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Dorset Police is committed to delivering exceptional local policing, putting local communities at the heart of everything we do and to providing a safe county for everyone.
Each ward area has a dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by a Neighbourhood Enforcement team and Rural crime team that collaborate with partners and stakeholders to target activity, tackling issues that are important to local communities.
We are committed to ensuring our teams are visible, connected, and accessible, through regular engagement opportunities.
To view our pledge to support your area, please select Neighbourhood Engagement Commitment (NEC). If you'd like to receive regular updates about what we're doing in your area, sign up to Dorset Alert.
Shoplifting & associated Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
Location:
Trinity Street and South Street
Issue:
Offenders are targeting local businesses causing harm to staff, customers and the wider community
Planned action to tackle this issue:
- Targeted high-visibility patrols at key times and locations
- Monthly deployment of the Mobile Police Station (MPS) in the town centre
- Plain clothed operations
- Multi-agency working with the BID and local business owners
Issued 01 April 2026
June update:
- The team have conducted over 1,000 minutes of targeted patrols in the town centre at key times during May
- The Mobile Police Station was deployed at Cornhill on the 5th of May for two hours so people could speak directly with local officers
- Using intelligence and data to monitor repeat victims/locations and offenders
May update:
- The team have conducted over 1,300 minutes of targeted patrols in the town centre at key times during April
- The Mobile Police Station was deployed at Cornhill on the 7th of April for two hours so people could speak directly with local officers
- We have conducted some targeted "plain clothes" operations in the town centre
- We have above 40% positive outcome rate for all NPT crime over the last 12 months
April update:
This issue remains a local priority for the team due to the harm it causes to the local community and we will continue to focus our efforts in the area
During March/April, the team conducted 31 separate targeted patrols in the town centre at key times and the Mobile Police Station was deployed at Cornhill on the 3rd of March for two hours so people could speak directly with local officers
March update:
- The team have conducted 22 separate targeted patrols in the town centre at key times during February
- The Mobile Police Station was deployed at Cornhill on the 3rd of February for two hours so people could speak directly with local officers
February update:
- The team have conducted 19 separate targeted patrols in the town centre at key times during January
- The Mobile Police Station was deployed at Cornhill on the 6th of January for two hours so people could speak directly with local officers
- We have been working alongside partner agencies in relation to rough sleeping in the area
Actioned 30 June 2026
Drug activity
Location:
Dorchester (east side of the town)
Issue:
The local community has highlighted that drug use/dealing is a notable issue in the area causing concern to residents.
Planned action to tackle this issue:
- Plain clothed operations and use of covert policing tactics
- Targeted high-visibility patrols at key times and locations
- Stop searches where appropriate
*Proactive response to community intelligence
Issued 01 April 2026
June update:
- Proactively working with partner agencies to provide a long-term and sustainable outcome to this issue
- Intelligence from the local community is still being reviewed to direct patrols and other proactive work
May update:
- We conducted 2 warrants at Holbaek Close and a search of a vehicle linked to the addresses resulted in a large amount of cannabis and Class A drugs being found and seize
- Ongoing community intelligence being obtained and reviewed to direct proactive work from the team
- Enhanced support provided from the Force Support Group and Regional Disruption Team
Actioned 30 June 2026