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SCREENSAVER MODE
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CRIME UPDATE 6 SEPT |
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Over the last 7 days or so crimes that have come to notice include numerous incidences of criminal damage in and around the town centre. The incidents include reports of damage to stationary vehicles and buildings alike. These often random or reckless acts are source of annoyance and frustration for all concerned, and CCTV is being checked in all of these cases to identify suspects.
Other situations to which officers have been called include late night disturbances and disorderly behaviour, in and around the town centre, over the weekend. As a result of subsequent searches at the scene, 3 individuals have been arrested for being in possession of bladed and offensive weapons.
These incidents come at a time when we are all very aware of knife crime issues. The law surrounding knives and other offensive weapons is clear, and various test cases in court highlight the seriousness of possession.
When police encounter individuals carrying offensive weapons, each case is treated on its own merit. Unlike most crimes, in this situation it is up to the individual in possession to prove why they are carrying such articles and ignorance is definitely no defence.
Arrests
Over the period August 30th to September 6th 9 arrests were made;
3x criminal damage
3x possession of offensive weapons
1x theft from motor vehicles
1x possession of controlled drugs
1x Causing harassment
Unlicensed charity collectors
Many local people are currently concerned about bogus charity collectors, purporting to represent national and local charities. On one occasion in Dorchester, a woman entered licensed premises and started collecting form customers wearing forged ID badges and letters of support from charities. In this case the woman was arrested and all forged items seized.
Dorset Police would ask that you be mindful of such scams if when socialising in licensed premises in the town. There are strict guidelines on charity collections, issued by West Dorset District Council and backed up by the House-to-House Collections Act 1939.
The council licensing officer again has received calls from concerned members of the public regarding flyers and plastic sacks which have been posted through letterboxes appealing for donations of unwanted clothes, footwear and household items for the benefit of charity where the donated items may not be applied for the purpose stated. The flyers on this occasion have been delivered to addresses in the Alexandra Road area of Bridport. The flyers indicate that a registered company is collecting items, but this does not exempt them from the requirement to obtain a licence/authorisation from the local authority.
The majority of collections conducted in West Dorset are approved and conducted correctly, but if you would like to check the authenticity of a collection please refer to a list of approved collections which is available on the councils website www.dorsetforyou.com under charity collections. Alternatively phone the councils licensing officer on 01305 252441 or your local police station.
If you have any information regarding the above offences or any other crimes, then please come forward and help us with our enquiries: it may be your evidence, which successfully secures a conviction. Instead of accepting that crime is part of the Bridport society, let’s give the courts the facts and allow them to decide.
Contact the police station direct, or speak to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 – all calls will be treated in confidence
PC 2232 Scott McGregor
Community Beat Officer
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