CASH POINT MACHINES - CONVENIENT BUT BE CAREFUL.

Over recent months there have been a number of thefts from cash points in the north of the county. The thieves fasten a small device over the cash point card slot and wait nearby. The next person to use the cash point finds that once they have inserted their card and entered in their PIN number they can progress no further. The card stays in the machine and after a few bemused minutes our unsuspecting person walks off with hopes of a quick shopping spree receding fast. Meanwhile the crafty thief has carefully watched the PIN number being entered and once the coast is clear retrieves the card with a clever tool. Once again someone who probably doesn't contribute very much to society takes from someone who does probably does. This is an easy trick to foil by taking simple measures.
When you use a cash point machine please make sure that no one else can see you input your PIN. Put a hand over the keyboard, check around to see if anyone is watching. If someone is standing right next to you and won't go away, stop, walk away and wait until they have gone before using the machine. This sort of theft is very easy to prevent as long as you keep your wits about you. We have had no reports of it happening in this area yet, but that does not mean that someone will not try it in the future

WBe aware and if you see someone you think is suspicious give us a ring immediately.

DON'T LET GREED MAKE A FOOL OF YOU

Anyone who has access to the internet and can receive e-mails is now open to e-mail scams. There are several types being used by criminals but by far the most prolific is the offer of a large amount of cash in return for helping out someone purporting to be contacting you from Africa. They may claim to be an African Prince, a high ranking military officer, a leading political figure a or a successful businessman. What they ask for are details of a UK bank account in which they can ship tens of millions of pounds or dollars in order to get it out of the country they are in. In return for providing them with the use of your bank account they promise you a large cut amounting to several million pounds. They even e-mail police officers, I receive several such requests a month! They are all scams

DON'T LET GREED BLIND YOUR POWERS OF REASONING.
If you want to do more than just delete these unwanted e-mails please send them to the following address:
WEST AFRICAN ORGANISED CRIME SECTION, UNIT 2 SPRING GARDENS, P.O.BOX 8000 LONDON SE11.

WEBSITES / BULLETINS

This bulletin and previous month's bulletins can also be viewed on the following websites.
www.tisbury.co.uk, www.swallowcliffe.com, and www.nadderfocus.com
Receive this bulletin by e-mail: mark.steele@wiltshire.police.uk

HELP US TO HELP THEM

Do you know of an elderly friend or relative who habitually pays cash to persons calling at the door to carry out gardening work etc? There have been instances recently whereby someone has watched to see where the cash has been taken from and has then returned and stolen it all on their next visit. If you do know this is happening please contact your Community Beat Officer who can give the necessary advice and help to prevent a theft or burglary.

REPORTED CRIME JANUARY 2003

TISBURY BEAT
(TISBURY, WARDOUR, HATCH, E HATCH & NEWTOWN) Beat Officer: PC Mark Littlewood
1st Vandals started fire and smashed bottles in Wardour Castle on New Years Eve (PC Mark Littlewood)
2nd Car windscreen smashed overnight in Tisbury High Street (PC Mark Littlewood)
22nd Stonecutter stolen from business premises in Station Road overnight (PC Mark Littlewood)
27th Windscreen wiper snapped off a car in Hindon Lane (PC Mark Littlewood)
27th Power tools stolen from building site at Wardour (PC Paul Wilson)
31st Burglary in Weaveland Road by male falsely claiming to be from the waterboard (PC Mark Littlewood)
31st 20 year old male arrested and charged with drink driving in Tisbury High Street (PC Graham Briant )

TISBURY NORTH BEAT
(BERWICK ST. LEONARD, CHICKSGROVE, CHICKLADE, CHILMARK, FONTHILL BISHOP, FONTHILL GIFFORD, HINDON, RIDGE, SUTTON MANDEVILLE SWALLOWCLIFFE & TEFFONT) Beat Officer: PC Mark Steele
1st Farm shop in Teffont broken into and charity boxes stolen. (PC Mark Steele)
1st Male dishonestly made off from Chicklade services without paying for petrol (PC Mark Steele)

TISBURY SOUTH BEAT
(ANSTY, ALVEDISTON, BERWICK ST.JOHN, CHARLTON, THE COOMBES, THE DONHEADS, LUDWELL & TOLLARD ROYAL)
Beat Officer: PC Paul Wilson
15th 8 mth old Rottweiler stolen from dog pen in Donhead St Andrew between 1800-1815 hours (PC Paul Wilson)
22nd Attempt made to gain entry to house being built at Barkers Hill, suspect fled empty handed. (PC Paul Wilson)

MERE BEAT (including BURTON)
Beat Officers: PC Graham Briant & Pete Robins
3rd Bungalow burgled in Lordsmead Road, jewellery stolen (PC Pete Robins)
4th House and garden shed burgled in Springfield Road, jewellery & tools stolen (PC Pete Robins)
10th Computers stolen from business unit on Quarry industrial estate (PC Graham Briant)
27th Trailer stolen from Quarry industrial estate (PC Pete Robins)

MERE SOUTH BEAT
(EAST KNOYLE, WEST KNOYLE, SEMLEY, SEDGEHILL & WILLOUGHBY HEDGE)
Beat Officer: PC Jerry Wilkins
11th Industrial unit burgled overnight in Semley, cash box stolen (PC Jerry Wilkins)
20th 2 ceramic garden urns removed from garden in East Knoyle overnight (PC Jerry Wilkins)
21st 32 year old male arrested driving whilst disqualified on the A303 (PC Jerry Wilkins & PC Graham Briant)
23rd Attempt made to gain entry to an outbuilding at Sedgehill Thieves disturbed by shed alarm and made off empty handed! (PC Jerry Wilkins)

MERE NORTH BEAT
(GASPER, KILMINGTON, MAIDEN BRADLEY, NORTON FERRIS, STOURTON, WOLVERTON & ZEALS) Beat Officer: PC Steve Porter.
Steve has taken over the Mere North Beat from PC Dave Mills who has been posted to Westbury. He has previously served in the Royal Military Police and the Metropolitan Police and is a welcome addition to the team despite being a 'Geordie'.
19th Paint thrown over car and scratches to body work overnight at Westfields, suspect identified (PC Steve Porter)
28th Compressor stolen from a farmyard in Norton Ferris (PC Steve Porter )

If anyone has any information about any of the above listed crimes please give us a ring at Tisbury or Mere. Your help could lead to the apprehension of offenders or the recovery of property. If you would prefer to pass information anonymously (rewards are available) ring CRIMESTOPPERS.

TISBURY 01747-870203 / MERE 01747-860268
CONTROL ROOM 01722-411444
CRIMESTOPPERS 0800 555 111