Dorset Police news site

A unit dedicated to managing the county’s highest risk offenders for violence against women and girls (VAWG) has secured additional protection for a stalking victim.

Dorset Police’s High Harm Unit was set up in 2023 and sees a dedicated team monitor the 15 highest risk VAWG offenders in the county, with an early intervention approach taken to prevent an escalation in offending behaviour and provide better protection to victims.

The initiative has proven effective, with the latest figures showing those being monitored have reduced their VAWG offending by 59 per cent over the last six months and 40 per cent over the year as a whole.

While intervening early and achieving desistance is the primary aim, where offenders do begin offending the enhanced knowledge of the High Harm Unit means they are able to respond swiftly to assist in locating suspects and helping to bring them to justice.

They will also work to secure enhanced protection for victims and this was the case when Matthew Ashley Foster-Smith, aged 46 and of Bournemouth, was convicted for stalking offences committed between May and October 2023 and jailed for two years and two months.

Officers from the unit subsequently worked to secure a Stalking Prevention Order, which was imposed at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 8 January 2026, that will run indefinitely and will ensure he is subject to a range of restrictions when he is released from prison.

The order includes requirements to keep police informed of his address and vehicle details as well as to maintain contact with his police offender manager. It also prohibits him from contacting his victim in any way as well as restrictions on his use of electronic communications devices.

Detective Inspector Marcus McCorkell, of the High Harm Unit, said: “We want all members of our communities to be safe and feel safe, but evidence shows that women and girls are disproportionately impacted by violent and harassing behaviour.

“We recently launched our Here for Her Safety campaign, highlighting our commitment to tackling VAWG offences and supporting victims to come forward and seek support.

“Key to our work in tackling VAWG has been our focus on managing the perpetrators who pose the highest risk and addressing offending behaviour.

“The High Harm Unit has seen a dedicated resource achieve real results in this area and we will continue to do all we can to prevent reoffending as well as respond quickly to protect and support victims if offences do occur.”