DFAA  Homewatch   1.4.10  Chesil Bank Ward
Weekly Crime Report   25.3.10 - 1.4.10

Crimes

A 36 foot aluminium ladder and other items were stolen from an open barn in Langton Herring between the 16th and 30th March

Across the Area

1.    I wish to draw your attention to three offences that have occurred in the area during the past week.
Six sheds or outbuildings have been broken into with gardening equipment having been stolen on most occasions. It is not unusual for there to be an increase in this type of crime during the spring and you are asked to ensure you have adequate security and that you consider property marking your tools.  Many people property mark their tools, lawnmowers etc by painting their postcode and house number or first two letters of their house name on them.

2.    An attempt was made to break into the parish church at Compton Valence during the past week.  No similar offences have yet been reported but everyone who lives near a church is asked to be aware of this occurrence and to report suspicious people as we don't want this to be the start of a crime series.

3.    Four purses were stolen in the town centre on Saturday 27th March. The victims were all ladies who weren't aware that somebody had removed their purse from their shopping bag, coat pocket etc.  This is an ongoing nationwide problem that comes to Dorchester from time to time.  Please don't become another victim of crime - don't invite crime by leaving purses on show in shopping bags or coat pockets.

A reminder that your Safer Neighbourhood Police Officers are:-
Sgt Steve Yeoman, PC Sandy Redford and PCSO Sarah Pilcher
Call them at Dorset Police on: 01305 222 222 or on our team mobile: 07500 816292
 Please only use the numbers above for non-emergency calls. If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, please dial 999.

If you have any information regarding this message please call the Dorset Police on 01202/01305 222222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Thank you
.
Dorset Police Ringmaster Circulation.

The Sky in April

Now the clocks have gone forward an hour and as the summer approaches the sky will not darken till later and the nights become shorter. This does mean staying up later to view the night sky and getting up earlier to see the pre-dawn sky. On the plus side the nights should be warmer and viewing the stars less of an ordeal.

Chairs! - Days of Penance and Numbness are numb-ered

A successful fundraising  Easter Bingo event at the community hall on Saturday 27^th March which was in aid of more comfy chairs produced a profit equivalent to the purchase of 10 padded chairs (almost a row!).

And there's more! We have since had a lady who attended the event offer to donate some money in aid of the chairs, and we wondered if there were others out there who perhaps couldn't attend the fundraising event who might feel inclined to do the same. It could mean a swifter end to numb bums and the feeling that you must have done something terrible in a previous life to have to serve penance sitting on chairs more suited to the classroom of Wackford Squeers in Dickens's Nicholas Nickleby.

If you would like to contribute towards more comfy chairs at the hall, please contact David or Wendy Taylor on 482532. This is a chance to leave your numbness forever behind you. Let's hear it for the chairs!

More groups

Three more study groups planned

Bridport & District U3A, one of the fastest growing in the South West, is looking to set up another three study groups, while total membership has climbed to 125.

Since its launch in January, the U3A, which also covers Beaminster, Burton Bradstock and surrounding villages, has started 21 groups, ranging from bird watching, maths for fun, meditation, and the world of Jane Austen.

The meeting was chaired by Oliver Letwin MP with guests Jane McCloskey - Head of BBC South West, Simon Clemison - BBC and Bill Taylor - SW manager Digital UK.

We were delighted to hear of new BBC hires to help cover Dorset!