Dorset Police has brought a new Bobby Van initiative to the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area to support vulnerable burglary victims.
The initiative will allow security operatives to visit the homes of victims and pass on advice about safety measures to prevent them from being a repeat victim.
BUzz news spoke to Ameile Margout, a victim of burglary in Bournemouth, about how this new scheme has helped her.
She said: “Before this, I felt like it wasn’t a big deal, I just brushed it off. But now I feel like there’s people who want to help us who actually recognise how bad it must feel, and it has made me realise I am allowed to feel bad about it.”
The operation will also be able to check and upgrade door locks, fit door chains and viewers as well as install window locks free of charge for anyone that needs it.
Ms Margout added: “I feel like they really got into the heads of the victims and thought, what are they unsure about and what can we do about it, because the lock thing was something I was worried about for a long time, and if someone wanted to get in, they could do so without much trouble.”
The van will offer advice on any further prevention options that are appropriate for the victim’s circumstances.
Dorset Police hope that the scheme will expand to other areas of the county and support victims of other crimes, through donations to the charity.
Members of the public can make donations to support the Bobby Van’s work though the Safer Dorset Foundation via the website www.dorsetbobbyvan.co.uk
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