TWO new mobile police stations are touring Dorset to provide a more visible police presence in the county.
The new mobile stations will offer a chance for members of the public to raise any concerns about anti-social behaviour as well as providing a place to chat to officers about any other crime-related concerns.
The force’s western vehicle will come to the Cornhill Market area in Dorchester on the first Tuesday of each month, followed by Sherborne Co-op at Westbridge Park on the first Thursday of the month.
Bridport Morrisons will also be visited on the second Tuesday of the month, followed by Marine Parade in Lyme Regis on the second Thursday, the main beach car park in Swanage on the third Tuesday and finally Streche Road car park in Wareham every third Thursday of the month.
Meanwhile the eastern vehicle will visit Sainsbury’s Ferndown on the first Tuesday of the month, followed by Verwood Memorial Hall on the first Thursday, the Allendale Community Centre in Wimborne on the second Tuesday, Shaftesbury Lidl on the second Thursday, Christchurch retail park on the third Thursday and finally Highcliffe Cliff Top car park on the third Thursday of the month.
Each vehicles will attend each location from 11am to 1pm each day, but this could change. People are asked to check the Dorset Police website to stay updated with the times.
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Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said the one constant people want to see is a more visible police presence.
“As well as delivering on my police and crime plan commitment to make policing more visible and connected, I am pleased to have made good on my pledge to bring policing closer to people,” he said.
“In this instance, these mobile police stations will be where the people are – not in remote buildings which are hard to reach, but in busy areas, which are easily accessible.“
Officers on hand at the mobile stations to talk to residents Picture: Dorset Police
He added: “While Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country, it is vital that people feel safe, and I hope having a consistent, regular opportunity to raise issues and discuss concerns with officers demonstrates our commitment to listening and providing a reassuring and visible presence across our county.”
Assistant chief constable Mark Callaghan, of Dorset Police, said each mobile station are being placed in more rural areas that see a high level of footfall.
“This new way to engage with us builds on the success of the hundreds of pop-up community contact points held across the force throughout the year,” he said.
“With mobile police stations, community contact points, the online website portal, calls to 101 and 999 in an emergency, request a call back facility, social media channels for every area across the force, as well as enquiry offices at Bournemouth, Weymouth and Blandford, there is a range of options for members of the public to engage with us.”
The initiative has received community infrastructure levy funding from Dorset Council – money allocated from developers to help establish infrastructure projects – to provide a fully electric vehicle in the east of the county.
Councillor Richard Biggs, deputy leader and cabinet member for property and assets and economic growth at Dorset Council said: “It was great to look round both mobile police station vehicles and in particular the electric vehicle supplied via developer contributions.
“I know they it has already been put to great use in our communities in the east of the county and very well received.”
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