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Dorset Police Ringmaster page

26th January 2012

We have received various reports regarding door-to-door callers asking for email addresses and bank details in order to set up direct debit payments for various charities. While some of these may be legitimate, there have been complaints that heavy handed and aggressive techniques have been used. On one occasion an attempt was made to gain entry under the excuse of needing something to rest on whilst taking details. Most legitimate callers will have their own equipment and identification, however please remember not to divulge any personal details to strangers, however convincing they may be.Please pass this informaiton onto friends and neighbours.

25th January 2012

We have recently received reports in reference to scam emails supposedly from Banks, asking you to confirm personal banking details. You may receive one from your bank but also from banks that you do not use.
If you receive any of these emails please contact the bank concerned and then the Bank will advise you where to forward these onto so that they can investigate them.
They will never contact their customers by email and after forwarding them on these emails should be deleted

6th January 2012
There is a particularly nasty scam doing the rounds lately where you receive a message on your PC saying that your ISP (Internet Provider) has blocked access because you have been viewing "unsavoury" material.

You are then given the option of paying a "fine". If you don't, very nasty pictures are placed onto your PC which is so bad it frightens you into paying up! Turn your PC off immediately you see the first message and call your I.T support. Entry placed by FCC Website editor

6th January 2012
Dorset Driver Courses designed to refresh and update your driving skills

By popular demand, more Dorset Driver courses have been organised by Dorset County Council. They can now be booked online, making it even easier to improve your road knowledge and hazard awareness.

Bookings are now been taken but places are filling up quickly. These very popular courses, which take place locally within a friendly environment, are presented by experienced road safety professionals.

The two-hour theory sessions, which cost just £5 per person, are designed to help drivers of all ages deal with a wide range of driving conditions and address the most common causes of crashes in Dorset – poor hazard perception, failing to judge another vehicle's speed correctly and loss of control. Topics include refreshing your Highway Code knowledge, modern driving techniques and how to drive safely in adverse conditions.

Drivers are given essential advice and tips on how to stay safe by improving observation, avoiding distractions and how to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. Driving on motorways and dual carriageways is covered in the presentation, as well as the correct procedure for negotiating roundabouts.

The dates and locations of upcoming Dorset Driver courses are below. To sign up, simply complete the online booking form at http://www.dorsetforyou.com/dorsetdriver or contact the Road Safety team on (01305) 224558.

Tuesday 21 February 2 pm Gillingham, Jubilee Room, Gillingham Town Hall
Friday 9 March 2012 2 pm Bridport, The Pavilion, Bridport Leisure Centre
Wednesday 4 April 2012 2 pm Blandford, Bethany Lounge, Blandford Parish Centre
Thursday 19 April 2012 10 am Boscombe, Kings Park Training Centre
Wednesday 9 May 2012 7 pm Wimborne, Canford Room, Allendale Centre
Tuesday 22 May 2012 2 pm Sherborne, Wingfield Room, Digby Hall
Monday 11 June 2012 10 am Poole, The Study, Upton House, Upton Country Park
Friday 22 June 2012 10 am Dorchester, Committee Room 4, County Hall

People who attend the course have the opportunity to refresh their practical driving skills by signing up for a 90-minute, one-to-one driving session on local roads, under the supervision of an experienced driving instructor, costing £37.50. Booking information will be available at the theory refresher course.

2/12/2011
There really is "No Excuse".
You may have heard of, or seen, our "No Excuse" team out on patrol on our busy roads, dealing with dangerous driving offences such as excess speeding, drink driving, using mobile phones whilst driving or no seatbelts- what we call the "fatal four" main factors linked with serious injury road traffic collisions.
During a recent 8 hour day shift, the following offences were dealt with in ferndown and Wimborne by two unmarked cars and an unmarked police motorcycle
Speed 20 Fixed Penalty Tickets (FPT)
Phones 19 FPT
Seatbelts 8 FPT
Total 47 Fatal Four

We all know there is no excuse but here is a few the team received that day alone;

17/11/11
I have just been called by someone saying he is from Dorset Police and his name is Mr Roberts. He is trying to sell advertising/sponsorship on the basis that it is the lead up to Xmas and it will be donated to help local schools. I asked him for his number which he gave as 0800 089 9292 and he rang off.

This has been tried before and we know it is a scam. 

Dave Oakley
BBS  Chartered Management Accountants

There has been a recent shed break in Penrose Road, Ferndown
You are reminded to please keep sheds secure.
Shed alarms are available from the Barrington Centre Monday- Saturdays 10.00 - 12.00

07/11/2011
Can we make you all aware that recently fake £20 pound notes have been located in a number of commercial premises.
This is just a reminder to all to check that a note is not fake when it is handed over to you. To assist in this you can buy a money note pen which will indicate whether a note is fake or not. These can be bought from any good retailer.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you do find a fake note by calling Dorset Police on 101 or Wimborne Town and Leigh Park SNT on 07825 521773

26/10/2011
This is a ringmaster message.
Today the 26th October 2011 we have had four reports of breaks or attempted breaks to sheds over night. This have been in and around the area of Casterbridge Road, Dunedin Gardens and Locksley Drive. At this time only a set of golf clubs has been reported taken.
Please can we advise that you make sure that if you have a shead or an outside building these are checked and secured every night and where possible checked again in the morning.
If anyone has any information with regards to these breaks please contact Dorset Police on the new non-emergency number of 101.

If you wish to get anything to mark your property then items are available at the Dorset Police Community office which is located in the Barrington Centre on Penny Walks, Ferndown.

20th October
This is a Community Message from Dorset Police, we thank you for your continued support.
National Identity Fraud Prevention Week Scam Busters update
National Identity Fraud Prevention Week started on Monday, 17 October 2011, to alert consumers and businesses to the threat of identity fraud at home and at work.
According to research commissioned by Fellowes exclusively for the campaign, although 95% of the UK population are now aware of the threat and risks of identity fraud, the number of victims is still rising as people continue to be careless with their identities.
A total of 7% of the UK population have been victims of identity fraud, equating to over 4 million people. The average cost of these incidents to each victim is £1,190. 
When it comes to identity fraud, prevention is always key. Some easy ways for individuals to protect themselves include:

For more tips and advice on how to prevent identity fraud, visit the campaign’s website, www.stop-idfraud.co.uk. The website contains a downloadable advice pack for consumers as well as a business guide.

13th Oct
Good News.

This morning, the prevention of a cold calling fraud of £2750. This represented itself as gardening work of a poor standard and the subsequent demanding of money. We would like to remind residents that at this time of year these people will be attempting to defraud residents. Please be vigilant and use the Homewatch Traders list and if you believe your neighbours are having work done by unreputable workman then please contact Your Local Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.

Ferndown Police Community Office

The Ferndown Police Community Office is located in the Barrington Centre in Penny's Walk. We are open daily (except Sunday) from 10.00 until 12.00. We would like to remind residents of the importance of using the Office. We are a direct non-emergency link to the police to pass on reports and messages to your Safer Neighbourhood Teams. You can also leave comments for your local PACT panels.
Available from the office are a variety of leaflets and information packs offering security advice. We also have a wide range of security items for sale, these include; Door Chains and Door guards, Shed Alarms (now with remote control), Entry Chimes, Window Alarms, Alarmed Padlocks, Canned Food Safes, Building Alarmed Signs, Counterfeit Detection Pens and much more.
There are complimentary items available to Watch members, these include Purse Chains and UV Marker Pens, these are funded by your Watches.
With Halloween approaching us at the end of the month from, 11th October you will be able to collect a sign to put in your window to discourage Trick or Treaters from knocking at your door.
From 1st December we will be having a Christmas Promotion when you will be able to obtain security-stocking fillers from our wide range as well as some new free items, please come and see us.
During Office hours we can be contacted on 01202 876219, but please be aware that this number should not be used instead of 999 (if a crime is being committed or life is in danger) or 101 for other incidents.
We can also be contacted by email ferndowncommunityoffice@btconnect.com

12th Oct
This is a Ringmaster message from the West Moors, St. Leonards and St. Ives Safer Neighbourhood Team
Sergeant's summary for October

I am pleased to report further reductions across West Moors, St. Leonards and St. Ives in shed breaks and criminal damage. We have maintained another month with no dwelling burglaries at all and no recorded violent crime. We are not complacent though and your local team of Tony and Steve are once again sparking those brain cells to put together a crime prevention initiative around vehicle crime. As a section, East Dorset has seen a rise in vehicle crime over the last 12 months, with handbags, tools and registration plates being the objects of desire in the criminal world. Members of the public are advised never to leave valuables in the car at all and if unavoidable, never on display. Tools should be indelibly marked and registration plates secured with tamper proof screws. We will soon be putting together another innovative plan to deal with it. Watch this space!!
I can also report a second month of reducing antisocial behaviour on the patch, thank you to Steve and Tony again for the high visibility patrolling of our hotspots. My message, as always is- if you see it, report it. We have a robust process of handling anti-social behaviour reports that focuses on the victim and the causes, so help us to help you.
Remember to watch out for the Sheducation road show, coming to a street corner near you. If you are organising a local event and feel you could benefit from some police input, please get in touch and we will do our best to help you.

Ed..
I have received similar reports from all the local units.
Also a report of a scam email advising that a "parcel" needs delivering - after a necessary credit card payment. Yeh right I hear you all say as you "bin" the email without clicking on the links.

22nd Sep
Please be aware of the following website that is currently in existence. It is an attempt to con the reader.

The website address is www.bbc11.co.uk

This is not the BBC site which is www.bbc.co.uk

However, it is very deceptive and all the links from the fake page link into the genuine BBC site so that readers will think it is genuine.

IT IS NOT GENUINE AND ENCOURAGES THE READER TO ENTER A PROCESS THAT WILL INVOLVE FINANCIAL LOSS.

Please do not fall victim to this type of scam.

We have had reports of cold callers of eastern European nationality calling upon people in the Ferndown area attempting to sale art work. The sellers have also been asking for donations of money to be put towards caring for an ill child. If you are visited by these cold callers or anything similar please try and collect as much information as possible such as descriptions, clothing and any possible vehicles they may be travelling in. Please phone 01202 222 222 to report these incidents.

21st Sep
A lady in Craywood Drive reported a 'rough' looking man who called at her house at 9.00pm last night trying to sell her Loft Insulation.
She told him to go away which he did.
Other neighbours have had the same man call.

Please treat this caller as you would any other and report any suspcious activities to Dorset Police on 01202 222 222.

20th Sep
DISTRACTION BURGLARIES IN EAST DORSET – APPEAL

Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward after two distraction burglaries in the East of the county which may be linked.

The first incident, in which two offenders gained entry to a pensioner’s property along Mudeford Lane and stole cash, happened at around 5pm on Friday, 16 September 2011.

One of the offenders has been described as white, in his thirties and between five feet eight inches and five feet ten inches tall. He has short fair bushy hair, which was combed back, and was wearing a blue open-necked shirt.

The second man is also white, in his forties or fifties, of stocky build and just under six feet tall and has short dark hair. He was clean shaven and wearing a white shirt with coloured stripes, a dark tie and gloves. He is quietly spoken.

In the second incident at 3.30pm on Saturday, 17 September 2011, at an address along Ibbertson Road in Bournemouth a man engaged the occupant in a conversation about house repairs. Later on the pensioner realised that someone had gained entry to the house and stolen cash and jewellery.

The man has been described as white, in his forties, six feet tall, well built and with dark short hair which is curly on the top. He was wearing a green v-neck pullover – which had another colour as well – dark pinstriped trousers and black pointed shoes. He was speaking with a deep southern Irish accent.

Detective Constable Steve Davis, Dorset CID, said: “Due to similarities in the descriptions of the offenders these two incidents might be linked.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen or heard anything unusual at the time in either of these two locations to contact police as soon as possible.Also, anyone with any information about those responsible should contact police urgently.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident numbers 16:503 or 17:438. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

A previous ringmaster message for Ferndown
Dorset Police have received reports from residents, with reference to scam phone calls. Companies are phoning residents and saying they have overpaid on bank charges and if you pass your details they will refund you the monies. Also calls with reference to Information Technology and problems with your computer in this circumstance the line will go quiet to test the line to see if it is active and eventually they will ask for your bank details. They may even know your name!

We have once again received complaints in regard to high-pressure sales techniques used by alarm companies who offer "Free" alarm systems. These companies will entice occupants with an alarm system but charge heavily for monitoring costs. We recommend that you use well-established companies and information is available from your local watch schemes.

We are asking residents to be vigilant if they receive these calls and to hang up and not to pass on any of their personal details. If you are able to get a company name and or telephone number by dialling 1471 please pass this onto your Local Safer Neighbourhood Team.- Ian Curtis - Dorset Police Neighborhood Network

If you would like to be added to the Ferndown Neighborhood Watch "Ringmaster" (Community Message) list contact

http://dorset.police.uk/PDF/Community_Messaging_Registration_Form_May2011.pdf

Links

Dorset Police launch "Scam Busters" website.
A must see site for all residents and businesses alike

http://www.dorset.police.uk