Neighbourhood Alert Reports
These reports are as received from the Police Cooordinators, and not edited
by me
September 13, 2025
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Mobile Police Station - Highcliffe Cliff Top Car Park : Thu 18 Sep 11:00
The Dorset Police mobile Police station will be at:
When and Where?
Thu 18 Sep 2025 11:00 - 13:00
Highcliffe Cliff Top Car Park,
Christchurch
BH23 5DF
///spelled.quicksand.flow
Local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be available for you to:
Speak face to face about any concerns in your community
Report crimes or issues (in addition to using the 101-phone service or reporting online
Receive crime prevention advice
This is an opportunity to meet your local neighbourhood policing team and raise matters that are important to you. No appointment is needed - simply drop by.
For any other enquiries, please visit a Dorset Police front office counter in Bournemouth, Weymouth, or Blandford - details of these are available on the website.
The mobile police station will continue to tour locations across Dorset each month.
Message Sent By:
Dom Smith
(Dorset Police, NEO 5390, Bournemouth Christchurch Poole)
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Your Voice Matters - Take Part
This Dorset Alert message has been sent on behalf of your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
One of the roles of our local Neighbourhood Policing Teams is to work towards community priorities, the community inform us about.
To set our priorities we look at our police systems, use our local knowledge and invite the public to complete a short survey.
Whilst each option on the survey is important, and the teams work toward tackling all the options, it is important to see what the local communities would select as their top three.
Our priorities are due to be updated during October, and the survey will close on Monday 15th September 2025, for this set of priorities. If you would like to feed into our local priorities for your area, you can do so by following the link…
Click Here To Take Part
Thank you
Message Sent By:
Dorset Neighbourhood Engagement Team
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Your Voice, Your Safety, Your Dorset
As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I want to hear directly from you.
My Annual Survey is now live, and it's your chance to share your views on policing and community safety here in Dorset. Whether it’s how safe you feel in your neighbourhood, how connected you feel to Dorset Police, or how well you think police resources are being used — your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the work of Dorset Police.
Since being re-elected for a second term, I’ve updated my Police and Crime Plan to reflect the progress we’ve made so far, as well as the changing local, regional, and national landscape. That updated plan has now been in place for a year — and now I want to take stock. Has it made a difference? What’s improved? What still needs more focus?
As your voice in policing, I need to understand what really matters to you and which types of crime are affecting your community. Your answers will help guide the priorities and direction of the work of my office over the coming months and years.
Building confidence in policing is essential – especially in today’s world where misinformation and inaccurate commentary can snowball. I know trust is earned and that’s why by completing this year’s survey, you’re helping to hold policing to account.
Your voice matters. Thank you for taking the time to share it. Your Voice, Your Safety, Your Dorset.
Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/DorsetAlert25
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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September 10, 2025
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Mobile Police Station - Christchurch Retail Park : Tue 16 Sep 11:00
The Dorset Police mobile Police station will be at:
When and Where?
Tue 16 Sep 2025 11:00 - 13:00
Christchurch Retail Park, Bailey Drive
Christchurch
BH23 2BN
///trip.dust.invest
Local Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will be available for you to:
Speak face to face about any concerns in your community
Report crimes or issues (in addition to using the 101-phone service or reporting online
Receive crime prevention advice
This is an opportunity to meet your local neighbourhood policing team and raise matters that are important to you. No appointment is needed - simply drop by.
For any other enquiries, please visit a Dorset Police front office counter in Bournemouth, Weymouth, or Blandford - details of these are available on the website.
The mobile police station will continue to tour locations across Dorset each month.
Message Sent By:
Dom Smith
(Dorset Police, NEO 5390, Bournemouth Christchurch Poole)
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Force launches mobile police stations to engage with residents in the heart
of communities
Dorset Police has launched two new mobile police stations, which will tour the county at consistent locations and dates throughout the month.
The vehicles are operated by police community support officers with members of the public able to report crime, anti-social behaviour, intelligence or suspicious incidents, receive crime prevention advice or raise any policing related concerns to their neighbourhood team.
The western vehicle, based at Dorchester, will visit the Cornhill Market area of Dorchester on the first Tuesday of the month, Sherborne Co-op at Westbridge Park on the first Thursday, Bridport Morrisons on the second Tuesday, Marine Parade in Lyme Regis on the second Thursday, the main beach car park in Swanage on the third Tuesday and finally Streche Road car park in Wareham every third Thursday of the month.
Meanwhile the eastern vehicle, based at Ferndown, will visit Sainsbury’s Ferndown on the first Tuesday of the month, Verwood Memorial Hall on the first Thursday, the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne on the second Tuesday, Shaftesbury Lidl on the second Thursday, Christchurch retail park on the third Thursday and finally Highcliffe Cliff Top car park on the third Thursday of the month.
The vehicles will be at each location between 11am and 1pm each day but times are subject to change – outside of these events they will be attending various engagement events across the county. Members of the public can find out the latest updates on any change to these times via the Force’s website – www.dorset.police.uk/MPS
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “We’ve been working hard over the last few months to bring these two mobile police stations to locations that see high footfall in some of our more rural locations to ensure as many people as possible have access to a member of their local neighbourhood policing team.
“The vehicles will operate throughout the year, come rain or shine and include an awning and inside seating area for any member of the public who may wish to discuss a matter more discretely.
“This new way to engage with us builds on the success of the hundreds of pop-up community contact points held across the Force throughout the year.
“With mobile police stations, community contact points, the online website portal, calls to 101 and 999 in an emergency, request a call back facility, social media channels for every area across the Force, as well as enquiry offices at Bournemouth, Weymouth and Blandford, there is a range of options for members of the public to engage with us.
Supported by community infrastructure levy funding from Dorset Council, the eastern vehicle is fully electric helping to support the Force’s ambitions to utilise environmentally friendly options where appropriate.
Cllr Richard Biggs, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth at Dorset Council said: “It was great to look round both Mobile Police Station vehicles and in particular the electric vehicle supplied via developer contributions. I know they it has already been put to great use in our communities in the east of the county and very well received.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: “I am really pleased to see these two mobile police stations now in action.
“While the way the public engage with policing is constantly changing, I know the one constant people want to see is more officers, staff and volunteers out and about, ready to talk to them and listen to their concerns – and these vehicles will enable Dorset Police to do just that.
“As well as delivering on my Police and Crime Plan commitment to Make Policing More Visible and Connected, I am pleased to have made good on my pledge to bring policing closer to people. In this instance, these mobile police stations will be where the people are – not in remote buildings which are hard to reach, but in busy areas, which are easily accessible.
“Having set days for mobile police station visits each month mean the public know where and when they can speak to an officer, and this builds upon the success of the pop-up Community Contact Points which have already proved their worth.
“While Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country, it is vital that people feel safe, and I hope having a consistent, regular opportunity to raise issues and discuss concerns with officers demonstrates our commitment to listening and providing a reassuring and visible presence across our county.”
Members of the public are encouraged to follow their local policing team on social media or visit the Dorset Police website for the latest updates on the mobile police stations and neighbourhood policing activity in their area.
Message Sent By:
Kristian Ward
(Dorset Police, Corporate Communications, Dorset)
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Warning to #ProtectYourPension from fraud.
Savers and those reaching retirement age are being warned to protect their pensions and look out for criminals trying to catch people out of their life savings, with Action Fraud revealing a total annual loss of £17,567,249. This equates to roughly £48,129 lost to this type of fraud per day in 2024.
Data reveals there were 519 reports of pension fraud in total and £17,567,249 lost in 2024, with an average loss of £33,848 per person.
Action Fraud, with support from the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG), launched a pension fraud awareness campaign, warning people to take extra measures to protect their pension scheme accounts and to be cautious of investment opportunity offers from criminals that could be targeting them.
How can you protect yourself against Pension fraud?
Secure your online pension account: the account you use to manage your pension should have a different password to all of your other accounts. Use three random words to create a strong and memorable password, and enable 2-step verification (2SV).
Ignore unsolicited calls about your pension: cold calling about pensions is illegal and likely a sign of a scam. If you’re thinking about changing your pension arrangements, you should get financial guidance or advice beforehand.
Investment opportunities: don’t be rushed into making an investment. Remember, legitimate organisations will never pressure you into investing on the spot.
You should treat investment opportunities with extreme caution if there’s:
Pressure to invest (for example: time-limited offers).
Downplayed risk of losing your money.
Promised returns that sound too good to be true.
Remember to Stop! Think Fraud and find more information on how to protect yourself from fraud here: Stop! Think Fraud - How to stay safe from scams
What can you do if you have been a victim of pension fraud?
Report pension scams: if you’re worried about a potential pension scam or you think you may have
been contacted by a criminal, report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
If you have made a payment: inform your bank or pension provider as soon as possible, they can help
you prevent any further losses. Monitor your bank and pension statements
regularly for any unusual activity.
Message Sent By:
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
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September 6, 2025
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Putting young people front and centre
When it comes to effectively tackling youth violence, early intervention
is key. Dealing with the issues before they present as violence is vital
and it takes much more than enforcement – it needs understanding and compassion
from a variety of partners, and most of all we need to be listening to
our young people and hearing what they tell us.
My Office’s Violence Reduction and Prevention Team have been working intensely on a Youth Participation Strategy, which not only puts young people at the heart of their work but looks at the ways and services which are best placed to work with young people. As part of this strategy, we have committed to providing a twice-yearly participation pack to capture young people’s views and opinions. I want to better understand children and young people’s experiences of serious violence and knife crime in Dorset and hear their ideas on how to improve safety for all our communities. Our focus brings together key data and lived experience to form a clearer picture and help us invest in initiatives to ensure Dorset remains one of the safest places to live, work and visit.
Earlier this year, the team shared the first survey and activity pack with partners across Dorset aimed at 10-25-year-olds on the theme of violence and knife crime. Promoted through school and club visits, the survey was also shared by local partners and on social media platforms in order to capture a range of views. With questions asking about perceptions of serious violence to suggestions as to what would make people feel safer, the results have been collated and will now lead to focus groups with young people to consider the next steps.
It is important to say that engagement is at the heart of this strategy. We need to bring young people closer to organisations such as the police and local authorities to foster trust and transparency, and young people need to know they are being listened to and their voices matter. I will be meeting with young people from both the BCP and Dorset county areas so they can question me directly on the issues they want answers to as part of this engagement. I also want to make clear that the findings of these surveys will not be seen in a vacuum; my team will continue to work alongside our partners and community organisations, investigating and analysing these findings against evidence and other feedback.
The results of the survey presented some interesting findings. Overall, the most popular response selected by those who completed the survey, was that serious violence and knife crime was not a problem where they live. This obviously varies in urban areas, particularly Bournemouth and of course this must be interpreted alongside the data we have as part of our evidence-led approach to serious violence. We must also ensure that we are listening to voices in the community and from other sectors to ensure we have a rounded picture. Nearly three quarters said they would tell a parent or family member if they knew their friend was carrying a knife, with the next most popular response being that they would tell the police – this accounted for nearly half of the answers. The respondents also thought peer pressure and drugs and alcohol were possibly reasons young people commit violent crime.
When it comes to how we go about making young people feel safer, the top three answers the respondents gave included more CCTV, better street lighting and more police in the community. When it came to the places most of the respondents said they felt unsafe, these were on the street, town centre and on public transport. I am pleased to say that as part of the Safer Streets funding received in the past two years, CCTV coverage in key areas has improved, with local authorities investing these funds into more cameras and better coverage. Communicating this is key, so young people can feel safer in public places. Also, following extra funding, even more officers will soon be out in our communities, providing even more of a visible presence where it’s needed, to build even more confidence. This is alongside the successful hotspot policing initiative Dorset Police have been running for the past two years, which has expanded into more areas across Dorset this year.
This work, seeking and listening to the views of young people is just the beginning but is a vital part of the work my Violence Reduction and Prevention team are undertaking. Building a positive relationship with young people in our county, ensuring we’re listening, and communicating in a way which works for them is crucial to improving confidence and trust for many years to come, which will ultimately make our county safer, not just now but for future generations.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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JAugust 30, 2025
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Violence Reduction and Prevention
Today, I would like to tell you more about the work of my Office’s Violence Reduction and Prevention team, and how this is helping to give young people in Dorset a voice in how we deal with serious violence in this county. Firstly, it is important to say that dealing with violent crime is a priority for Dorset Police, and for my Office. Priority three of my Police and Crime Plan focuses solely on Fighting Violent Crime and High harm, with strong commitments around violence reduction as well as related issues including addiction and substance misuse.
Alongside robust enforcement from Dorset Police and support for initiatives from the Force as well as projects in the community, I also work alongside key authorities in the delivery of the Serious Violence Duty (SVD), to ensure partners are delivering on all the requirements, alongside scrutinising spend and interventions. The SVD ensures councils and local services including Dorset Police work together to share information and target interventions to prevent and reduce serious violence. The positive impact of the initiatives funded through the SVD have also resulted in the full allocation being offered for the next year - good news for everyone in Dorset.
Moving onto my Violence Reduction and Prevention (VRP) team. This team was established to assess what is needed to respond to serious violence locally, and to identify the gaps in provision, while creating a strategy to drive forward our approach to reducing violence in Dorset. Since I came to Office in 2021, I have been lobbying government for a Violence Reduction Unit for Dorset. I must make clear that Dorset is a safe place – one of the safest in the country – and I want a VRU to ensure our county stays safe. Dorset is one of the five forces with the lowest number of knife crime offences in the country, and recent data shows violence against the person offences have fallen by more than four per cent – outperforming the national average. But I know the public remain rightly concerned about violence and knife crime in particular, and while young people choose to carry knives, there is still work to do - work which a VRU would tackle robustly and effectively.
While I continue to lobby and campaign for funding to bring a VRU to Dorset, my VRP team are laying the groundwork and ensuring everything possible is being done within our current capabilities. They are focused on tackling the drivers for serious violence – vulnerability and drugs. There are a number of ways this is being done. Firstly, by commissioning services which are shown to reduce serious violence by reducing vulnerability. In the next few weeks, I will be making an announcement about one of these exciting projects recently launched in Dorset.
When it comes to the second of these drivers – illegal drugs – this team also oversee the activity of the Dorset and BCP Combatting Drugs Partnership. This organisation, of which I am the Senior Responsible Officer, ensures enforcement action to disrupt the drugs market, works to improve access to treatment and recovery services, and co-ordinates education and awareness raising to prevent young people and adults engaging in substance abuse. As key drivers of violence, it is imperative illegal drugs and harmful substances, and vulnerability issues are tackled if we are to get to the root of the problem and intervene to ensure these offences continue to fall.
Alongside commissioning vital services and tackling the issues behind violence, the team use data and research to understand what is needed locally, so our support goes towards evidence-based interventions which will alleviate the issues in Dorset. One of the main concerns when it comes to violence, is around the prevalence in young people and the VRP team are actively engaging with young people in order to help shape our strategies to reduce serious violence and I will be detailing this further in an update next week. Through all of this, we work alongside our partners to ensure everything we are doing supports a collective response to be as effective as possible. Violent crime and knife crime cannot be solved through policing alone – the root grows across many different sectors, and it is only by working in partnership with organisations and the community will we reduce violent crime and ensure our county is a safe place to live, work and visit for everyone.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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JAugust 21, 2025
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PCC response to national media reports about Bournemouth
Dear Dorset Alert readers,
I wanted to share in full the statement that I have sent to the press today about how Bournemouth has been misrepresented in some of the national press recently. I wanted you to see the statement as it was sent and not what may end up edited in the papers.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
This summer dedicated Dorset Police officers, staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly to keep residents and visitors safe in our county. This exceptionally busy period is a particularly challenging time for Dorset Police, balancing the vast influx of day visitors and holidaymakers alongside daily policing demands. Our Force gets no extra funding for policing hundreds of thousands of extra people each year, there are no ‘spare’ police officers and staff to bring out for the summer season; it falls to under pressure officers, staff and volunteers to stretch themselves even further to cover this significant demand. I have said it countless times and I will keep saying that it remains a travesty that Dorset is the second lowest funded Force in the country, dealing with this level of seasonality, and my lobbying and campaigning will not stop until Dorset Police are given more resources to support our hardworking officers, staff and volunteers, and alleviate the pressure, especially during these peak times.
Despite the ongoing challenging funding situation, Dorset Police have ensured extra police patrols in our busiest areas, bolstering visibility in hotspots and increasing their engagement with the public. Targeted patrols in these crime hotspot areas, including in Bournemouth, have seen some terrific results, significantly reducing ASB and violent crime. As well as policing high-profile protests over the past few weeks, Dorset Police have worked relentlessly to ensure those living and visiting the area could go about their days safely, enjoying the glorious weather and attractions the area has to offer. A number of operations including Beach Beat, Op Track which focuses on anti-social behaviour and violent crime hotspots, Op Fireglow which focuses on youth hotspots including the Central and Lower Gardens, Op Nightjar, which supports the night-time economy, keeping people calm and safe after dark and Op Vigilant which sees covert officers patrolling and flagging suspicious behaviour of potential predators to uniform police are all taking place to keep people safe. All these police operations and more, come under the banner of wanting everyone to enjoy a ‘Good Safe Summer’, with plenty of articles and social media posts detailing this work here (Dorset Police) and on Dorset Police’s (Facebook).
This work, which is being delivered under increasingly challenging circumstances, is why I feel the need to speak out about some of the grossly inaccurate and fearmongering headlines from the national media over the past few weeks. Let me be clear; I am under no illusion that Bournemouth, like many other towns across the country - seaside towns in particular - has seen significant changes over the years, increasing demand on policing and our partners. I know and recognise the concerns from residents and businesses about these ongoing issues and I want people to know that a huge amount of work has taken place to tackle these problems and will continue to be a top priority.
This work is yielding positive results. Compared to 2021, violent crime, sexual assaults, knife crime and anti-social behaviour are down in Bournemouth town centre. That is a fact. It may not fit the current narrative which describes these offences as ‘soaring’, it may not feel like it when you’re scrolling comments and posts on social media, but it is. Irresponsible and inaccurate headlines which scream the town centre has become ‘overrun by feral yobs, sex predators and murders’ are wrong, and they only want one thing – your clicks. These headlines and articles describing Bournemouth as ‘the Wild West’, are falsehoods, echoed and perpetuated by social media users trying to build a platform for their own means. Our town is not ‘plagued by a spate of murders, stabbings and sexual assaults’; this is a wilful misrepresentation to create harm and fear. I should also state that Dorset Police have been rated as ‘good’ by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services for recording crime, meaning our data is reliable. Wherever possible, we have pushed back at factual inaccuracies in the media but quite frankly, I fear the damage has been done.
The issues in Bournemouth reflect issues seen in towns across the country – they are no different, except what happens in this town has been thrown under an intensely negative media spotlight. I fully accept there is still work to do to turn this around – and change people’s perceptions – and that will need further investment and resources, which I will continue to fight for. However, it is a fact that Bournemouth continues to be a busy tourist town, and each year, the swell of visitors from spring to autumn brings extra demand - as you would expect. It is also a fact that Dorset Police do not have unlimited resources – with savings still needing to be made should no further funding be forthcoming. However, dedicated Dorset Police teams have worked relentlessly over the past few months to ensure they are visible, engaged and ready to act where needed, demonstrating robust, effective and visible policing in the face of exceptional demand. From using their unique powers to disperse people on the beach and at key locations preventing potential incidents and disorder, confiscating alcohol and drugs including Nitrous Oxide and cannabis, and patrolling in hotspot areas to reassure the public at all times of day and night, the Force has worked closely with our partners to ensure the majority of the public can enjoy a ‘Good Safe Summer’.
This hard work and these results don’t drive people to news websites like inflammatory and sensationalist ‘Wild West’ headlines for example though. And while we can’t change how the media report, what I hope to do here is ask the public to remember that these articles aren’t reflective of the whole picture; they’re designed to exploit fear, create anger, peddle perception as fact, and distort the truth. Bournemouth is a safe place, and I am clear that our work, alongside that of our partners continues. We’re not naïve to what still must be done, and no-one is turning a blind eye; rather, as ever, Dorset Police officers, staff and volunteers are doing more and more with less to ensure you, the public stay safe. They are the men and women running towards danger, and they are the people ensuring justice is served for as many people as possible when the worst does happen. Bournemouth remains a safe place and Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country. If only that made a good headline…
Migrant hotels
When it comes to the hotels being used by the Government to house asylum seekers, hotels have been used in this town since 2014, this is nothing new. Implications that this has only just happened or happened in the past couple of years are wrong.
Caution should be exercised in the Courts data published in the national media, as ever, context and background to this data is vital. Court data, as used here, shows a defendant’s address as where they currently live, not where an offence has necessarily taken place. So, although people who live at a particular address may have been charged with an offence, that does not necessarily mean these offences have taken place at this address or even locally, only that the defendant now lives at this address.
‘Bournemouth has become overrun by feral yobs, sex predators and murders’
No, in Bournemouth town centre incidents of anti-social behaviour, sexual assaults, knife crime and violent crime have reduced since 2021. There is still work to do, but I am committed to supporting Dorset Police however I can and ensure this robust and proactive work with partners continues, making Bournemouth even safer for all who live, work and visit.
"…there has been a rise in crime since 2023, which just happens to coincide with when the arrivals and the HMOs and the hotels opened up in town.”
Crime has fallen in Bournemouth town centre since 2023. I accept and understand
how the use of hotels for asylum seekers causes concern for people and
Dorset Police will continue to act robustly and effectively to keep our
community safe, but this statement is incorrect. Hotels to house asylum
seekers have also been in use in Bournemouth since 2014.
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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August 16, 2025
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Scam Warning - Winter Heating Payment
We have recently seen a sharp increase in reports relating to Winter Heating Payment scams.
The scam involves a text message or email, impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions, and includes a link to click and provide personal details, as well as a small payment (usually £1) to receive the Winter Heating Payment. This is fraudulent.
? How does the Winter Heating Payment work?
If you were born before 22 September 1959 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2025 to 2026. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
If you’re eligible, you’ll get a letter in October or November saying how much you'll get. Most eligible people will be paid in November or December 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions will NOT contact you via email or text message with a link to a form. Therefore, if you do receive an SMS or email pertaining to the Winter Heating Payment, please do not click the link or provide any personal or financial information. Instead, please report the message by:
Forwarding the text to 7726
Forwarding the email to report@phishing.gov.uk
For more information on the Winter Heating Payment, please visit: Winter Fuel Payment: Overview - GOV.UK
?? How can you protect yourself?
Most people get the Winter Heating Payment automatically, if they are eligible.
If you are unsure of your eligibility visit Winter Fuel Payment: Check if you need to claim - GOV.UK
This link also provides information for those who have not yet been contacted on how they can claim the Winter Heating Payment by Post or Phone.
If you receive a message pertaining to be from the Department of Work and Pensions relating to the Winter Heating Payment, please do not click any links or provide any personal or financial information.
Hannah Bird
(Dorset Police, Cyber Crime Protect and Prevent Officer, Dorset)
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August 9, 2025
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Fighting Violent Crime and High Harm
Over the next few weeks, I will be highlighting the significant work taking place in Dorset to tackle violent crime and knife crime. I will outline the ways I continue to support Dorset Police in dealing with these offences following investment in equipment including knife wands and a knife arch, as well as focusing on the progress my Office’s Violence Reduction and Prevention Team is making. I will also take the opportunity to shine a light on the charities and community organisations providing vital services and support to the public, alongside the targeted work police and our partners continue to do.
I know that knife crime is a topic which continues to hit the headlines, especially nationally, and that many people are rightly concerned about this subject. However, I want to be clear; in Dorset, we continue to have low rates of knife crime. We are one of the five forces with the lowest number of knife crime offences in the country and in the past year alone have seen a 9% drop in these offences. That by no means makes us complacent though and I want to assure you there is much significant work taking place to tackle these offences, whether that is by Dorset Police, or other partners. It is also important to say that the issue of violent crime including knife crime cannot be solved solely through policing. Partnership working with local authorities and other key organisations is vital. Tackling violent offences is not just down to enforcement, it does and must go much further than that.
A key part of my Police and Crime Plan focuses on Fighting Violent Crime and High Harm, with specific commitments dedicated to tackling violence. They include working with and holding partners to account for strategies and diversionary work to help prevent the escalation of violence. As I mentioned earlier, dealing with violent crime is not just down to the police - it needs all parts of the community and a number of statutory bodies to come together. This is why, since I became Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021, I have been lobbying and campaigning for Dorset to have a Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). While I will go into further detail about this and the progress made towards this over the next few weeks, a VRU would bring together partner agencies including local authorities, health, and education sectors to commission services to prevent serious violence in response to what is needed locally.
Also included as part of the commitment is the crucial work with partners to identify children and young people most at risk of being exploited to ensure adequate safeguards are put in place. This is alongside working with partner agencies to tackle knife crime, whether that is through effective prevention, intervention or tough enforcement.
Over the next few weeks, I hope to detail the breadth of the work and intense focus on dealing with violent crime and knife crime in our county. I know that residents want to see action being taken on knife crime; whether that’s through robust enforcement or education for young people and I agree it must be visible, transparent and effective. What I can say is that people can have confidence that we are all dedicated to tackling these offences and making our streets even safer for everyone who lives, works and visits Dorset. That is and will remain the priority for all involved in reducing these harmful crimes.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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Action on e-scooters '
Today, I’d like to discuss a topic which has been in the news recently and is an issue I have consistently raised since I came to Office – E-scooters. I fully acknowledge the concern these vehicles cause in our communities, especially given their rise in popularity and in some cases, links with crime and anti-social behaviour. Over the years I have had many conversations with the public who have expressed worry and frustration over irresponsible and reckless use of e-scooters and illegal e-bikes, and I want you to know these have and will continue to be taken seriously.
Since I became PCC, I have raised these concerns with Dorset Police, as well as the relevant authorities and hire schemes, to ensure your views and concerns are fed back to those with the power to make changes and enforce the law to ensure public safety. This includes meeting with Beryl UK over their e-scooter hire scheme in the BCP area to discuss dangerous behaviours associated with their use.
As part of my Police and Crime Plan commitment to improving road safety in Dorset, I have continued to communicate the public’s concerns to the Force about e-scooters and know that wherever possible Dorset Police is taking robust action on this issue. So far this year the Force has seized more than 50 electric scooters and 33 electric bikes, which have been driven illegally. The Force have also launched a targeted operation to tackle illegally modified bikes, scooters and scramblers in response to an increase in reported incidents involving these vehicles in Poole and North Bournemouth. This operation aims to disrupt activity by seizing these vehicles, arresting offenders and increasing patrols in ASB hotspot areas so communities feel safe and listened to. The vehicles will then be sent away, crushed and recycled – see more here. Alongside this tough enforcement, Dorset Police’s innovation board has invested in SmartTag forensic spray, partnering with Bournemouth University to analyse data, providing an evidence base for tactical plans in the future. You can find out more about SmartTag here.
Currently, under the existing law, privately owned e-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission. It is illegal to use them anywhere else and this includes public roads, on pavements, in cycle lanes and pedestrian-only areas such as town centres and beach fronts. However, given the rise in their usage and concerns about safety and anti-social behaviour I want to see clearer regulations and legislation; what is currently in place is not fit for purpose.
I believe these could and should include mandatory licence plates and insurance, alongside a minimum age for those using them and a limit on the speed installed by the manufacturers. I would also support a test to ensure those who use them abide by road safety laws. When it comes to the hire schemes in operation in Dorset, I would like visible number plates and stronger enforcement towards those flouting the rules, with companies facing serious consequences if this isn’t adhered to. We need legislation which makes it clear that illegal and dangerous behaviour will not be tolerated and if offences are committed, those committing it and indeed those facilitating it, will be suitably punished.
Dorset Police are rightly being robust on this issue. Now we need action
from those in power to show they are listening to the public. I am clear;
if you’re caught riding one of these vehicles illegally in Dorset, it will
be seized, crushed and recycled. I will continue to support the Force in
robustly tackling this issue to ensure people can feel safe where they
live, work and visit.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
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Advice about e-scooters from Dorset Police here - Advice on e-scooter usage | Dorset Police
To report issues relating to the use of Beryl e-scooters please contact the Beryl control room on 020 3003 5044 – open 7am to 9pm, 7 days a week or go online at Beryl-BCP
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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Making Dorset 'No Place for Drugs'
Over the past few weeks, the focus of my newsletters has been around illegal drugs and harmful substances, the impact they have on people and our communities, and how we’re working to reduce this. From prevention to treatment and enforcement, I have sought to outline the extent of the work taking place across Dorset in order to tackle the harm from illegal drugs, and highlight the key players involved in effecting change and intervening to protect vulnerable people and other affected groups. I have also outlined my position on important issues including prevention and the reclassification of drugs including ketamine and cannabis, alongside my continuing work to bring about change locally, regionally and nationally.
When I came to Office, I knew I wanted tackling illegal drugs to be a key part of my Police and Crime Plan. I fully recognise the harm illegal drugs and harmful substances cause to communities – directly and indirectly – and that’s why priority three of my Police and Crime Plan is dedicated to Fighting Violent Crime and High Harm. This includes the commitment to tackle addiction and substance misuse through a number of measures including working with Dorset Police and key partners to commission services and educational inputs to help reduce the harm of drugs, alcohol and harmful gambling. In Dorset, this has included joint working and support for organisations including The Talkabout Trust, Escapeline, Vita Nova and PACE among others, to tackle these issues. The work of the Dorset and BCP Combating Drugs Partnership, an organisation I lead, is also key to this, working closely with local partners to ensure prevention, treatment and enforcement are all being effectively delivered across Dorset.
When it comes to prevention, much more needs to be done by those in power to ensure full and robust prevention programmes are in place to divert young people away from illegal and harmful substances. While in Dorset we are doing as much as we can, I will continue to call for proper investment in this vital measure to protect people from the harm illegal drugs can wage.
Another key commitment is making certain Dorset Police are taking a robust approach to drug-related criminality, using their powers to disrupt on street dealing and county lines activity in order to reduce the damage caused to local communities, and deal with the associated violence, exploitation of vulnerable people, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime. Through not only the work of dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams including officers, staff and volunteers 365 days a year, special operations like Operation Viper and Operation Scorpion are essential. The latest round of Operation Scorpion which took place recently, highlights the robust enforcement taking place to deal with illegal drugs and criminality which accompanies it. Operation Scorpion is a vital - and successful - part of our fight to reduce the harm illegal drugs cause in Dorset and the south west region. You can find out more about what happened in the latest iteration here.
I am clear; Dorset Police will continue to robustly tackle illegal drugs
and those who deal them and cause harm to our communities. I know the fear
and concern these substances cause, and I know the public want to see tough
action. I take this very seriously, and I want to assure you that Dorset
Police is focused on tackling the offenders and reducing the harms they
cause. From bespoke specialist prevention and education for young people,
to the robust enforcement from Dorset Police and help and support for those
affected by these harmful substances, we are doing everything in our power
to take tough action on drugs and alcohol, protect our communities and
send a clear message that Dorset is No Place for Drugs.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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- Prevention 'front and centre' · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Talking about cannabis reclassification · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Protecting our young people from ruthless drugs gangs · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Operation Scorpion: Tackling the enablers · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Drug prevention: Now is the time for change · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- What is the Combating Drugs Partnership? · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Time to Talkabout · Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
- Tackling the issue of illegal drugs in Dorset · Dorset Police & Crime Commissione
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Free Cyber Crime Awareness Sessions
Dorset Police offer free Cyber Crime Awareness sessions to businesses, charities, and community groups across Dorset.
These sessions are designed to raise awareness of online crime and promote the many preventative measures that are available for individuals and organisations, to help prevent future victims of cyber crime.
We offer both face-to-face and online presentations.
If your group or organisation would like to hear more about this service, please contact cybercrimeprevention@dorset.pnn.police.uk
or visit Dorset Police Cyber Crime Unit | Dorset Police
Hannah Bird
(Dorset Police, Cyber Crime Protect and Prevent Officer, Dorset)
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August 1, 2025
Keeping kids safe online this summer
Dear Resident,
Today’s children are growing up in a connected world – but that doesn’t mean they always know how to stay safe in it. As a parent, grandparent or guardian, your guidance can make a huge difference. Our new leaflet, attached, provides some practical ways to help your child explore the internet with confidence and care this summer holiday.
Alternatively, take a look at the advice on the Get Safe Online website: Are you in touch with what your kids do online? - Get Safe Online,
The Get Safe Online team
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Attachments
Message Sent By:
Get Safe Online
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July 26, 2025
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Prevention 'front and centre'
Last week’s newsletter was focused on cannabis and my latest work to lobby the Government to review the classification of this illegal substance and make it a Class A drug. To briefly recap, I recently wrote to the Policing Minister on behalf of 14 Police and Crime Commissioners, calling for the reclassification of cannabis from a Class B to a Class A. This request was based on emerging scientific and medical research, which indicates that the health risks associated with cannabis may be more extensive than previously understood. I believe a tougher stance is needed when it comes to this illegal drug, not just in terms of enforcement, but to send a clear message to the public that this dangerous substance is being taken seriously.
Following this letter, I have now received a response from the Policing Minister, Dame Diana Johnson, who writes that the current status will not be reviewed at this time. While I am disappointed by this, I do take heart that there is a firm commitment that the Government has no plans to legalise cannabis or take any steps towards this. This is good news. The Minister also did not rule out a review of cannabis in the future, although she made clear she is not currently planning to commission the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to look at this issue. Having said this, the Minister is open to discussion about the newer evidence and I will be seeing her in September in order to discuss this further.
Alongside the reclassification request, I also asked for increased investment towards drug prevention. As I have previously stated, when it comes to the three key measures to tackle illegal drugs – enforcement, treatment and prevention – prevention is the orphan at the feast and that needs to change. This is not just my view, a recent report from the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs stated that drug prevention for 11-24-year-olds does work and not only benefits the target group but also wider society. It also stated that due to lack of dedicated funding, there is no national co-ordinated prevention system. In her response to my request for increased investment in prevention, the Minister offered assurances that the Government are committed to providing effective prevention and have put this ‘front and centre’ of their plans to improve the lives of people in the UK. We all know the most effective way to reduce illegal drug use among adults in the UK is through education, diversion and intervention and I hope the Government acts quickly to ensure proper, robust prevention and education receive the necessary funding to make a difference.
Lastly, I would like to thank those members of the public who have responded to last week’s newsletter, supporting these efforts. While I accept there will always be wide-ranging views on this subject, I believe it is incumbent on people in positions like my own to raise these concerns with those in power and consistently strive for change to protect the public.
I fully recognise the concern illegal drugs cause and the way they impact the feeling of safety across our communities. That’s why I am determined to continue my work, raising awareness about the need for more prevention, and ensuring robust enforcement continues in Dorset, alongside effective treatment for those in need. This is and will remain a priority in Dorset, as we work to make our area No Place for Drugs and ensure we stay one of the safest areas in the country.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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July 18, 2025
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Courier fraud alert: City of London Police go for gold in courier fraud
crackdown in Hatton Garden, with more than £21m lost in the last financial
year.
The City of London Police, the national lead force for fraud, has launched a targeted intensification in Hatton Garden — the capital’s renowned jewellery quarter — in a concerted crackdown on courier fraud that has cost victims more than £21 million over the past financial year.
The initiative builds on the momentum of a successful courier fraud enforcement delivered in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service earlier this year. That collaborative effort saw 13 arrests, eight charges, 63 proactive deployments and more than £250k in criminal cash seized sending a clear message to fraudsters operating across London that police forces are closing in on them — together.
The intensification sees a surge in enforcement activity, increased patrols and engagement with the Hatton Garden business community to raise awareness, identify suspicious behaviour and bolster protections for potential victims.
As part of the wider strategy, officers are visiting retail units as well as engaging with local taxi firms to raise awareness. In many cases, victims are instructed to visit jewellers via a cab — often incurring steep travel costs.
iIn one Sussex case, an 84-year-old woman was targeted by scammers impersonating
a police officer. She was persuaded to withdraw cash and travel via taxi
to a bullion dealer in Slough to buy gold. The fraudsters remained on the
phone throughout and attempted to arrange a courier pickup. Fortunately,
her family intervened before the assets were handed over.
Data from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB), run by the City of London Police, reveals that 1,797 reports of courier fraud were received in the last financial year, with an average loss per victim of just over £12,000. The five police force areas reporting the highest total losses were the Metropolitan Police Service, Thames Valley Police, Cheshire Constabulary, Hampshire Constabulary, and Essex Police.
To stay safe and protect yourself:
Your bank or the police will never call you to ask you to verify your personal details or PIN by phone, or offer to pick up your card by courier. Hang up, wait a few minutes and call your bank on a number you know to be genuine, such as the one on the back of your card, or by calling 159
The police or your bank will not contact you out of the blue to participate in an investigation, or send a courier to your home to collect bank cards, cash, or other valuable items. Any requests to do so are a scam.
Don’t trust Caller ID display on your phone – it’s not proof of ID.
Remember, staying cautious and sceptical can go a long way in protecting yourself from courier fraud. Take the time to verify information, seek advice from trusted sources, and never rush into making financial decisions under pressure.
If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040, or call Police Scotland on 101.
Message Sent By:
Action Fraud
(Action Fraud, Administrator, National)
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Talking about cannabis reclassification
Recently, cannabis has been in the news again, and today I’d like to tell you more about my position on the current debate and why I believe it is time for serious action. Earlier this summer, a report from the London Drugs Commission said possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use should be decriminalised. This hit the headlines, reopening the discussion about cannabis decriminalisation, something I am completely opposed to. Many of you will already know my views on cannabis but to be clear, my personal view is that it should be reclassified as a Class A drug, something I have been campaigning for since I became PCC and will continue to do so.
I have always been upfront about the pernicious impact I believe cannabis has on the physical and mental health of a user and I have long called for it to be reclassified as a Class A drug because of these effects and the impact it presents on wider society. This impact on our society is also something highlighted by Sir Andy Marsh who leads the College of Policing. He recently said the smell of the drug made him feel unsafe and was backed by prominent chief constables, who said more attention needed to be paid to the ‘little stuff’, a sentiment I echo completely. It is my view that the reason the smell of cannabis is so prevalent in some places is that for the past 30 years people have been saying it isn’t dangerous, something I believe is wrong. I believe this drug has chronic long-term side effects, both to physical and mental health, and acts as a dangerous gateway drug for many people.
I know from my conversations and contact with the public, that people in Dorset want tough action on illegal drugs – all illegal drugs - and those who peddle them. Results from our most recent Operation Scorpion, a regional initiative which works with police forces and PCCs in Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Avon and Somerset, along with SW Regional Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police, demonstrates the commitment we have made to tackling these harmful substances in Dorset and further afield. Eight warrants were carried out in Dorset alone during this week of action, with two drug lines permanently closed, 24 people arrested and more than £20,000 worth of Class A and B drugs seized. Three vehicles were also seized, and weapons including zombie knives, machetes, flick knives and knuckledusters recovered along with £25,000 cash. Dorset Police remains dedicated to tackling drug crime robustly, and as is detailed in Police and Crime Plan, I remain fully committed to this tough approach, doing everything I can to ensure those in power are listening to the people, and aware of the strength of feeling on these issues.
As part of this commitment, I recently wrote to the Policing Minister, on behalf of 14 Police and Crime Commissioners calling for the reclassification of cannabis as a Class A substance. Based on emerging scientific and medical research which indicates the health risks of cannabis may be much more extensive that previously understood, I urged the minister to ensure cannabis is taken much more seriously, with much tougher punishments for dealers. If this were to happen, I believe it would not only send a stark message to the public, but would lead to much more investment in prevention, something currently lacking at a national level (Drug prevention: Now is the time for change). Ultimately, as I stated in the letter, heroin can kill quickly but the cumulative effect of cannabis in our society may be far worse.
Tackling illegal drugs and the dangers they present to young people and society at large is a top priority for me, and for Dorset Police. As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I remain determined to relentlessly tackle the harms illegal drugs cause to our communities, protect those at risk of exploitation and ensure effective prevention is in place to educate our young people about the dangers illegal and harmful substances can cause to their futures.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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July 9, 2025
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ASB Awareness Week: What's happening in Dorset?
This week is Anti-social Behaviour Awareness Week, a subject which I know
is of utmost importance to people in Dorset. Issues related to ASB can
cause fear and concern in communities, and since I came to Office, I have
been absolutely determined to get a grip of this and ensure those who live,
work and visit our area are safe and importantly, feel safe. Tackling ASB
is front and centre of my Police and Crime Plan, which is why I am proud
that levels of anti-social behaviour across Dorset and BCP are now at their
lowest since 2008, thanks to dedicated and targeted work by Dorset Police
alongside partner agencies over the past few years.
Part of this success is down to the work of hotspot patrols as part of Op Track which has significantly reduced ASB in many of the areas this was originally piloted, enhanced patrols in key locations during the busy summer period and the work of Dorset Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), alongside strong partnership working with local authorities to ensure these issues are seized upon and dealt with in a timely way. Of course, tackling ASB and getting to the root of sometimes complex issues can often take some time and involve multiple agencies, so I would urge members of the public to continue reporting incidents to the relevant agency to ensure they have as much information as possible to be robust and effective.
One of the ways in which I ensure my Office is helping to empower communities and help reduce incidents of ASB is through my Operation Relentless Community Fund. Earlier this year we invited community groups to apply for grants between £100 and £5,000 to help make their communities even safer places to live, and I look forward to seeing these projects and ideas come to life very soon. The Op Relentless Community Fund has granted nearly £208,000 to 52 schemes, initiatives and groups over the last four years to reduce ASB at a grass roots level. This has included projects focused on community outreach work, employment skills workshops and sports activities.
I am also really pleased that throughout the next year, Dorset Police will be able to move more police officers into neighbourhood roles, thanks to extra funding as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee. This money will enable Dorset Police to recruit more police staff investigators, detention officers and contact officers, strengthening Neighbourhood Policing Teams and ensuring a greater police presence on our streets to deter crime and tackle ASB.
I recognise the concern incidents of anti-social behaviour cause. Whether it is witnessed while out and about or experienced from your own home, it leads to worry and naturally makes many people feel unsettled. While Dorset Police has been successful in tackling ASB in many areas, I know there is still work to do. I want to assure the people of Dorset that I remain fully committed to my Police and Crime Plan commitment and am determined Dorset Police has all the support it needs to continue tackling ASB robustly, ensuring our county remains one of the safest in the country.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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Operation Scorpion: Tackling the enablers
Recently, the twelfth round of Operation Scorpion took place across the
south west, with PCCs and Forces from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Avon
and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire along with South West Regional
Organised Crime Unit and British Transport Police working together to crackdown
on drug supply networks operating across the region. This latest iteration
coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week and involved
a range of activity from warrants and arrests to education and prevention
work.
For this latest round of Operation Scorpion, the focus was on the ‘enablers’; these are the people whose actions – or inaction - enable drug dealers to operate in our communities including those who look the other way. Often, those who enable this illegal and harmful activity do so unknowingly, so it is vital that part of the week of action saw officers working with hotels, taxi and private hire companies and postal operators to raise awareness of the key signs of illegal drug activity and exploitation, another key focus of this iteration.
In Dorset, Operation Scorpion saw 120 officers and staff involved in this successful action, with eight warrants carried out across the county. From this, two drug lines have been permanently closed, 24 people arrested and more than £20,000 worth of Class A and B drugs seized. Three vehicles were also seized, and weapons including zombie knives, machetes, flick knives and knuckledusters recovered along with £25,000 cash. I saw some of this activity first-hand and know how much work goes into ensuring these warrants take place, so thank those involved for their dedication.
For me, one of the most important aspects of this round was the engagement and activity with industries we know can be used by these ruthless drug networks. As well as work with hotels and taxi companies, Dorset Police also addressed the issue of ‘faster parcels’, with criminals overseas using the postal service to deliver illegal drugs and other items. The Force also spoke with young people and schools about illegal vapes, increasingly used by drug networks to recruit and exploit young people, pulling them into criminality.
We know county lines and the way these drugs gangs operate is changing. That’s why working together with this strong partnership of regional forces and organisations is so vital as we work to make the south west #NoPlaceForDrugs. Today, I’ve invited two important organisations – Taxi Watch and Hotel Watch - to comment further on the work taking place to raise awareness about exploitation and illegal activity.
Nicky Smith, director of PRC Streamline Group and lead for Taxi Watch said: “Taxi Watch works with the local authority, Dorset Police and the taxi trade on issues happening across the area. It began in response to concerns about illegal lifts and private cars offering lifts to people, and the PCC was integral to getting this up and running. Taxi Watch is all about keeping people safe and liaising with the council and police on issues including county lines and protecting women, girls and vulnerable people for example. All drivers who work for companies involved in Taxi Watch receive safeguarding training and watch out for patterns and concerns about young people. One of the things I would encourage all taxi-users to check is that they are using a vehicle licensed in this area. There are very strict licensing rules in this area including the training drivers must go through and the standards they commit to.”
Rosie Radwell, managing director of Marsham Court Hotel, Chair of BH Area Hospitality Association and a member of Hotel Watch said: “One of the signs we’ve learnt to look out for is people booking rooms who live within the same postcode as the hotel. While this isn’t an automatic indicator, it does raise an alert and one of the things I would like to see is booking websites flagging this with hotels at the point of sale. I would say there is more of an issue with drugs than ever before and I expect all hotels, especially those in seaside towns are experiencing the same challenges.
“Through Hotel Watch hotel staff across the area have had training, and I would like to see more interactive sessions for individual hotels due to the high turnover in the hospitality industry as it proved very useful and informative.”
Thanks to both Nicky and Rosie for their thoughts and comments. I know how hard businesses in Dorset work and how much their support and co-operation are appreciated by the Force and myself. I am determined to ensure this robust enforcement and partnership working continues apace, to protect all those across Dorset, including our responsible and hard-working business communities. Tackling illegal drugs goes much deeper than seizing drugs and cash; we must foster the confidence of the public who live and work in Dorset to encourage more people to report their intelligence and tell us what’s happening where they live.
I am clear, tackling illegal drugs and the dangers they present to young
people and society at large is a top priority for me, and for Dorset Police.
We will continue to relentlessly tackle the criminal activity and those
involved to ensure our county remains one of the top ten safest places
in the country.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
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Protecting our young people from drugs gangs
As part of the commitment made in my Police and Crime Plan to tackle the dangers of illegal drugs and the harm they bring to society - in particular to young people - I support a range of services which provide key help and interventions for victims and communities. Policing is not purely about robust enforcement, especially when it comes to tackling illegal drugs; there is a duty and responsibility to protect vulnerable people as well, and through my Office, there are several projects and services in place to do this. One of the organisations I support is Escapeline, a charity which helps children to stay safe by educating them about child exploitation and grooming, teaching them the signs to watch out for and protective strategies to handle potential approaches. This brilliant organisation also works alongside the police and other partners, providing training and education for professionals like youth workers, social workers and those in the health sector.
Today, following the most recent iteration of Operation Scorpion, I’ve invited their CEO Lisa to talk about how the model of county lines is changing, and what needs to happen if we are to stop more young people being exploited and involved in this criminal activity.
“As part of our work at Escapeline, we are seeing a shift from the traditional model of county lines to a more localised model which doesn’t have the same cross-border elements. The same tactics are used to recruit and exploit, but the age of those targeted by these groups is getting younger and younger. Children are being used and put out to work, controlled by the ‘olders’ as they’re often referred to. This is what is fuelling a rise in youth violence, ranging from theft and destruction to causing havoc in town centres and public places – and it’s nearly always linked to county lines and drugs. Another shift in the model is that more girls are being recruited as well. Typically, this ‘recruitment’ has involved teenage boys, but more and more girls are being targeted and that increases the likelihood of sexual exploitation.
“In terms of the signs that parents, guardians, carers, teachers and anyone who works with young people need to be aware of, the key indicators remain the same; change of friendship group, behaviour changes and now we’re warning about possession of vapes as well. Whereas once cannabis used to be a key sign, now we are telling people who have children or work with children to also be aware of vapes in a child’s possession. While this may seem innocent and could seemingly be explained as a one-off, increasingly this is becoming a key early sign to be aware of.
“In my opinion, there absolutely needs a co-ordinated national effort to get a grip on this escalating situation. It’s not too late but it needs swift co-ordinated action and proper investment pushed into prevention and education, as well as more resources for enforcement. Drugs like cannabis are increasingly becoming ‘normalised’ for many young people, which means they see no danger in drug running. To many, it is akin to having a Saturday job – and we must not let that concept stand.
“That’s why education – and in particular early education in primary schools – is so vital. Teaching children about county lines is as essential as road safety lessons. At Escapeline, we use role play to teach likely scenarios to young people, demonstrating the tactics used by county lines groups. However, although we’re busier than ever delivering this education, we know that this needs to be much more widespread, and that needs intervention at a higher level. Once a young person gets pulled into county lines, it is difficult to pull them out.”
Lisa is absolutely right; much more needs to be done at a national level about the dangers our young people face when it comes to county lines. Currently, when it comes to tackling illegal drugs, prevention is the orphan at the feast and that needs to change, and urgently. I know as part of Operation Scorpion, officers carried out work with young people and schools to educate them around the risks associated with illegal vapes, risks Lisa has described here very clearly. I would urge parents, carers, guardians and anyone who works with young people to acquaint yourself with the signs listed. Don’t think it couldn’t happen to your child, these gangs are ruthless and their tactics ever-changing. Dorset Police will be robust in tackling county lines and illegal drugs, but it needs all of us to be aware of the dangers, talk to our young people and if concerned, reach out for help. I would also call on people in Dorset to report your intelligence. If you see something suspicious in your neighbourhood, tell the police about it here: Tell us something you've seen or heard | Dorset Police. It may be your information is the missing piece of the puzzle needed for police to take act.
I am determined that through robust enforcement, effective intervention
and impactful prevention, we continue to send a clear message that we will
not tolerate those intent on exploiting vulnerable people and bringing
harm to our communities. Through the powerful partnership work demonstrated
under Operation Scorpion, we will continue to show Dorset is #NoPlaceForDrugs..
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
Message Sent By:
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner
Report your concerns:
- Call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can report your intelligence online
- If you are on a train, text British Transport Police on 61016
- Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and remain completely anonymous. You can also report online
- Call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 if you’re concerned about a child.
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July 4, 2025
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Buying Tickets Safely Online
Dear Resident,
Every music and sports fan knows that often, tickets for gigs, festivals, big games and tournaments sell out very quickly. To avoid disappointment this summer, you might turn to social media, online marketplaces or fan forums to look for tickets. You may get lucky, or you may get scammed, which is even more disappointing as not only do you miss out on tickets, you also lose your hard-earned money.
In a ticket scam, the seller tells you they’ll post or email the tickets as soon as you’ve transferred the money to their bank account. But when you try to contact them after nothing’s arrived, they’ve disappeared into thin air. Chances are, dozens of other people have fallen victim to the same fraud.
Before buying tickets this summer, check out the expert advice on our website:
Buying and selling tickets – your safety guide - Get Safe Online
And enjoy your summer!
Message Sent By:
Get Safe Online
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Phone Contract Scam Resurfaces
Please be aware that a phone contract scam that circulated around three
years ago is making a strong return.
Fraudsters are cold calling or emailing victims, claiming to be from well-known phone providers. They offer what appears to be a legitimate phone upgrade.
Here’s how the scam works:
The victim is offered a handset upgrade and goes through what seems like a genuine application process over the phone.
A phone is then delivered – but it’s not the one requested (e.g. the victim orders an iPhone but receives an Android).
The victim calls the fraudster (still believing they’re speaking to the provider) and is told to return the incorrect handset via the Post Office, using a QR code provided in the package.
That QR code leads to a fraudulent address – the phone disappears, and the victim is left responsible for a lengthy and costly contract they didn’t knowingly sign up for.
What to do:
Contact your provider directly using the official number on their website if you are contacted about a phone upgrade.
If you’ve been affected, report it immediately to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Please share this warning with friends, family, and neighbours – especially those who may be more vulnerable to scams.
Stay vigilant and safe.
Message Sent By:
Damian Cranny
(Dorset Police, Fraud Protect Officer, Dorset
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South West forces work together to reduce harm caused by drugs
Police forces from across the South West have come together for their latest crackdown on drug supply networks operating across the area.
The latest week of intensification as part of the Operation Scorpion initiative involved a range of enforcement action carried out across the region, as well as education and prevention work taking place.
Avon & Somerset Police, Devon & Cornwall Police, Dorset Police, Gloucestershire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police teamed up with the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) to harness their collective capabilities in disrupting the supply of illegal drugs in the region. The operation also coincided with the national County Lines Intensification Week (CLIW).
In total across the region:
102 people were arrested
65.7kg of cocaine was seized, plus 274g of crack cocaine,13.9kg of cannabis and 455grams of heroin
£119,326 in cash was seized
38 people were safeguarded
29 suspected county lines were shut down
17 vehicles were seized, including six e-bikes
100 mobile phones were seized
26 weapons were seized
In Dorset 23 people were arrested and £26,134 in cash was seized as well as 2.5kg of cannabis, six wraps of crack, 92g of heroin, 0.45kg of cocaine seized plus ketamine, MDMA and mixing agents.
Officers also seized 10 weapons, including a knuckleduster, and five people were safeguarded.
Research shows that across the region more local children and vulnerable people in our communities are being exploited to supply and store drugs.
During this latest operation, forces had a focus around those who exploit children, enable drug dealers to operate in our communities or look the other way.
Regional Assistant Chief Constable Andy Hill, of the South West ROCU, said: “The number of arrests, together with the drugs and weapons seized, shows the determination across the region to target and disrupt the organised crime groups looking to profit from the exploitation of young and vulnerable people.”
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “By working together across the region, it gives us the best opportunity to tackle suspected criminal networks who are operating across our Force areas and exploiting vulnerable people, particularly young children.
“Our work continues to be supported by information and intelligence we receive from our communities, and we would continue to urge anyone with information relating to child exploitation or suspected drug related activity to please report it to us.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “These results show our commitment to tough enforcement when it comes to dealing with illegal drugs across the South West.”
To find out more about the signs of child exploitation through The Children’s Society’s Look Closer campaign visit https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/lookcloser.
If you suspect illegal drug activity is happening where you live, please report to the police.
Call 101 or report online at www.dorset.police.uk. If anyone is in immediate danger call 999.
If you wish to remain completely anonymous you can use Crimestoppers, an independent charity, by reporting online at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by calling 0800 555 111.
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