A CRACKDOWN on rural crime around Dorset’s borders was launched as volunteer police officers teamed up with colleagues from neighbouring forces.

A team of 150 special constables from Dorset Police, Wiltshire Police, Devon and Cornwall Police, Avon and Somerset Police and Hampshire Constabulary patrolled 1,800 square miles of rural area in the two-day operation.

Communities, including Lyme Regis, Broadwindsor, Bridport, Sherborne and Blandford were all included in the patrol route.

The operation, led by Dorset Police’s Special Constabulary, involved proactive patrols in communities that have been targeted by criminals committing crime such as burglaries and rural thefts.

Officers carried out stop checks of vehicles travelling in the areas and paid particular attention to those who are known to carry out this type of crime. Special Inspector Ben Muspratt, of Dorset Police, said: “This is the third of this type of operation run by the Special Constabulary and each time it is growing larger.

“It is very clear that this high visibility operation has had a positive impact on the community. It has demonstrated to residents that all five forces are committed to tackling rural crime.

“Over 1,000 person and vehicle checks were conducted across the south west which sent out a very clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate such activity.”

North Dorset special constables followed an alarm sounding in the Tarrant Hinton area. When they checked the premises and located the landowner he confirmed it was a false alarm.

In the Sherborne area during patrols Dorset Specials located a six-wheeled off road vehicle with five people onboard with hunting equipment. A stop check confirmed that it belonged to the landowner who stated he was “extremely proud” officers were out patrolling his village.

“Later in the shift in the Sherborne area a vehicle was stopped for no insurance and seized from the owner. Avon and Somerset and Dorset specials dealt with a vehicle that had overturned near Broadwindsor as they were the nearest available units and another unit in the Bridport area dealt with a cow that had escaped onto the road.

Special Insp Muspratt added: “The Special Constabulary is keen to help tackle rural crime and we plan to carry out this operation on a regular basis.”

Dorset Police is recruiting for special constables and people interested in the role can go to dorset.police.uk Crime prevention advice is also available at crimeprevention.dorset.police.uk