VOLUNTEER police officers from Dorset joined colleagues from other forces for a weekend crackdown on rural crime.

A team of special constables from Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and the Devon and Cornwall force patrolled 1,700 square miles on April 18 and 19.

Villages and towns around Wareham, Upton, Axminster, Lyme Regis, Broadwindsor, Bridport, Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Blandford, Wimborne, Verwood, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, Brockenhurst and Christchurch were all included in the patrol route.

The operation, led by Dorset Police’s Special Constabulary, involved proactive patrols in communities that have been targeted by criminals committing crime such as burglaries and rural thefts.

Officers carried out stop checks of vehicles travelling in the areas and paid particular attention to those who are known to carry out this type of crime.

Special Inspector Ben Muspratt, of Dorset Police, said:“It is very clear that this high visibility operation has had a positive impact on the community. It has demonstrated to residents that all four forces are committed to tackling rural crime.

“Over 1,000 person and vehicle checks were conducted across the south west, which sent out a very clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate such activity.”

Specials issued several Fixed Penalty Notices to drivers committing offences and one driver was dealt with for possession of cannabis.

Technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was used to highlight possible offenders. Dorset Special Constables also attended 11 incidents across the county.

In north Dorset Special Constables were first on scene at a serious assault in Blandford. The officers were able to give first aid and gather evidence to assist with locating the offender. In a separate incident officers arrested a male for being drunk and disorderly.

In east Dorset, Specials were called to a vehicle being broken into in the Witchampton area and in the Purbeck area, Special Constables patrolled the section and located a suspicious vehicle in the Coombe Keynes area.

Special Inspector Muspratt added: “The Special Constabulary is keen to help tackle rural crime and we plan to carry out this operation on a regular basis.

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

“Dorset Police are keen to encourage anyone interested to ‘be part of something more’ and look at our website www.dorset.police.uk for more information on this unique voluntary role.”