Category: Crimewatch

This is an update to a previous alert sent from Action Fraud in November 2015.

Fraudsters are setting up high specification websites advertising various electrical goods and domestic appliances. These goods are below market value and do not exist. The website will state you can pay via card; however when the purchaser goes to pay, this option is not available and the payment must be made via bank transfer.

The fraudster entices the purchaser and reassures them it is a legitimate purchase by using the widely recognised Trusted Shop Trustmark. They then use the Trustmark fraudulently and provide a link on the bogus electrical website to another bogus website (which purports to be Trusted Shops). This website shows a fake certificate purporting to be from Trusted Shops and provides thousands of reviews for the bogus electrical website. These reviews are all fraudulent. The website has not been certified by Trusted Shops and therefore the purchaser is not covered by the Trusted Shop money-back guarantee.

Protect yourself:

• Check the authenticity of the website before making any purchases. Conduct a ‘Whois’ search on the website which will identify when the website has been created- Be wary of newly formed domains. You can conduct this search using the following website – https://who.is/
• Conduct online research in relation to the website, company name and the business address provided to identify any poor feedback or possible irregularities.
• Check the Trusted Shops Facebook page where warnings about websites using their Trustmark are published. If you are in doubt about the legitimacy of a Trustmark then you can contact Trusted Shops on 0203 364 5906 or by email service@trustedshops.co.uk. They will confirm whether they have certified that website.
• Payments made via bank transfer are not protected should you not receive the item. Therefore always try to make the payment via PayPal or a credit card where you have some payment cover should you not receive your product.
• If the item advertised seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

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.

There has been a small series of distraction thefts in the North Dorset area where males have approached people returning to their vehicles after shopping and asking for written directions to somewhere.
Whilst the victim is assisting this person, there is a second person who has accessed the vehicle and stolen handbags and or purses. The victims bank cards have then been used either in the store or at near by cash points.

It is believed they are aware of PIN numbers as they have been watching their victims whilst in the shops.

Please cover the pinpad when making purchases.

Photographs of the suspects are available on the Dorset Police website www.dorset.police.uk

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

Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter February 2016

 

 

We are at the final stage of the Your View consultation. Over the course of Your Dorset. Your Police. Your View we have learnt how you feel on many aspects of the our service, our findings are summarised in a recent press release found at http://bit.ly/1Rt1grs

In this final survey we are simply asking what are the areas of policing that you feel Dorset Police should be focusing on over the next five years. You don’t need to have taken part in any of the other ‪Your View surveys, we want to hear from as many people as possible. Findings from this survey and the other your view surveys will be discussed with all PCC candidates.

Please take the final survey at http://bit.ly/23YYAqp

Detectives searching for a wanted man believe that he may be in or around the area of Moreton in Dorset – with officers reminding the public not to approach the man, but immediately call 999.

David Chadwick, 58 and of Weymouth, was recently released from prison, having been convicted of sexual offences against children in 2013. After breaching his license conditions on Wednesday 10 February 2016 he is now wanted by the police.

Detective Inspector Richard Dixey said: “We now know that David Chadwick travelled by train from Weymouth to Moreton, near Dorchester, on Wednesday afternoon. We believe that he arrived in Moreton at around 12.40pm.

“We also understand that Chadwick purchased a sleeping bag on the same day and so it is possible that he is sleeping in outbuildings within the area.

“Officers have already conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries within the Moreton area and enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone who sees David Chadwick should not approach him, as he presents a risk to the public, but immediately contact Dorset Police on 999.

“There may be various reasons why he has not complied with his licence conditions and I appeal to him directly to make contact with police at the earliest opportunity.”

David Chadwick is described as white, of medium build, around five feet ten inches tall, with short grey hair and a small scar on his left cheek.

When last seen he was wearing a dark coloured, fleece style, jacket and glasses. He was also carrying A4 paperwork – believed to be an Ordnance Survey map.

DI Dixey continued: “I’d like to assure members of the public that officers are making every effort to find this man as soon as possible.

“I’d also like to remind members of the public that all calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of David Chadwick should call Dorset Police on 999.
 

There have been three reports of thefts of purses from vehicles. The victim’s have been distracted by a male asking for directions, these have all happened in supermarket car parks across North Dorset. Bank cards have then been used to withdraw money.
Any sightings of suspicious persons in car parks please call Dorset Police.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses to come forward after a burglary at a petrol station in Blandford.

Between 4.20am and 4.30am on Sunday 31 January 2016, three men wearing balaclavas and dark clothing broke into the Tesco Petrol Station in Stour Park in the town.

The offenders were challenged by two members of staff who had been alerted to the incident via the alarm. The pair were threatened by one of the offenders with a crow bar.

A quantity of cigarettes was stolen. No one was injured in the incident.

The offenders left the scene in a white Audi TT.

Detective Constable Tom Hall, of Weymouth CID, said: “I am appealing to anyone who saw three men acting suspiciously in the area of the petrol station at the relevant time yesterday morning to please call me on 101.

“I am also particularly keen to hear from anyone who has been offered or seen cigarettes for sale in suspicious circumstances.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 31:100. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.