Dorset Police Alert – Scam phone calls

Residents in Dorset are receiving  scam calls from 0204 and 0843 numbers.
from foreign sounding male and females.
Please try not to engage  with these calls but place the phone back on the hook wait at least 10 minutes and call 101.

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Categorised as Crimewatch

Dorset Police’s 101 non-emergency telephone service

More often than not, by calling the non-emergency 101 telephone service or 999 emergency service, it will be the first time many people in our community will speak with someone at Dorset Police.  But there are occasions when we are, unfortunately, contacted for reasons which are not police matters.  We’d very much like you to help us understand what you know about the 101 and 999 services.

Please click here to take part in a short survey, which is a valuable way for us to help our community get the best from these services.

There is an additional comments section in the survey for any other feedback, but please note, this survey cannot be used to address individual enquiries or to report crime.  If there is a police matter about which you’d like an update, or if you need to report a crime, please call 101 for non-emergencies and always call 999 in the event of an emergency.

This survey is open until Sunday 20th September 2015.

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RSPCA Equine Castration and Passport Clinic

Tuesday 6th October 2015, 10.00am to 4pm

At Ashley Heath Car Boot site, Homelands Farm, Horton Road/Ringwood Road, Ashley Heath, Ringwood, BH21 6QZ

Castration
£80 for onsite castration – minimum age of horse 6 months (both testicles MUST have descended, whatever age the horse)
Including onsite pre and post op checks, discharge pack (with antibiotics and bute as required).
Also includes microchip and passport if the horse doesn’t have them.
Booking in advance is required, with £40 deposit to secure a place.

Why castrate your colt? 
It is much easier to sell a gelding on the open market. Many people do not have the facilities or the experience to own a stallion, and will only consider buying geldings or mares. Geldings can therefore sell for much more money than colts.

Equine Passport/Worming/Microchip Package
Own a mare or gelding? You can still benefit from our action day! If your horse or pony doesn’t have a passport, bring it along and get it sorted.
£25 per horse for a passport, microchip, wormer and free vet advice. No booking needed, just turn up, but you must be ready to wait to be seen.

To book or enquire please call:
RSPCA Clinic
(10am-4pm)
01202 526520

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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

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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.

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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

Dorset Police – Warning of Phone Scams in Dorset

logoDorset 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.

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Urgent messages from Dorset Police

logoCSWReport 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

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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

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Categorised as Crimewatch