Our local Safer Neighbourhood officers are reaching out to reassure the public following rumours of gangs stealing dogs in the New Mills, Chapel and Whaley Bridge area on Facebook.

Photos of vans have been circulating on the social media site alongside claims that dogs are being stolen, but they aren’t aware of any reports to police of dog thefts in the New Mills, Chapel and Whaley Bridge over the last few weeks.

PCSO Tracy Jones of the Whaley Bridge Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Understandably, the posts are making people feel quite concerned but we haven’t had any reports to the police of this nature, where dogs have being stolen in the New Mills, Chapel and Whaley Bridge during the past few weeks.

“Having your dog stolen would be extremely distressing though, so if you are a pet owner and feel worried about your dog being stolen then there are some simple measures you can take from keeping your home and garden secure, not leaving your pet tied up and unattended.

“Ensure your dog is microchipped, and your registered details are up to date, and when in public that your dog is wearing a collar and ID tag.”

PCSO Jones added: “If think your dog has been stolen, check with any family or friends who have access to see if they have taken the dog out, and then call the police. You should also report any suspicious activity to us.”

“If you have lost your dog, or have found a dog, call High Peak Borough Council as they keep a record of all dogs lost and found.”

To report your dog as lost to High Peak Borough Council, call 0345 129 4870. You can find out more information about their dog control service on the website, www.highpeak.gov.uk.

To report suspicious activity, or a stolen dog, call 101 the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police, except in an emergency when a crime is being committed, then the number is 999.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of breaking in to a shed and a garage, and stealing from cars in the Whaley Bridge area during Christmas Eve and in the early hours of Christmas Day.

The incidents took place on Shallcross Mill Road, Walters Wood, Elnor Lane and Chapel Road.

Officers from the High Peak Crime Action Team have been carrying out inquiries.

The men, aged 46 and 44 and both from Tameside, have been arrested, questioned and have currently been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

If you have any information relating to these incidents please call either PC Sherry Kenyon or PC Hayley Repton on 101, or send them a message online through the Contact Us page of the website, by clicking here.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Whaley Bridge Football Club (Junior/Senior) has made an application to the Tesco Bags of Help Grant Scheme to replace their worn out sit-on ‘garden’ mower with one that is more suited to the rigors of maintaining grass football pitches; they hope to procure a tractor that can tow/incorporate heavier equipment to deal with more than just simply cutting the grass.

Voting will take place from Thursday 1st March to Monday 30th April 2018 in your local Whaley Bridge Tesco store and Buxton’s Tesco Express.

Whaley Bridge AFC Chair, Steve Rampley says: “Please use your tokens to support your local football club; our fully qualified volunteer coaches manage all ages from 5 right through to senior level but without the means to maintain the pitches WBAFC, seniors and juniors, would find it very difficult to continue to support the community as it does now.”

Please remember to ask for your complimentary token when you check-out at Tesco.

Derbyshire Constabulary will be holding a drop in session at Footsteps, Market Street, Whaley Bridge on Sat 3^rd Feb between 11am -2pm for any residents to come and speak to us regarding the recent burglaries and any other security advice

Photos courtesy of Peter Cull

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