POLICE forces from across the South West descended on Dorset as part of a co-ordinated crackdown on rural and waste crime.

Officers from Dorset Police were joined by colleagues from Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire for a day of enhanced intelligence-led patrols.

The operation saw activity across the county.

In the east, officers worked alongside the Environment Agency and Dorset Council to target vehicles suspected of being linked to waste offences.

(Picture: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner)

Further vehicle stops were carried out on the A35 Puddletown bypass, while rural police community support officers hosted engagement events offering crime prevention advice.

The drone team also supported patrols targeting poaching.

During the joint operation in the east, ten vehicles were stopped, five of which were inspected by the Environment Agency.

(Picture: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner)

Although no illegal waste was found, a number of other offences were uncovered.

One driver was arrested after a positive drugs wipe. Nine further tickets were issued for offences including an overweight vehicle, an insecure load and no insurance. Three vehicles were handed prohibition notices for being unsafe to drive, requiring remedial action.

On the Puddletown bypass, officers stopped 21 vehicles including caravans, trailers and plant machinery. Checks were carried out against national databases, with one driver issued a traffic offence report and other motorists given words of advice.

(Picture: Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner)

Insp 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 the operation showed criminals that “crime in Dorset’s countryside will not be tolerated”.

Environment Agency enforcement officer Clive Clasby urged residents to check waste carriers are registered and report concerns, while Councillor Gill Taylor said waste crime “is a serious problem in rural areas and is one we do not tolerate”.

Dorset Council’s cabinet member for health and housing Cllr Gill Taylor said: “Waste crime is a serious problem in rural areas and is one we do not tolerate. Together we will act to prevent this and take enforcement action.”