A series of fraud and robbery incidents across Bournemouth has police urging the public to keep vigilant when in town at night.
Police have had multiple reports of incidents in the town centre where people would hand over their phones to a group of men in order to make an online payment to buy stuff such as nitrous oxide canisters, only to find that a number of fraudulent transactions have been made and their SIM or applications have been removed from their phone. Some victims have also reported being taken to cashpoint machines while drunk having their cash and cards stolen within the same area.
One incident was reported in the early hours of Sunday 22 August with three more later following on the night of Friday 27 to the early hours of Saturday 28 and one further incident being reported in the early hours of Sunday 29. These incidents reportedly took place in town including areas such as Horseshoe Common and The Triangle with the targeted victims being those who have been drinking significantly enough to have their personal details taken.
Two men aged 22 and 23 from London and a 20-year old man with no set home have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and fraud, they are currently helping detectives with their investigation into the incidents. The police have made a statement regarding the safety of the public: “We would like to urge members of the public to make sure they never hand their phones over to anyone on a night out and to ensure you look after members of your party who appear to be intoxicated and in a vulnerable state”.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55210138944. Alternatively, to stay 100 per cent anonymous, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or call Freephone 0800 555 111.