SNT newsletter Rural East Dorset

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1 SNT newsletter Rural East Dorset March 2015 Safer Neighbourhoods is a commitment by Dorset Police to improving the quality of life within our communities by working together with partners to target the issues identified by you - local people - as those that matter most. There are a number of opportunities that the Safer Neighbourhood Team in your area will provide, on an ongoing basis, for you to voice your concerns. Get in touch with your team today to find out how you can raise your issues. This is your chance to influence the service that we, the police, and our partners, provide. Your opinions are important to us and this process will not work without you. Your local Safer Neighbourhood Team PS Nick Lee PC Tom Clements PCSO Andy Flanagan PCSO Lou Hamilton PCSO Steve Willis If a crime is in progress, or life in danger, dial 999.

2 Current priorities - You are telling us that the following issues are a priority in your area 1. Speeding across Rural East Dorset As an on-going issue we will continue to conduct roadside speed checks across the area to enforce speed limits and educate drivers, as we are continuing to receive numerous calls of complaint regarding speeding. We now have three Community Speed Watch groups up and running in Alderholt, Sixpenny Handley and Gaunts Common. 2. Theft from outbuildings, sheds and garages As this is still a concern in the rural villages, we shall keep this as a priority. We will continue to patrol and continue to have support from patrol officers. The Safer Neighbourhood Team will continue to visit all victims of crime and also conduct joint visits with our Crime Prevention Officer, Debbie Oldfield to provide security advice to any residents in the rural villages. Up coming events in your area SNT Surgery - This is an opportunity to meet with your local Safer Neighbourhood Team, whether you want to pass on any information or raise any concerns or issues that you may have. These are subject to be cancelled if an emergency that requires Police attention arises. Stewarts Garden Centre, Holt. First Wednesday of every month Cranborne Manor Garden Centre Tea Rooms,Cranborne. First Tuesday of every month Forest Edge Coffee Shop, Alderholt. First Wednesday of every month. Witchampton Village Shop. Last Wednesday of every month 11am 12noon 6D Handley Parish Office First and Third Thursday of every month

3 NEWS IN YOUR AREA East Dorset Rural Crime Profile 1 st February th February 2015 Theft 3 Burglary Dwelling 2 Burglary Other 1 Criminal Damage 2 Theft from Vehicle 1 Theft of Motor Vehicle 0 ASB During the month of February we received 1 call regarding anti-social behaviour, relating to nuisance phone calls. PC Tom Clements in February located 2 males parked up in a vehicle in Kings Lane, Woodlands one of which was in possession of cannabis, and dealt with appropriately. Many thanks to all who contacted us. Drug Driving It is illegal to drive if your driving is impaired by drugs or if you have certain drugs above a specified level in your blood. This applies to prescribed medication or over-the-counter products as well as illegal substances. In fact, driving while unfit through drugs is just as dangerous as drink driving. The effects of some drugs can last for some time after use. If the police stop you and think you re on drugs they will either test you at the roadside using a drug screening device or a "Field Impairment" test to assess your ability to drive. If drugs are detected in your system or you are deemed impaired by drugs, you ll be arrested and taken to a police station for blood or urine tests. If the tests show you've taken drugs or show a specified drug above the specified blood limits you could be charged with drug driving. You don't have to be on illegal drugs to be impaired to drive prescription or over-thecounter medicines can also impair your ability to drive. If you re taking medicines, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional before driving. Changes to the drug driving law On 2 March 2015 the drug driving law changed to make it easier for the police to catch and convict drug drivers.

4 It is now an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood - just as it is with drink driving. Sixteen legal and illegal drugs are covered by the law, including cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine. The limits for all illegal drugs are extremely low taking even a very small amount of an illegal drug could put you over the limit. The new offence will work alongside the existing offence of driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs Ways in which drugs can affect driving include: slower reaction times poor concentration sleepiness/fatigue confused thinking distorted perception over-confidence The consequences The penalties for drug driving are the same as for drink driving. If you are convicted you will receive: A minimum 12-month driving ban A criminal record A fine of up to 5000 or up to 6 months in prison or both The consequences of a drug drive conviction are far reaching and can include: Job loss Loss of independence The shame of having a criminal record Increase in car insurance costs Trouble getting in to countries like the USA If you suspect someone is driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs then you should always report them to the police by calling 999. You could save someone s life. If you want to know more follow the link:

5 Table of drugs and limits The recommended limits for 16 different drugs have now been approved with 8 generally prescription and 8 illicit drugs added into new regulations that will come into force on 2 March 2015 in England and Wales. Illegal drugs ( accidental exposure zero tolerance approach) benzoylecgonine cocaine delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol (cannabis) ketamine lysergic acid diethylamide methylamphetamine MDMA 6-monoacetylmorphine (heroin) Threshold limit in blood 50µg/L 10µg/L 2µg/L 20µg/L 1µg/L 10µg/L 10µg/L 5µg/L Medicinal drugs (risk based approach) amphetamine (regulations were recently laid with the proposed limit and expected to come into force after 2 March 2015) clonazepam diazepam flunitrazepam lorazepam methadone morphine oxazepam temazepam Threshold limit in blood 250µg/L 50µg/L 550µg/L 300µg/L 100µg/L 500µg/L 80µg/L 300µg/L 1,000µg/L

6 How will the new laws affect you if you re taking prescription medicines? You should continue to take your medicine(s) as advised by your doctor or healthcare professional, or according to the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine. The new law will give the police powers to test and arrest drivers who are suspected of driving having taken certain controlled drugs in excess of specified levels. Unlike the existing impairment offence, the new law provides a medical defense if you re taking your medicine in accordance with instructions either from a healthcare professional or printed in the accompanying leaflet provided, of course, you re not impaired. If you re driving and you re on prescription medicine, it may therefore be helpful for you to keep some evidence of this with you in case you re stopped by the police. Dorset Police would like to make you aware of a current telephone scam of persons reporting to be from your bank or the Police. They will tell you that your bank card details have been used fraudulently.

7 They will then suggest that you hang up and ring the bank/police back to ensure the call is genuine. Don't be fooled - they stay on the line. They then tell you to read out or key in your pin. They will then send a taxi/courier to you to collect your bank card. With this and your pin, they spend your money. Just remember: Your bank or the Police will NEVER ask for your PIN or bank card - don't give them to anybody! If you have been a victim of this crime call the Police on 101 quoting Op Luna. How to contact your team Telephone: 101 If a crime is in progress or life in danger dial ruraleastdorsetsnt@dorset.pnn.police.uk Go to: