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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.
Poaching and associated offending
Location:
Sixpenny Handley
Issue:
Poaching activity has re-emerged within the area and is being accompanied by related offences, including the intimidation of farmers and landowners, criminal damage, and the use of catapults. This behaviour is having a significant impact on the rural community, causing concern, distress and fear of crime among those affected.
Planned action to tackle this issue:
- A seasonal winter plan has been activated to tackle winter rural offending.
- Operation Ragwort is in place which sees regional forces come together to tackle organised rural crime.
- Operational Galileo is also in effect to solely tackle poaching.
- There is a use of proactive policing powers to maximise disruption, prevent offending and bring offenders to justice
- Engage with all elements of the community with visible connected policing
Issued 01 October 2026
October update:
- This is a newly refreshed priority for the area and updates will follow
Actioned 01 January 2027
Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
Location;
Various Locations across Verwood.
Issue:
While overall crime has reduced, reports of anti-social behaviour have increased. This continued rise is negatively affecting the quality of life of local residents and contributing to heightened perceptions and fear of crime across the area.
Planned action to tackle this issue:
- Work in partnership with the local authority and housing providers to address anti-social behaviour and its underlying causes.
- Engage with local schools to educate young people about the impact of anti-social behaviour on individuals and the wider community.
- Continue to encourage reporting and engage with the public through community contact points, face-to-face engagement, and online channels.
- Work with the local authority and Youth Offending Team to identify appropriate interventions and deliver consequences for children involved in anti-social behaviour.
- Develop intelligence and take positive action against those responsible for persistent anti-social behaviour.
- Provide visible patrols and targeted engagement to reassure residents and address community concerns.
Issued 01 October 2026
October update:
- This is a newly refreshed priority for the area and updates will follow
Actioned 01 January 2027