© 2023 Buckland Newton Community Website Committee Last updated 25th September 2023 09:20 Website design and update by Jeremy Collins
Neighbourhood
Alerts
Your Safer Neighbourhood
Police Officers are:
Sgt Ged Want, PCSO Sarah Hart and
PCSO Alison Donnison
Call them at Dorset Police on: 01305 222 222 or on
their team mobile: 07500 816291
Please only use the numbers above for non-
emergency calls. If a crime is in progress or life is in
danger, please dial 999.
Dorchester Safer Neighbourhood Team are now
Tweeters - follow them on @DorchesterSNT for
updates and information relevant to our area.
The Neighbourhood Alerts scheme is about bringing people closer
together and involving them in local village life. It plays an important part in making
the community safer and one of the most important things that scheme members
can do is to look out for activity that seems suspicious or unusual and report it to
the police. It may help solve or prevent a crime! Any messages received from
Dorset Police regarding Neighbourhood Alerts will be posted here as soon as we
receive them.
28th March 2023. WhatsApp Account takeover scam
6th April 2023. Advice to farmers and landowners. The warmer weather
combined with bank holiday weekends, can sometimes result in unauthorised
gatherings on farmland and the Police would like to provide advice to farmers and
landowners on reducing the risk of unauthorised occupation of your land.
8th September 2023. Witness Appeal Serious RTA nr Sherborne 7 Sept
Various Amazon/Visa/Mastercard/BT telephone scams. These are recorded
messages saying that large transactions have been noticed on your credit card
account, or that you are about to be disconnected from your internet account.
They are almost certainly scams intended to obtain bank or credit card details.
If you believe that you have been a victim of fraud you can report it online at:
www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud or by telephone on: 0300 123 2040.
Missing Persons with Dementia
When a person goes missing, it is very distressing for family and friends and can
be even more worrying when the missing person has dementia. Click on Herbert
Protocol for more information on how to report a missing person with dementia.
Staying safe from e-mail scams
Just been told you won that social media giveaway you entered a while ago?
#StopChallengeProtect to make sure it isn’t a scam.
Criminals will try and trick you to make you believe you’ve won something. They
want you to hand over your personal or financial information, make a payment, or
click on a dangerous link.
You can report suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk and text messages by
forwarding them to 7726 (spells out the word ‘spam’ on your keypad).
A useful article from Neighbourhood Watch - worth reading
Please help report rural crime
Dorset Police are asking people to be vigilant and to report rural crime. Click here
to see more.
Crime Prevention Visits
Did you know that the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team offer free of charge crime
prevention visits to farms, smallholdings and equine premises and other rural
businesses?
We have carried out hundreds of visits to farms, smallholdings and equine
premises and businesses to advise of the best up to date methods available to
keep them safe a prevent them becoming victims of crime.
Crime prevention in rural areas is very difficult by the nature of the environment but
officers are trained and experienced in crime prevention advice.
On these visits we have a walk around premises and find out any weak points and
any existing security measures and then advise on security measures that would
suit the solution.
We will also bring with us a pack containing useful guides and products which
might be of interest to you and officers can discuss with you any concerns or
product ideas you may have.
We can also offer property marking while we are at the premises and offer lots of
crime prevention signage.
More crime prevention advice can be found here:
https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/rural-crime/
If you would like a visit to your farm, smallholding or other rural business from the
Rural Crime Team or for further crime prevention advice please send an email to
the team at ruralcrimeteam@dorset.pnn.police.uk
Staying Safe Online
Click here for Staying Safe Online and Staying Safe on Social Media information
from the police.
Non-Emergency Police Number 101
Members of the public in Dorset must now ring 101 to contact Dorset Police for non-urgent
enquiries. The new 101 number has replaced the previous non-emergency police number.
As ever, people should always dial 999 in an emergency – when life is in danger or a crime is in
progress. Calls to the 101 non-emergency number – from both landlines and mobile phones –
cost 15 pence per call no matter what time of day you call, or how long you are on the phone.
Your Neighbourhood Policing Team:
PC James Long 1316 is now the designated officer for Dorchester Rural
Neighbourhood Policing. PC Long will be working alongside Police Community
Support Officers 5301 Hart and 6500 Alison Donnison. Contact them on 101 or on
their team mobile: 07500 816291; please only use this number for non-emergency
calls. If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, please dial 999.
Meet the Team
Buckland Newton Old Chapel Stores: Every third Wednesday of the month from
3pm to 3.30pm.
In the meantime please check out the Dorchester Police Facebook page where
you’ll find up to date information from Dorchester Police. All you need to do is log
into Facebook and search for Dorchester Police.
Do It Online is a contact portal that can be found on the front page of
www.dorset.police.uk. Here you can select the service most appropriate to your
enquiry and complete the form as directed. Please give as much information as
you can to help the police answer your enquiry. The Do It Online function enables
you to make enquiries without the need of calling 101, therefore saving your time
and any unnecessary expense.
Call Protect
This is a new service offered by BT called Call Protect and which is free. When
you receive a call, you just dial 1572 and follow the instructions and hopefully this
number will be barred in future. Its very easy to set up online through BT and can
be done from your own computer to cover any landline – useful to help with elderly
relatives who may not be so computer literate.
Shed, Outbuilding and Garage Security Advice
Many people take a great deal of trouble securing their houses and property within,
however leave valuable property in a shed or outbuilding, which is either unlocked
or so old and run down it proves no obstacle for a thief. Attached is a poster
displaying more useful information and simple tips to make yourself secure; click
on the image at left for full details.
Ensure that your shed and outbuilding is in a good condition and if not take steps
to improve it or don't leave valuable items inside. Once the fabric of the building is
secure, you can then look to improve the physical security. Please can we advise
you to consolidate all your valuable tools into one very secure place. This may
mean bringing your power tools into your home when not in use. Please make a
note of any serial numbers as this is crucial for us to reunite you with your stolen
property. When we seize suspected stolen property, we need to prove where it
has come from. We also suggest that you reverse all vehicles so that the rear
doors face against walls or garages/outbuildings. If you discover that your shed or
outbuilding has been broken into, please leave the scene untouched and call us on
101 soonest. This will help our Crime Scene Investigators look for fingerprints,
footprints as well as any fibres or tool marks on point of entry such as locks and
windows. This will give us the best chance of a positive outcome. We also
suggest:
•
Put away all tools and lock them up. Remember these tools could be
used to break into your home. Don't leave ladders outside, or chain them up
if you have to.
•
Replace standard hinges with strap hinges secured by coach bolts or use
security screws (’clutch’ screws) on existing hinges.
•
Use good quality locks to secure your gates and doors
•
A tough pad bar (also called hasp and staple) fitted with a strong padlock
and secured with coach bolts is the most effective way of securing a door.
•
Some standard locks fitted to up-and-over garage doors are easily
overcome. A padlock with a hasp and staple fitted on each side is very
effective. Specialist locks for such doors are also available.
•
Double garage doors with a rim latch should be supplemented with a
mortice deadlock.
•
If the garage is attached to the main building ensure that connecting doors
are secure.
•
Install outside security lighting operated by either movement sensor or
photo-electric cell (Dusk till Dawn light).
•
Check that your household insurance covers theft from your garden and
outbuildings.
•
Mark your power tools with your postcode and house number or the first
two letters of your house name. Alternatively, permanently mark them by
scratching or painting: this will also reduce their value to the thief.
•
Fit a battery-operated alarm. These can cost less than you think.
•
Fit a window grille and/or frosted window film to stop a thief seeing into
your shed or garage.
•
Chain tools, cycles and other valuable equipment together using high
security chain or cable and a good quality padlock.
•
Photograph valuable and unusual garden ornaments and keep these in a
secure place.
Doorstep Crime
Doorstep crime - where criminals trick their way into peoples’ homes or con people
to having work done - causes great distress to the victims who are often the most
vulnerable members of society.
Dorset Police sees a rise in such crimes through April to June, so we are asking
the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activities.
In no circumstances give your bank account details or Personal Identification
Number (PIN) to anyone – over the phone or on your doorstep. Our message is
simple; ‘be sure who is at your door’ and never accept work from anyone who tries
to sell you services at your door. Never let anyone into your home if you don’t
know them.
There is a key message for householders – don’t be rushed into accepting a quote
or believing scare-stories peddled by doorstep callers. Sit down, have a cup of tea
and take some advice. Friends and neighbours can check things out, and our Buy
with Confidence scheme will find you trusted and reliable traders.
Crime Prevention Guidance:
•
If you are not sure who is at your door – don’t open it.
•
Remember to use your door chain if you have one before you open your
front door to strangers.
•
Always check the identity of all visitors if they are not known to you before
opening your door.
•
Always look up telephone numbers for yourself – do not accept numbers
provided by callers as they could be bogus.
•
Beware of common tricks such as being asked to make a telephone call,
wanting to retrieve a lost ball (even if it is a child) or being asked to check
your water, gas or electric. If in doubt keep your door secure.
•
Always keep doors and windows secure – it is easy for strangers to enter
the rear of your home when you are busy answering the front door to their
accomplice.
•
Don’t keep large quantities of cash at home. Put it in a bank or Post Office
account.
•
To find an approved trader, call Citizens Advice Consumer Service on
0345 404 05 06 or visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk.
•
If you think a friend or relative has been victimised call the police on 101
or 999 if a crime is in progress.
TPS (Telephone Preference Service) Scam
The telephone preference service (TPS) is a valuable resource and is supported
by the Dorset Police but instances have occurred where members of the public
have registered on the TPS website and have later received a telephone call from
a person who stated they are responding to the TPS registration and asking for a
fee to complete the registration.
This is a scam and you should not pass on your bank or credit card details.
If you have been contacted by a person stating they are from the Telephone
Preference Service and have paid money for this free service it is strongly advised
that you report the incident to ACTION FRAUD on 0300 123 2040 as well as
contacting your bank as soon as practical.
Silent phone calls
Police frequently receive reports from worried residents in relation to silent phone
calls. The fear is that someone is just checking whether they are out. Police have
investigated these calls in the past and there is nothing sinister to be concerned
about. It is usually companies that telephone-sell goods using multiple dialling,
which phones 20 lines simultaneously, and as soon as one person answers, all the
other phone lines are cut. You can stop at least some these unsolicited calls easily
by registering with the Telephone Preference Service. The number to stop these
sales calls is 0845 070 0707.
Thefts from churches...
...particularly lead from roofs, are an increasing problem. There have been several
incidents in West Dorset. Local awareness and identification of strangers is an
invaluable defence. Buckland Newton has therefore joined the police initiative
'Church Watch', and those living around that part of the village are asked for their
support. If you see anyone acting suspiciously around the Church, or anywhere in
the village, the police would like to know straight away. Better a false alarm than
missing a wrongdoing. Dorchester Police 01305 222222.
Scams: Don't get caught out
Scams – if you are scammed it is worth reporting as all the information is collated
and investigated. You can report it on Action Fraud or 0300 1232040.
Everyday tens of thousands of people across the UK open their post to find that
they have apparently won money in a lottery or have a special parcel awaiting
delivery on receipt of a delivery fee or following a premium rate telephone call.
Many others receive phone calls telling them similar stories.
DON'T BELIEVE THEM
Watch out for these warning signs:
• You must send a fee to make your claim
• The company is based overseas or has a PO Box address 3H_
• You are asked for your credit or bank account details
• You must call a premium rate telephone number (090...)
• You must respond immediately to claim your prize
It's an unsolicited letter, phone call or e-mail
In short, never spend any money in response to these scams...
Doorstep traders are similar so never allow anyone through the door without being
sure who they are. IF IN DOUBT SHUT THEM OUT. You can always take their
identity card and ring their employer to check them out There is a sticker available
from Scamwise Southwest for use on a glass panel on or near the front door which
tells unwanted visitors not to bother to ring or knock. If you would like one please
ring them on 08454 04 05 06.
Buckland Newton Community Website
in the heart of rural Dorset