Dorchester police are smashing their targets in the fight against crime.

Over the period from July 1 to September 30 this year, the county town's policemen have reduced crime figures across the board.

And alcohol and drug-related incidents have been successfully targeted.

At a full meeting of Dorchester Town Council, Police Inspector Andy Mason told councillors that the local police were performing extremely well.

The target for reducing recorded crime over this period was five per cent, but a decrease of 11 per cent was achieved.

Eighty-three vehicle crime offences were recorded, compared to 97 in the same period last year, a decrease of 17 per cent, beating the target of 10 per cent.

And 20 violent crime offences were recorded compared to 22 last year, a decrease of 10 per cent, beating the five per cent target.

Dwelling burglaries were cut from 27 to 22, but Inspector Mason added that the use of basic crime prevention methods by homeowners would reduce this figure even more.

The only increase was in serious injury and fatal traffic accidents, up from nine last year to 14 this year.

The town's police also have a specific plan that aims to reduce incidents of disorder caused by the effects of drugs and alcohol by five per cent over the year.

Police were called to 84 incidents of disorder during the above period compared with 96 incidents over the same period last year, a reduction of 14 per cent.