Dorset Police launch scheme to catch hotel criminals
Hotels can be used as a base for criminal operations
Dorset Police is supporting hotels across the county to spot the signs of crime and protect vulnerable people as they prepare to reopen across the county.
The four videos aim to educate hotel staff on what to look out for in relation to county lines, child exploitation, human trafficking and cyber crime.
Hotels are being encouraged to make sure their teams are prepared ahead of Stage Three of the roadmap out of lockdown, currently expected to come into place on Monday 17 May 2021.
These videos have been shared with the hotel community through the Hotel Watch initiative, set up as a partnership with Dorset Police to share information, promote safeguarding, and increase safety and security within hotels.
Criminals engaged in drug dealing, child exploitation and human trafficking activities often take advantage of vulnerable people. They are put into situations that can be dangerous or cause significant problems for them personally, socially or mentally.
Small and medium businesses are frequently the targets of cyber crime, and it now costs the UK around ÂŁ1bn every six months.
Sergeant Daniel Cullen, of Dorset Police, said:
"Dorset Police is committed to supporting our partners in the hospitality sector to make their businesses safe and free from these types of criminality. Ahead of hotels and other accommodation reopening at Step Three of the roadmap out of lockdown, we want to help staff and owners as much as we can.
"Due to the nature of the crimes that tend to happen in these environments, often it involves criminals taking advantage of vulnerable people. We have to stop this happening and must work with our partners to protect those who are often unable to protect themselves."
The videos, which were funded and produced by the Office of the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, were filmed at Marsham Court Hotel in Bournemouth. Owner and Director Rosie Radwell said:
"Hotel Watch has been great at helping hotels communicate issues.
"What happens at one hotel may very well be happening at another, and the new information videos can give our staff some knowledge about what to look out for so they don't ignore the signs of illegal activity.
"This scheme enables us to grow as a closer knit community and by all working together we will reduce crime across the conurbation."
For more information about Hotel Watch, and to view the videos, visit the Dorset Police website at www.dorset.police.uk/hotelwatch.