact Dorset Police 101 www.dorset.police.uk or crime stoppers 0800 555 111

Thank you to everyone that completed the September survey as part of the Your View campaign, your continued engagement will help shape the future of Dorset’s police force.

Furthermore, make sure you look out for the Your View October survey which is going live in a few weeks. The survey will cover topic areas such as domestic abuse, cyber-crime and mental health.

Click here to find out more about the Your View campaign.

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Rogue Traders Are Targeted In Dorset’s Week Of Action

Dorset Police, Trading Standards Officers and partner agencies are working together to tackle the national issue of doorstep crime, which affects vulnerable and elderly people across the county, in a countrywide week of action.

Wednesday 30 September was the UK’s national day of action, which involved representatives from Dorset’s authorities educating the public in how to avoid becoming of a victim of fraud at their door and how to report suspicious and criminal activity.

The day of action focused on Trading Standards and the Police speaking to traders who were working on houses and in gardens and also the householder.

Police Community Support Officers have been raising awareness of doorstep crime by attending banks, chemists and coffee mornings to educate residents on what cold calling is and how to avoid being conned.

Rogue traders knock on a person’s door and offer a service, but overcharge for poor craftsmanship or unnecessary or unfinished work.

Offenders appear very friendly and often deceive people into thinking they’re helping, by giving their victim a good deal and for pointing out work which needs fixing immediately.

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.

Officers from neighbourhood policing teams including; Weymouth, Dorchester, Christchurch, Wimborne, Poole and Winton are working in collaboration with Trading Standards Officers to spread the message of ‘Be Sure Who’s At Your Door’.

Free door stickers are available from libraries across Dorset or by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506. To find a Trading Standards approved business and find reputable traders, visit the Buy With Confidence website.

Crime prevention advice:

  • 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
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Dorset Police Alert – Theft of horse related items

Good morning,

Unfortunately I am sending this message to inform you of a theft of horse related items from a shed in the Shutes Lane area of Gillingham.

This has occured between the 25th and 30th of September.

Items stolen include:

MAXAM COB SADDLE, BLACK STITCHED BRIDLE, THROWGOOD GIRTH, PURPLE POLY PAD, STIRRUPS WITH STRAPS, BLACK MONTY ROBERTS DUALLY, PURPLE PARELLI 12 FT ROPE, 2 GREEN PREMIER EQUINE TAIL GUARDS, CHILDS LILAC GROOMING KIT IN A BOX AND ASSORTED BRUSHES AND TOOTH PICKS

If you are offered any of these items or see them for sale anywhere, please contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurence 55150101160

I will be at the Mole Country Stores in Gillingham from 10 am until 3 pm tomorrow (3rd October)offering tack marking and security advice at their equine day. Please come along and say hello.

Thank you.

Kate Hann
PCSO 6268
Sturminster Newton Rural/Horsewatch

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Dorset Police Alerts

Dorset Police have received a burglary report to a unit on Brixey’s Business Park Tarrant Hinton. This occurred sometime between Wednesday 23rd September 0900 hrs and Friday 25th September 1159 hrs.  Nothing stolen
Crime occurrence number 55150096237.
any information please contact Dorset Police 101 or crime stoppers 0800 555 111

And

Dorset Police have received a report that someone is sending text messages purporting to be from Dorset Police. If you receive any of these please call 101 with the details.

If you are expecting contact from us then verify this with a 101 call.

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Share your views on policing, crime and community safety in Dorset

During the summer, the Police and Crime Commissioner and his engagement team have been meeting residents across Dorset at events such as the Air Show, County Show, Melplash Show, etc to understand your views on policing, crime and community safety.

Having surveyed over 1,600 residents face-to-face we are now opening up the survey online to hear the views of many more residents across the County.  Feedback from this survey will be used to set the strategic direction of Dorset Police and to highlight which areas of policing, residents want the force to focus on in the face of funding cuts.

Please take part in the survey and pass amongst your friends and family to ensure as many people as possible are able to have their views taken into account.

You can complete the survey via this link.

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