STAMP out crime at the same time as you stamp your letters for the postbox.

That's the latest idea being suggested by police for Dorset's rural areas where the county's constabulary could work with village post offices.

The scheme, which is flourishing in the Norfolk countryside, involves police public enquiry officers training post office staff to deal with routine issues on their behalf.

Customers can report non-urgent crime, hand in lost property - and show their driving documents following a brush with the law on the road - at the same time as posting Christmas parcels or applying for a new passport.

They can get crime prevention advice and home beat officers drop by regularly to make contact.

The scheme is not there to replace police stations but to support the existing ones, said proposer Emily Gasson, North Dorset spokesperson for the LibDems.

Parliamentary hopeful Ms Gasson, an expert in tackling antisocial behaviour, said: "Through my work I meet people who feel awkward reporting crime in a police station in case the perpetrators see them.

"However, they would feel comfortable about dropping into the local post office or village shop where they could be either shopping or reporting crimes.

"This project may be a partial solution to the problem of people's fear of reporting crime.

"I also believe it would strengthen the relationship between the police and the villages."

Blandford's new police inspector, Tim Lumley, said: "Any initiative which encourages community interaction should be welcomed, so long as it provides the public service and reassurance to which Dorset Police are committed."

First published: November 18