No safer place to live in England - Dorset Police

Eastern
As you get older, you are given more
freedom to do things and go places, which
means exposure to more danger and the
opportunity to take more risks. You are
expected to look after yourself rather than
relying on other people.
Eastern Division of Dorset Police has a Safe
Schools and Communities Team, which among
other things, spends a great deal of time
working with young people, from middle school
age to those in their late teens and early 20s.
They target anti-social behaviour issues such
as truancy, alcohol and substance misuse and
bullying. And they are there to give advice.
Here, Safer Dorset shares some advice from
the team - perhaps it’s common sense, perhaps
you know it all already. Read on and find out...
Mini motorcycle
Mini-Motorcycles: The Law
and You
With the increasing anti-social and illegal use of minimotorcycles,
Dorset Police takes positive action against
anyone found breaking the law on these vehicles - so it’s
worth you knowing what the rules are.
It is an offence, for example, to drive a mechanically
propelled vehicle off road on public land, footpaths or
bridleways. This includes pavements, cycle routes, in the
park, or bridleways.
To use a mini-motorcycle you must:
●●● Be over 16 yeas of age
●●● Have at least a provisional driving licence
●●● Wear an approved helmet
●●● Have tax and insurance
●●● Have undergone compulsory basic training
●●● Ensure the bike has a number plate and sufficient
tread on the tyres
●●● Not ride a bike on private land unless you have the
full permission of the landowner
Before you decide to purchase a mini motorcycle, please
visit the Dorset Police web site www.dorset.police.uk for
further information on the rules and off-road motorcycling.
Know the facts
People try drugs for all sorts of reasons
but there are consequences.
Remember:
●●● Some young people do die from drug
use even when they are not
considered addicts
●●● Taking drugs can develop into a pattern and for some it
interferes with their life and relationships
●●● Drug taking is expensive
●●● Risks are real and some cannot be avoided
●●● It’s worth getting the facts straight, from reliable sources
you trust
●●● It is a criminal offence to possess any controlled drug (a
prescription is needed for some) and punishments are
more serious for Class A drugs.
As for alcohol, it’s not only the physical effects that could be
Don’t lose out to thieves
The popularity of MP3 players and mobile phones has fuelled
a sharp rise in street robbery - it’s up to you to take the steps
necessary to secure your property, even at school or college.
Popular mobile phones and MP3 players
How can I reduce the risk of being targeted?
A thief will always go for the easy option. Mobile phone and
MP3 crime tends to happen at night, in the dark and in town
centres. Often robberies occur while someone is using their
phone, listening to their MP3 or texting.
Here are some simple guidelines to follow to prevent yourself
from being a victim of crime.
harmful if you drink to excess, it’s the risks you might be
taking if you lose control and judgement.
Remember:
Mobile Phones
■ Be vigilant. Know what’s going on around you. Try not to
use your phone if you can help it in higher risk areas. If you
do use it, make the calls short and don’t get into a long
conversation, which could make you less aware of what’s
going on around you. It will also draw attention to an
attacker that you have a mobile.
■ Keep your phone hidden and separate to other possessions.
■ If you are out at night always use your phone in a well-lit
area.
■ Give your number to trusted friends only.
■ If your phone is stolen - call ‘IMMOBILISE’ on
08701 123123
iPods/MP3/Pager
■ Always keep in a safe place like: inside pockets of coats,
jackets etc
■ Try not to flash your iPod around for others to see.
■ Don’t leave bags or rucksacks unattended with iPods in.
■ If at school lock iPods away in a locker whilst in lessons,
or give it to a teacher to look after.
Bicycle Security
●●● Know how strong your drink is
●●● Make sure you get your own drink and don’t
let anyone spike it
●●● Drink slowly and have something to eat before drinking
●●● Don’t mix drink and other drugs, even medicines
●●● Stop when you know you’ve had enough. Once you’ve
got alcohol in your system it can be harder to make the
right decision. Keep track of the units you’ve had and use
this to work out when to stop.
●●● Agree among your friends that you’ll look out for each
other. If you are going out in a group agree that one
person will not drink at all
●●● If you think you’ve got a problem, ask for help.
Want to know more? Log onto www.talktofrank.com
■ Always carry a chain and padlock or bike lock to lock your
bike up securely
■ Always try to use a strong anchor point to secure your
bike to
■ Lock the wheels and other detachable parts
■ Keep a record of the make/model, frame number and colour
of your bike
■ Property mark your bike by putting your postcode on the
frame in a clearly visible position
Remember
Remember!
We are appealing for the help of all young
people to design a poster for Bonfire Night.
The competition is open to all children
across the county between the ages of 5 and
16. The theme of the poster is up to you, but
it should be based around some sort of
message - for example, a message
reminding people of the danger of fireworks,
or that people and animals can find them
frightening.
The competition will be judged in two
categories: Ages 5 to 10 and 11 to 16.
One drawing will be chosen from each age
category and, out of these two drawings,
one will be the winner, the other will be the
runner-up.
The winner of the competition will receive a
framed edition of their artwork, a visit to
Dorset Police Headquarters plus a gift
voucher worth £25, and the runner-up will
receive a gift voucher worth £15.
To enter the competition, all you have to do
is send your drawing to: The Public
Relations Department, Media & Corporate
Communication Department, Dorset Police
Force HQ, Winfrith, Dorchester DT2 8DZ.
Please send A4 drawings
only and ensure that your
name, age, address and
telephone number are
included on the back of the
drawing. The closing date
for the competition is
Friday 7 September 2007.
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