A LARGE joint operation took place to try and tackle rural crime in Dorset and the surrounding counties.

A team of 40 Special Constables from Dorset Police, Wiltshire Police and Hampshire Constabulary patrolled 1400 miles of rural area in the South West last weekend.

The operation was led by Dorset Police’s Special Constabulary and patrolled villages and towns around areas including Bridport, Lyme Regis, Wareham and Broadwindsor.

Police carried out proactive patrols in communities that have been targeted by criminals committing crimes such as burglaries and rural theft.

The operation was set up to try and detect and prevent rural crime.

Some of the action carried out included officers witnessing an assault in Dorchester where they arrested a man and the seizing of a vehicle in the Bridport area as the driver had no insurance.

Special constables are unpaid volunteer police officers who have the same powers of arrest and wear the same uniform as regular officers and perform a wide range of duties.

Special inspector Ben Muspratt, of Dorset Police, said: “This is the fifth operation of its kind, which has been led by the special constabulary. We are continuing to develop this operation to target those who commit rural crime across all counties involved.

“It is very clear that this high visibility operation has had a positive impact on the community. It has demonstrated to residents that all three forces are committed to tackling rural crime. We want to send out a very clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate such activity.”

Stop checks of vehicles were carried out during the operation with particular attention paid to those who are known to carry out rural crime.

In Purbeck, Special Constables were patrolling the area and responding to incidents of poaching and burglary.

Other areas included in the patrols include Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Wimborne and Ringwood.

Hampshire Specials assisted in East Dorset in locating suspicious vehicles that attempted to carry out crimes in an industrial area.

If you want to find out more information about becoming a special constable, go to www.dorset.police.uk.

Advice on how to protect yourself and your property against rural crime can be found at www.crimeprevention.dorset.police.uk.