Country Watch News

Rural Crime Prevention Leaflet

The Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime (DPARC) has launched an information leaflet which gives hints and tips on crime prevention, especially for those living in rural areas.

The information leaflet gives proactive advice on how to help keep farms, land and machinery safe, with key police-approved information and advice on how to prevent residents from becoming a victim of crime

Download the leaflet here.

Watch a series of videos relating to rural crime on the  Police and Crime Commissioner's YouTube channel here.

Latest Rural Crime News 

Force launches new way to report Heritage Crime  - Dorset Police has launched a new way to report heritage crime to help preserve the county’s historic sites from crime and anti-social behaviour.                                                                               

Meeting with the National Farmers Union - PCC David Sidwick met with Dorset farmers and the National Farmers Union (NFU) to discuss rural crime and what is being done locally to tackle it.

Protector our beautiful countryside - PCC David Sidwick talks about what we can all do to protector our beautiful countryside.

Enviroment Agency: What is happening in Dorset -  Environment Agency Enforcement Lead for Wessex, Lucy Woodland, gives you an overview of waste crime and highlights what is happening to keep Dorset’s residents and countryside safe.

Latest updates from the Environment Agency - #wastecrimewednesday

Environment Agency officers worked with North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to apprehend the individuals - Recycling fraud investigation

Environment Agency discovers toxic waste being dumped illegally in a quarry, Fraud Squad - BBC iPlayer

Extension of the public spaces protection orders 2025 by Dorset Council

By extending the restrictions and areas protected by the Public Space Protection Orders which started on the 1 July 2025 and run for three years they assist through:

• Wildfire Prevention & Environmental Protection
  By prohibiting open flames and similar activities in vulnerable landscapes like heathlands and forests
• Conservation of Sensitive Coastal and Rural Areas
  The new restriction at Studland Beach protects a delicate coastal ecosystem from damage caused by unregulated overnight camping, helping preserve the area’s natural beauty and tranquillity.

Fly Tipping news...

In spring 2025, it was announced that a jointly funded position between Dorset Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for a fly-tipping investigator, was being extended for a second year. Read the articles below to learn more about the positive results achieved so far. 

Fly-tipping fines increase by 78% thanks to joint funding initiative | Bournemouth Echo

Waste dumpers pay the price as fly tipping fines soar - Somerset Live

Fly-tipping fines increase by 78 per cent in Dorset

Dorset's Rural Crime Team released a video to educate dog owners about livestock worrying. Watch it here.

In April 2025, The Dorset Police Rural Crime Team secured a conviction in which a man has been ordered to pay significant costs following a hare coursing incident in Dorchester.

In January 2025, a 28 year-old man from East Dorset and a 22 year-old woman from Wimborne were arrested by on suspicion after seven puppies were stolen in North Dorset. Following further investigations, a man aged in his 40s was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods and he has also been released on police bail.

In November 2024, one individual was arrested and a van linked to trailer theft across Dorest was seized. A number of power tools were also seized for identification.

On 19 November 2024, seven ponies were seized in relation to a welfare investigation. Officers from the Rural Crime Team attended a field in West Dorset alongside partners from the RSPCA, and World Horse Welfare charity. After an assessment from a vet, officers seized the ponies under the Animal welfare Act to prevent unnecessary suffering. An investigation is ongoing.

On 19 October 2024, Rural Crime Officers generated and progressed intelligence into a motorhome being sold online. It was found in Templecombe and identified as being stolen from Derbyshire so once tracked down, the motorhome was seized by offiers. An investigation has now started to identify those responsible for its theft. Another fantastic example of policing from our dedicated Rural Crime Team officers.

Officers from the Environment Agency, Dorset Police and Dorset Council visited a site close to Verwood in September 2024 to gather evidence and intelligence of potential illegal waste activity taking place at the site. They found evidence of domestic waste including electrical goods, furniture and garden waste, some of which had been burnt.

Farmer event in Dorchester to tackle livestock attacks - An event held near Dorchester will help to raise awareness and help farmers understand more on what to do when faced with a dog attack, how to protect livestock, how vets can help, learn about future deterrents - and provide an opportunity to talk to their local Rural Crime Team officers.

PCC Newsletter providing updates on a range of rural issues and measures put in place to enhance safety in Dorset's countryside, from September 2024.

PCC Newsletter highlighting partnership work helping to secure convictions against prolific offenders in Dorset, from March 2024.

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team #RuralLive - Officers shared on social media what they were up to...including stopping a number of vehicles, engagement with rural communities, videos of a few of the Rural Mounted Volunteers, and some positive outcomes!

Rural Mounted Volunteer scheme is launched in Dorset  - Dorset Police officially welcomed its first Rural Mounted Volunteers at a launch ceremony which took place at Kingston Maurward College yesterday evening, 12 October 2023.

Shaun the Sheep's Guide to The Countryside Code - general advice for being out and about in the countryside.

Apps offering waste disposal services are a new and emerging risk - make sure you know your duty of care obligations.Using apps to dispose of waste: know the risks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)