A NEW Dorset Police unit focusing on rural crime has been unveiled following its inaugural meeting.

The new Rural Crime Team will include rural crime team co-ordinator, a rural engagement officer and a rural crime analyst as well as nominated officers in each of Dorset's five rural sections - Bridport, Dorchester and Sherborne, Purbeck, East Dorset and North Dorset.

The team's first meeting took place at Kingston Maurward College, with the officers present, as well as councillors and representatives from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the National Farmers' Union and Trading Standards.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill launched the team and opened the meeting at the college.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Cooper then gave a speech, outlining the Dorset Police vision for the team.

Mr Underhill said: “I know from the many rural residents and business owners I have met in Dorset that the fear of crime is high in rural areas. I also know the severe impact rural crime has on victims and their livelihoods.

“Introducing a dedicated team will ensure that more proactive work is done to target this type of criminality, and that we can make people living and working in Dorset’s many rural areas feel safe.

"It also introduces consistency across intelligence, investigation and crime prevention.”

Mr Cooper said that Dorset Police is looking to develop a "bespoke approach" to tackling rural crime.

PC Claire Dinsdale, rural crime team co-ordinator, said: “We will be attending a number of events over the coming weeks and look forward to meeting as many members of our rural communities as possible.

“Tom and I, along with the rest of the team, are passionate about rural crime. We know that the new team will be a valuable resource, but we can’t expect success without the help of the public.

“Reporting crime and suspicious incidents is fundamental to catching offenders and bringing them to justice, so we will be enlisting the help of our communities to tackle rural crime. We can’t wait to get started.”

The Rural Crime Team started work on Monday, August 15 and PC Dinsdale will attend the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show today, alongside rural engagement officer PCSO Tom Balchin.