Day 1
An interactive advent calendar has been
launched by Dorset Police today – Saturday 1 December 2012 – which
will provide the public with festive themed crime prevention and
personal safety advice every day until Christmas Eve.
The Dorset Police Advent Calendar is housed on
the Force website and provides the public with a different area of
festive crime prevention and personal safety advice each day.
The public can also receive the advent
calendar updates by following Dorset Police on twitter @dorsetpolice and the
campaign will use the hashtag #DPadventcalendar.
Day one of the advent calendar encourages the
public to follow simple advice to reduce the chances of falling
victim to burglary during the festive period.
Burglary offences have increased in Dorset
during the festive period in recent years.
Over the past four years, dwelling burglary
offences increased by an average of 19.5% when comparing the months
of October and November with December and January.
Detective Inspector Richard Dixey, of the
Priority Crime Team, said: “I am encouraging everyone to take
simple steps to make sure burglars don’t ruin their Christmas.
“Ensuring valuables and presents are not left
on display and making sure that all windows and doors are securely
locked when leaving the property will reduce the chances of being
burgled.
“I would also encourage those members of the
public with devices like iPads, smartphones and laptops to consider
downloading tracker apps.
“These apps can be activated if the product is
stolen, which can then help us to track and locate the item.
However, the public should be aware that some apps may charge a fee
and others are free.”
Some of the tracker apps available include the
BlackBerry Protect and the iPad/iPod Finder. The Prey Project app
is also available and can be used on a variety of phones, laptops
and tablet devices.
A range of covert and overt policing
techniques will be used to reduce burglaries across Dorset over the
festive period.
Detective Inspector Dixey continued: “Not only will we be
targeting burglars over the Christmas period, we will also be
targeting handlers of stolen goods.
“Anyone offered high value items at cheap
prices by an individual should be suspicious and contact Dorset
Police if they believe the goods are stolen.
“If you are burgled, please report it to
Dorset Police immediately by dialling 101 or call us on 999 if the
crime is in progress.
“Burglaries tend to increase over the festive
season due to the longer hours of darkness at night and burglars
know people will have valuables and presents in their homes.”
Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said: “I would
encourage the public to keep checking the advent calendar on our
website to find advice that may prevent them from becoming victims
of crime over the festive season.
“The public can also receive these tips and
advice by following us on twitter @dorsetpolice.
“Don’t let criminals ruin your Christmas.”
Further advice to reduce the chances of
criminals spoiling your Christmas by keeping garage and sheds
secure as Christmas looms >
Events
Weymouth and Portland Safer Neighbourhood
officers will be providing burglary and purse theft prevention
advice between 9.30am and 11.30am at the Asda store in
Weymouth and between 12.00 and 2pm at the Co-Op
store in Littlemoor today, Saturday 1 December 2012.