A lot of the crime in Dorset is highly organised, especially when it comes to rural crime and that is why I invested heavily in the resourcing of our Rural Crime Team who have been successful in taking the fight to criminals.

I am pleased to share that Dorset Police recently recovered a digger from Poland that was stolen here six months ago, thanks to help from the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team, National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, Polish Police and Interpol.

This is yet another example of Dorset Police working ‘without borders’ and making the very best of a joined-up, multi-agency approach to tackling crime.

This collaborative strategy has been enhanced since 2021 through the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime, consisting of local and national organisations that have experts in specific areas relating to rural crime.

I strongly urge farmers to use machinery marking kits which help authorities identify stolen items and get them back to the rightful owner. My office recently funded 950 theft prevention. These packs included marking kits for Dorset farmers, which are proven to reduce theft by up to 83%.

Last week, the Rural Crime Team also generated intelligence of a stolen motorhome being sold online. With limited information, the team were out hunting for the vehicle and located the motorhome in Templecombe. It was identified as stolen in Derbyshire, and an investigation has begun into those responsible for its theft.

Onto another important issue, waste crime. Since April, I have partially funded a Waste Enforcement officer role at Dorset Council to get out and search for evidence linking illegal dumps to perpetrators, which has proven highly effective.

Dorset Council issued double the amount of fixed penalty notices (24) in the five months after the officer began work, compared to the five months before commencement.

Penalties were given to households for illegal dumping of garden and household waste which could have been disposed of via bin collections, or taken to one of the county’s 13 recycling centres free of charge.

Action was also taken against organised criminals throwing old bathrooms and construction rubble in forests and on roads. Illegally dumped waste costs the taxpayer, but also has a detrimental impact on environment and wildlife.

The Environment Agency is leading an investigation with help from Dorset Police and Dorset Council, into a possible illegal waste site in Verwood. Evidence was found of domestic waste, including electrical goods, furniture and garden waste, some of which had been burnt, meaning pollutants have been emitted into the environment.

Organised waste crime groups must be aware that their behaviour will not be tolerated in this county. Tougher penalties will act as a stronger deterrent and I will continue to lobby government to introduce stricter punishments that the police can enforce.

My office and Dorset Police will also continue to strengthen links with partner agencies to enhance data sharing, evidence gathering and forensic capacity, to identify waste crime criminals.

We are continuing to work closely with organisations from the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime. Dorset Dogs are doing great work to educate people on how to walk their pets responsibly at Hengistbury Head so wildlife is undisturbed.

Meanwhile, information is being spread about how dog owners can support the protection of rare nesting birds in Poole Harbour that are struggling to survive.

Dorset Police are also celebrating one year of rural mounted volunteers. The initiative sees horse riders receive specialist training so they can act as the Rural Crime Team’s eyes and ears, looking for crimes or suspicious activity while out enjoying their hobby. They effectively act as a Neighbourhood Watch, reporting incidents and accessing places where vehicles can’t reach. We now have a strong coverage across Dorset with 16 riders, although we are still looking to boost this.

Our multi-agency approach has yielded many positive outcomes this year, so I want to thank my office and Dorset Police officers for their continued dedication. Tackling crime is a collective effort and together, we will beat the gangs causing misery and profiting from criminality in our county and beyond. They don’t see borders and nor do the police.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner