THE POLICE team may have moved to a new home but officers say it remains "business as usual" in Christchurch.

The force based in the borough vacated their offices at Barrack Road in late-August.

Having made the 0.7 mile trip up Fairmile to Christchurch Fire Station and settled in at their new premises, Dorset Police allowed the Christchurch Times to visit the local team.

On visiting the police base at the fire station, PC Matt Leeding, Christchurch town beat officer, said operations have progressed as if there had been no move.

"Coming here went extremely smoothly. We moved at the end of last month and as you would expect there were a couple of very little teething issues just moving in, but apart from that there has been no change of service," PC Leeding said.

"We're all in working together and there's been no real stresses around the move.

"It's all business as usual. We're doing what we do, with what we have, serving the community."

From spending a short time on patrol as an observer, it is clear the pubic welcome an active police presence in the town.

PC Leeding visits the town centre most days, keeping in contact with traders and making various enquiries.

"People love seeing the bobby on the beat," he said.

"I know most of the retailers in town. Members of the public like seeing us out and about in Christchurch.

"They're pro with what we're doing and supportive."

Outside the town centre, there are other neighbour teams covering Central Christchurch, West Christchurch, Grange, and Mudeford and Highcliffe.

The 15-strong neighbourhood police team work alongside the various response officers."

Figures presented at a recent Christchurch Borough Council meeting revealed the number of reported crimes in the town had increased - 289 more offences than the previous year.

Inspector Cheyne Marley told members the changes to the way crimes were recorded played a significant part in the annual figures rising.

"East Dorset is one of the safest places in the country. Comparatively we have very low rates of crime," PC Leeding said.

"Theft is down, we have the occasional dwelling break, but again you look at the figures you see the way that's recorded now has recently changed.

"On the whole, Christchurch is still a very safe place. We've got low crime rates compared to the rest of the country and it is a safe place to live."