Mobile police stations being introduced in Dorset from September

New Mobile Police Stations are being rolled out this autumn in Dorset so that officers are more visible and accessible.

The Force is changing its front counter provision in four out of seven locations, in line with public use, while keeping all local stations open for operational policing.

Three stations at Blandford, Bournemouth and Weymouth will continue to offer front counter provision to members of the public. Dorset Police will retain police stations for operational use by officers, staff and volunteers at Bridport, Gillingham, Poole and Sherborne, however the front counters will close in the autumn.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Lyne said: “Keeping Dorset safe for everyone means focusing on the changing way the public want to contact us while also making sure we have the right resources in the right places. People are contacting the police more and more online, but they also want to see officers and staff in their neighbourhoods.

“We recognise the need to ensure there is a geographical split of our front counter provision and we have, therefore, prioritised keeping front counter services open at Blandford, Bournemouth and Weymouth for those occasions when tasks must be completed at a station and our custody suites. We are introducing new Mobile Police Stations to be in the heart of neighbourhoods, and we are maintaining our successful Community Contact Points too. This means we can keep offering a comprehensive service for everyone – online and in person – across Dorset, as well as keeping all our local stations open for operational work by our frontline officers, staff and volunteers.

“With ongoing financial pressures due to rising costs and national funding, the review of our counter service provision is among a large-scale programme of work taking place to ensure we can operate an efficient and sustainable policing service to help keep our communities safe.”