Over the last 7days there was a noticeable increase in thefts of and from motor vehicles in and around the area.

These include two that occurred in the Broadwindsor area. The first vehicle was a black Suzuki Vitara 4x4 stolen from outside the post office on the morning of Monday 20th November at around 10am, the second vehicle a black Ford Focus was stolen from the Kings Court area on the evening of Tuesday 21st November.  This is highly unusual and if anyone has any information regarding these thefts please contact PC 2223 Roy.

Other similar incidents took place in East Street where theft from a motor vehicle occurred. Other reported incidents of damage occurred in the Barrack Street area and to a noticeboard.

Another incident of concern was a theft of a mobile phone, which took place in the Somerfields store. The victim was shopping on Thursday 16th of November and the phone was removed whilst they were distracted.

I ask that you take reasonable precautions to safeguard your valuables whilst you are out and about and remove valuables from display when you park your vehicle.

ARRESTS

Over the period November 15th - 22nd 6 arrests were made:

3x Criminal Damage
1x Theft
2x Failing to appear in court

CHARITY FUNDRAISING IN WEST DORSET

West Dorset District Council and Dorset Police would like the public in West Dorset to continue donating to charity collections in the knowledge that the proceeds will be applied correctly. With Christmas approaching you may be thinking of conducting a collection where the proceeds are for the benefit of charity.  Please note, legislation requires that collections conducted door to door or in a public location must be covered by a licence issued by the local authority.  The objective of the legislation is to ensure that donations are properly accounted for and to protect the public from the occasional unscrupulous collector.  The majority of collections in West Dorset are approved and conducted correctly but, if you would like to check the authenticity of a collection please refer to www.dorsetforyou.com under ‘charity collections’. Alternatively phone licensing officer Christina Squires on 01305 252441 or your local police station.  Advice and guidance on conducting a collection is available from the licensing section at West Dorset District Council in Dorchester.

POLICE BALL

I would like to express my personal thanks to all that attended the Police Charity Ball on the 17th of November and made it a wonderful night. Secondly my thanks go out to all the local businesses and individuals who donated items for raffle and made it a success as the money raised will go to local charities and other good causes. The ball will go ahead next year and would like say that it is a community event and look forward to seeing you at the Police ball next November.
 
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