Dorset Police is ready to welcome everyone to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend
The Force has been preparing to ensure residents and visitors enjoy a good, safe Bank Holiday weekend in Dorset.
With a number of events taking place this weekend, including Bournemouth 7s and Christchurch Food Festival, the Force has ensured it is prepared to meet any increased demand.
There are dedicated plans in place so that residents, businesses and visitors can enjoy everything that the county has to offer.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said: “Dorset remains one of the safest counties in the country and we would like to make sure that crime continues to fall.
“With the Bank Holiday weekend marking the start of the school holidays for some, we know that this will bring an increase in visitors into Dorset to explore our beautiful area.
“We have already seen our demand rise as the weather has improved, but please be reassured that we have planned for this and we are ready to respond to look after you all.
“We want everyone to act responsibly – you will see us out and about in hotspot areas and we will be taking appropriate action against anyone who is acting anti-socially or committing criminal offences.
“A number of operations are already in place to ensure we have our resources in the right places. There will be officers out on high-visibility proactive patrols as part of Operation Nightjar to police the night-time economy and keep everyone safe.
“We would encourage you to speak to us while we are out on patrol – we are there for your safety to help you enjoy a good, safe summer.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank our officers and staff who work in often challenging circumstances, but continue to deliver a good service for our communities.
“We continue to ask visitors and residents to help us by using our online channels when reporting a non-emergency, rather than calling 101. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, always dial 999.”
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: "As Police and Crime Commissioner I would like to welcome all our visitors over the Summer - all 25 million of you who take a day off to come and enjoy what our beautiful county has to offer.
"But whether you visit for the day or stay for a week, I would ask that when you come to Dorset, you do so with good intentions and that your visit to our beautiful county is nothing but a happy memory for you, your family and friends.
"Please don’t come to Dorset with the intent to cause trouble, we have worked hard to achieve a significant reduction in anti-social behaviour and serious violence and we are determined to keep on driving down the types of crime and criminality that can have long term negative effects on our communities - so please don’t come to Dorset for any other reason than to have fun and to enjoy what I hope will be a ‘good safe summer’ for everyone."
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