Dorset Police news site

Months of planning has gone into ensuring police and partners are prepared to welcome visitors to Dorset for a safe summer period.

Work has been underway for several months to ensure plans and resourcing are in place to meet the demand that arrives with the increase in holidaymakers and daytrippers enjoying all that the county has to offer.

Those visiting the area are being urged to play their part and enjoy themselves responsibly as they enjoy the warmer weather that we hope to see in the weeks and months to come.

Police have been working with local authority partners, the fire service and other key community agencies to ensure there will be a visible presence in key locations so people are safe and feel safe.

Tackling violent crime and anti-social behaviour remains a key priority and weeks of careful planning has been carried out to ensure we are best placed to respond to any incidents that arise.

This year the Force will be boosted by an additional 40 officers deployed on our neighbourhood policing teams. This follows over 12 months of work and preparation by Dorset Police to provide an uplift for our communities, now supported by the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.

Officers will also be looking to build on proactive work to tackle key issues highlighted by local communities such as retail crime and knife crime, which are yielding positive results.

Our communities will see officers carrying out enhanced visible patrols in key locations, which will be supported by operations involving both plain-clothed and uniformed officers tackling predatory behaviour in the night time economy. We will also maximise the use of technology, work with our partners around CCTV and use specialist assets such as drones and the marine unit.

A public consultation is also currently open around the use of live facial recognition technology in Dorset.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: “We welcome around 25 million visitors every year on average to Dorset and the warmer weather during the summer months last year saw an additional 10 million people take a trip to the county.

“While Dorset remains one of the safest places in the county and our efforts over recent years have seen levels of anti-social behaviour and serious violence driven down, we have worked hard to prepare ahead of time to ensure we can meet the additional demand during our peak season.

“A vital part of this is working with partners to ensure those living and working in Dorset, as well as our visitors, enjoy a good safe summer.

“To support this effort, we are asking people to ensure they behave responsibly and look after themselves as well as each other.

“We remain committed to communicating with the public about the actions we are taking to keep them safe, engaging with our communities and listening to their views and concerns.

“If incidents do occur, our early planning has ensured we are in the best possible position to respond swiftly. We will not tolerate people causing trouble in our communities and our officers will take swift and robust action against anyone intent on committing crime or anti-social behaviour.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Darren Langdown, from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: “We want everyone to enjoy our beautiful countryside and coastline this summer, so we are urging residents and visitors alike to take extra care when out and about.

“Whether that’s abiding by the speed limit while on the roads, keeping at a safe distance when near waterways, or having a picnic rather than use a disposable barbecue, there are so many ways we can all do our bit to keep Dorset safe this summer.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I am pleased to see the extensive planning and strong partnership work that has gone into preparing Dorset for the busy summer season. With millions of visitors expected to enjoy everything our county has to offer, it is vital that we continue to prioritise both public safety and community confidence.

“The additional investment in neighbourhood policing, alongside proactive work to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, retail crime and knife crime, demonstrates a clear commitment to keeping Dorset one of the safest places in the country.

“I would echo the call for everyone to play their part, whether you live here or are visiting, make sure you act responsibly and look out for one another. By working together, we can ensure that Dorset remains a safe, welcoming and enjoyable place for all this summer.”

James Instance, Divisional Commander for HM Coastguard, said: “While warm weather and sunnier days encourage us to enjoy our coastline and waters, we want people to have a safe and responsible time.

“We remind water users that while the sea can seem inviting in hotter weather, UK waters will not reach peak warmth until August. Familiarise yourself with Float to Live advice, as it could save your life. Cold water shock can be a very real danger, so we advise the public not to swim alone, to check forecasts, and to acclimatise to temperature changes slowly. 

“Stay away from cliffs and areas of mud, take a mobile phone with you, and be aware of the tide times before your visit. If you get into trouble at the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."