Rural crime targeted in police operation
Date of alert:
Tuesday, 1 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Dorset Police
Dorset Police led an operation targeting rural crime this month that thwarted poachers, seized weapons and gained valuable intelligence into criminal activity.
Under the title ‘Operation Midas’ officers from Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset came together on the evening of Friday 13 February 2015 to provide an enhanced presence and utilise additional resources such as dog handlers and traffic officers.
Over 50 vehicles were stopped, leading to three arrests relating to drug and alcohol offences and weapons were seized.
Potential criminal poaching offences were also prevented when some individuals were dispersed from the Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire border area using recently introduced legislation under the Anti-social Behavior Crime & Policing Act 2014.
The collaborative approach in tackling rural crime forms part of Dorset Police’s ongoing Rural Crime Strategy.
Operation Midas will be repeated at intervals throughout the year with Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire forces taking turns on leading the initiative.
