Inspector Adam Gill, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said: “I want to thank all those who came along to support this joint day of action in Dorset.
“By harnessing the combined knowledge and expertise of regional colleagues and partner agencies, it gives us the best possible chance of tackling rural criminality, which is often linked to organised crime and operates across county borders.
“We also recognise the blight that waste crime has on our environment and rural communities and we are committed to working with our partners to tackling this issue.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said “I am pleased to see Dorset Police working together with neighbouring forces and partner agencies in the latest Operation Ragwort. This operation is about standing shoulder to shoulder with our rural communities and making it clear that crime in Dorset’s countryside will not be tolerated.
“Criminals do not respect county borders, so it is vital that we work seamlessly with neighbouring forces and partners to strengthen intelligence, increase visible policing, and ensure those who target farms, businesses and wildlife know they will be pursued and brought to justice. Protecting rural Dorset is a priority, and Operation Ragwort is a key part of delivering on that commitment.”
Philip Wilkinson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said “Our rural communities deserve to feel safe in their homes, on their farms and in their villages.
"Operation Ragwort is about forces working together across the region to protect the people who live and work in our countryside. By sharing intelligence and resources with our neighbouring counties, we can better prevent crime, disrupt organised gangs and provide a stronger, more visible response for local residents.
"This collaboration ensures that no community is left to face these challenges alone.”
