Rural crime targeted in police crackdown

Under the title ‘Operation Midas’ officers from Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset came together on the evening of Friday February 13, to target rural crime.
Dorset Police helped provide an enhanced presence and utilise additional resources, such as dog handlers and traffic officers.
More than 50 vehicles were stopped, leading to three arrests relating to drug and alcohol offences and weapons were seized.
Potential criminal poaching offences were also prevented when individuals were dispersed from the Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire border area using recently introduced legislation under the Anti-social Behaviour Crime & Policing Act 2014.
The collaborative approach in tackling rural crime forms part of Dorset Police’s ongoing Rural Crime Strategy.
Operation Midas will be repeated at intervals throughout the year with Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire forces taking turns on leading the initiative.
Each force also works in partnership with their respective rural business communities to ensure a joined-up approach to combat rural crime.
Inspector Wayne Nock, of Dorset Police, said: “This was a successful combined operation that demonstrated tangible positive results on the night.
“It also reinforces our message to the rural communities of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset that we certainly take rural crime very seriously and will continue to proactively target anyone who attempts to commit crime of any type within rural areas.”