Distraction Burglars

At approximately 1.30pm on Tuesday 4th September an attempted burglary occurred in the area near the town centre. In this situation 2 men aged in their mid to late 20’s entered the property after they purported to be there to fix a leak at the address

Common sense approaches to prevent yourself becoming prey to this unscrupulous type of crime are straightforward for example; if you have a door chain fitted, use it. Even if you are expecting staff from a utility company for work, demand identity and if in doubt challenge and if you are still not satisfied then do not allow the individuals into your home despite how plausible they may sound. If in doubt contact us at the police station. Details of description, accents, what they say to try tricking you are all useful. If any vehicles are seen or used then please take down the registration.

Pick Pockets

At approximately 1pm on Friday September 7th a pick pocketing occurred in East Street. This coincided with a series of other suspicious incidents in the town. On one-occasion individuals believed to be of dark complexion or eastern European, potentially Romanian targeted an elderly vulnerable victim. I would ask that everyone take care of his or her valuables, purses and wallets.

Keep handbags and bags closed especially if you are distracted shopping or in large crowds. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your bag across the front of your body to help reduce the risk of being targeted.

Bridport Town P.A.C.T Panel

Meets to consider residents’ concerns and decides on three community safety priorities for action.

Residents across Bridport are invited to attend the Partners and Communities Together (P.A.C.T) meeting to find out what can been done to address community problems and then vote on the priorities they wish to be tackled for the next 3 months.

The first P.A.C.T meeting will take place on Thursday 13th September at Bridport Town Hall, P.A.C.T panel members, made up of representatives from the local authority, councillors, youth services, social housing provider, Dorset fire and rescue and Dorset Police, will hear concerns on what the community feel are the top 3 concerns for the area by means of voting
 
Residents will vote on the top three priorities for Bridport. The aim of PACT meeting is to encourage more engagement with the community.

To have your say and raise any concerns you have about where you live, please come along to the Bridport PACT meeting on Thursday 13th September, at Bridport Town Hall at 7.30pm.

The P.A.C.T panel is a multi agency group, which is made up of statutory organisations, and voluntary groups.
The top three priorities will be passed to the appropriate agency, which will act and account for any action or work achieved in tackling any relevant priority at the next P.A.C.T meeting.

This is not a forum for political or personal point scoring or a means to attack any single group or individual. This is about engaging in a constructive debate, discussing specific and relevant issues and agreeing on priorities.

Bicycle Coding

Saturday 15th September bicycle coding will take place at Bridport Police station. This will be done by volunteers of the crime prevention panel for a price of £1 per bicycle throughout the day from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

When a bicycle is stolen and recovered often it isn’t reunited with its true owner, as it can’t be accurately identified. When details like home postcode and house number are engraved or stamped on the frame it does help. Even if a thief has taken steps to permanently deprive the rightful owner by repainting a bike this can prove invaluable in identifying it as stolen property.

Over the last week 7 arrests were made:

4 x Arson
1 x Criminal damage
1 x theft
1 x Warrant for failing to appear in court

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