Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

14/09/2026

Thank you to the dedicated officers who took part in Op Nighthawk for their proactive work across Dorset's towns over the weekend.

Their visible presence helps keep our night-time economy safe, reassures the public, and tackles issues such as anti-social behaviour, violence, suspected drink driving and drug-related activity.

As Police and Crime Commissioner, keeping Dorset safe remains a priority and it is encouraging to see officers engaging positively with residents while also taking robust action against those who seek to cause harm

10/09/2026

Rural crime can have a real impact on those living and working across Dorset’s rural communities.

Whether it’s poaching, hare coursing, theft, suspicious activity or other crimes affecting rural areas, reporting it to Dorset Police matters.

Did you know Dorset Police has a dedicated section of its website specifically for reporting rural crime? This helps insure the offence is correctly labelled and dealt with by the right team.

Report a rural crime

10/09/2026

Keeping Dorset’s rural communities safe takes partnership — bringing together the police, local organisations, rural communities and those who know our countryside best.

One example of that partnership in action is the Country Watch website, a resource developed through the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime to provide rural residents with information, advice and support.

It’s a place to find useful advice on protecting your property, information on how to report different rural crimes and stay informed on the work being done to keep our countryside safe.

Country Watch is a collective of partners working together to tackle rural crime in Dorset.



09/09/2026

I am very pleased with the result of a joint operation in Gillingham, which demonstrates the power of partnership working to tackle serious criminality and protect those most at risk.

Following intelligence from the local community, Dorset Police officers worked alongside the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU), HMRC and Immigration Enforcement to execute a warrant as part of an investigation into suspected exploitation, immigration and financial offences.

The operation led to arrests for suspected modern slavery, money laundering and immigration offences, while also enabling vulnerable individuals to be safeguarded and supported.

08/09/2026

I am pleased to see Dorset Police working with colleagues from Wiltshire and Hampshire in the latest Operation Galileo.

This type of cross-border working is vital in targeting those committing rural crime in our county.

Criminals don’t see county borders, and neither can the police. By working together and sharing intelligence and resources, forces can put greater pressure on those responsible and make it harder for them to operate across our communities.

Tackling rural crime requires strong partnerships, and I will continue to support Dorset Police in ensuring our rural communities get the policing they deserve.

08/09/2026

"We are very fortunate to have a very pro-active Rural Crime Team in Dorrset"

That’s the experience of one Dorset farmer when it comes to Dorset Police Rural Crime Team.

For farmers and rural communities, strong relationships with frontline officers are vital. Sharing intelligence, raising concerns and knowing there are officers who understand the challenges faced in the countryside can make a real difference.

This Rural Crime Week, we’re taking the spotlight to the frontline recognising the officers working hard to keep our rural communities safe, even across vast areas where visibility can be challenging.

When rural communities feel seen, heard and supported, confidence grows and that is exactly what our Rural Crime Team is working to deliver.

07/09/2026

Behind every report of poaching is a farmer, landowner or rural community left dealing with the consequences.

This Rural Crime Week, we’re amplifying the voices of those who have experienced it firsthand.

In this video, two Dorset farmers share their stories of being victims of poaching – anonymously, but openly – to help shine a light on the impact these crimes can have on those who live and work in our countryside.

Their experiences are a reminder that rural crime is not victimless. It can affect livelihoods, damage property, cause fear and leave people feeling violated in their own homes and on their own land.

Rural voices deserve to be heard. Rural victims deserve to be seen. And tackling rural crime means listening to the people who experience it.

Two Dorset farmers share their story as victims of poaching and rur...

26/08/2026

Pleased to be out today in Bournemouth at the first deployment of the Live Facial Recognition van.

I had some interesting conversations with members of the public about the use of the van and the safeguards and scrutiny that’s in place around its use here in Dorset.

To find out more go online at Dorset Police or use this link - https://bit.ly/3SBl1FF

DS

25/08/2026

I’m really pleased to see Dorset Police rolling out a new roadside breath-testing technology across the county. This innovative technology will help officers detect and deal with drink drivers more quickly, keeping dangerous motorists off our roads and making Dorset safer for everyone. Supporting the use of the latest technology is a key part of ensuring our police have the tools they need to protect our communities.🚔

ROAD SAFETY | The latest mobile evidential breath test machine has been rolled out for use in Dorset improving how officers can catch drink drivers 🍺❌

The Lion Intoxilyzer 9000 measures the amount of alcohol found in a motorist using pulsed infrared technology on a breath sample.

As it is an evidential form of testing, a sample can be taken at the roadside where previously this would need to be taken in custody, slowing down the process.

The device is now in use across the county by the Roads Policing Team.

On Tuesday 18 August 2026, the breathalyser was used for the first time in Dorset. The motorist reportedly provided a reading of 167 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is nearly five times the legal drink drive limit of 35 micrograms.

Police Sergeant Dave Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “This latest breath testing device improves the precision with which we can detect a drink driver and ensure they are taken off the road quicker.

“The breathalyser saves time when providing an evidential test, allowing our team to be out and about on the roads more, identifying those who may potentially cause harm to other road users.

“Previously, when someone was brought into custody to provide an evidential sample their body continues to process the alcohol and the reading provided would be different to that taken at the roadside. This could mean they subsequently were found to be under the legal limit when providing an evidential sample.

“This new evidential roadside testing eliminates this issue and means we can take more dangerous motorists off the road.

“Drink driving is one of the fatal five road traffic offences and a motorist driving under the influence can kill or seriously injure another road user in a road traffic collision. Since the beginning of 2023, 113 people were killed or seriously injured in collisions where being impaired or affected by alcohol was a contributing factor.

“This latest equipment strengthens our mission to stop anyone from driving or riding while under the influence of alcohol.

“We are really pleased to be one of the first forces across the country using this new equipment and will always look to utilise the latest technology to keep everyone safe across Dorset.”

10/08/2026

Today I have launched a public survey on the Government's proposed police reforms. These are potentially significant changes for policing, and it is important that the people of Dorset have the opportunity to make their voices heard.

While we do not yet know what the final proposals will look like, any future decisions should take account of the views and priorities of local communities.

I would encourage residents, businesses and community groups across Dorset to take a few minutes to complete the survey and share their thoughts.

To ensure all responses are officially registered - we ask that views are shared via the survey and not in comments on this post.

Dorset PCC launches public survey on the future of policing