Police forces from across the region descended on Dorset for a day of action tackling rural crime.

PARTNERSHIP | Police forces from across the region descended on Dorset for a day of action tackling rural crime. Officers were also joined by partners from the Environment Agency and Dorset Council for an operation focussing on tackling waste crime. Colleagues from Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire joined their counterparts from the Dorset Police Rural Crime team to provide enhanced intelligence-led patrols.

The day also gave officers the chance to share expertise and best practice amongst rural crime colleagues.

In the east of the county, officers were joined by teams from the Environment Agency and local authority with a focus on enforcement action around vehicles linked to waste crime, while further vehicle stops were carried out in the area of the A35 Puddletown bypass.

Meanwhile, rural police community support officers held a series of engagement events to offer education and advice to members of rural communities around crime prevention while the drone team provided support for patrols focussed around poaching.

The joint operation in the east of the county saw ten vehicles stopped, five of which were subject to inspections by the Environment Agency. Although no illegal waste was detected, officers did detect a number of other offences.

One driver was arrested following a positive drugs wipe and nine further tickets were issued for separate offences including an overweight vehicle, an insecure load and no insurance.

Three vehicles were issued with prohibition notices due to being unsafe to be driven on the road, this requires them to take remedial action.

Officers operating in area of the Puddletown bypass stopped a total of 21 vehicles, including caravans, trailers and plant machinery. These vehicles were checked over against various registers and databases, with one driver issued with a traffic offence report and words of advice given to other motorists.

Inspector Adam Gill, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said: “I want to thank all those who came along to support this joint day of action in Dorset.

“By harnessing the combined knowledge and expertise of regional colleagues and partner agencies, it gives us the best possible chance of tackling rural criminality, which is often linked to organised crime and operates across county borders.

“We also recognise the blight that waste crime has on our environment and rural communities and we are committed to working with our partners to tackling this issue.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said “I am pleased to see Dorset Police working together with neighbouring forces and partner agencies in the latest Operation Ragwort. This operation is about standing shoulder to shoulder with our rural communities and making it clear that crime in Dorset’s countryside will not be tolerated.

“Criminals do not respect county borders, so it is vital that we work seamlessly with neighbouring forces and partners to strengthen intelligence, increase visible policing, and ensure those who target farms, businesses and wildlife know they will be pursued and brought to justice. Protecting rural Dorset is a priority, and Operation Ragwort is a key part of delivering on that commitment.”

Environment Agency enforcement officer Clive Clasby said: “Waste crime adversely affects communities, undermines legitimate waste businesses and damages the environment. The Environment Agency will vigorously pursue those who flout the law.

“If you’re paying someone to take waste away, which could be a tradesperson or a man with a van, make sure they are a registered waste carrier.

“We have a public register on the Environment Agency website so anyone can do a quick search and check if the individual or company is legitimate.

"If you suspect that waste crime is taking place in your community, contact our 24/7 Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.”

Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council's cabinet member for Health and Housing, said: "We were very pleased to join forces with our colleagues at Dorset Police to work together on combatting rural crime and making our county safer and nicer for everyone.

"Waste crime is a serious problem in rural areas and is one we do not tolerate. Together we will act to prevent this and take enforcement action against those who are responsible."