POLICE officers are vowing to stop organised crime in the county.

A new partnership is the latest weapon in the bid to tackle the operations of criminal gangs in Dorset.

Under the banner of Project Spotlight, Dorset Police will share information with other agencies.

These agencies are councils across Dorset, the Environment Agency, the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), HM Revenue and Customs, the UK Border Agency and NHS Counter Fraud.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Callaghan, pictured, said: “Dorset Police are committed to sharing information with these partners to enable a holistic and deep-rooted approach toward tackling organised criminality. I want to make organised crime groups and their associates feel toxic – tackling them at every possible angle and reminding them we will not tolerate this type of activity in our communities.”

The idea for project spotlight came from a similar successful scheme used in Manchester.

DCI Callaghan said organised crime groups are across the UK, but their crimes vary depending on the area.

He added: “Organised crime can range from livestock theft, drug dealing to targeting vulnerable people for dodgy ruse.

“Yes, Dorset does have organised crime groups, like everywhere else. The type of crime is relevant to the area.

“But any groups like tat- we want to tackle and make them feel toxic.

“The police can’t do everything, so by working with partners we can share information and work out how we can really tackle those groups, destroy and stop them.”

He said information will be shared ‘day to day’ but partners will hold a monthly meeting.

The Project Spotlight tactical partnership group held its first meeting in January 2014.

Detective Chief Inspector Callaghan added: “The majority of partners held information on the organised crime groups and provided valuable intelligence at this meeting and identified further areas for the force to investigate.

“I hope that by sharing this information we are able to collectively dismantle these groups and prosecute those involved.”

DCI Callaghan said although the project is in its infancy, developments are being made and the public will be informed of future successes.

He urged anyone with information about organised criminality in Dorset to call us in confidence on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.