Organised crime ‘no longer elsewhere’
Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner has warned Parliament that serious and organised crime is taking deeper root across the county, urging ministers to put more weight behind prevention, neighbourhood policing and a reinvigorated national drugs strategy. Addressing the Home Affairs Select Committee, David Sidwick said the impact of criminal gangs is being felt in both urban and rural communities, challenging the view that such activity is confined to major cities.
“Too often, people think organised crime is something that happens somewhere else. The reality is very different. Organised criminal gangs are operating in Dorset and causing real harm in our communities.”
Mr Sidwick outlined a spectrum of offending linked to organised networks, from drug supply and exploitation through to offences that target the countryside. He said enforcement alone would not be enough to turn the tide, calling for sustained investment in early intervention to stop people—especially young people—being drawn into cycles of drug use and exploitation.
Rural and urban harms
The commissioner said that organised criminality is expressed in different ways across Dorset, with activity cutting across town centres, suburbs and farmland. He pointed to a rise in rural incidents typical of organised offending, alongside drugs markets and exploitation.
- Drug distribution and exploitation, including activity that targets vulnerable people
- Hare coursing and poaching, often linked to wider criminal networks
- Fly-tipping and metal theft, causing economic and environmental damage
- Theft of agricultural machinery and equipment from farms and rural businesses
Mr Sidwick stressed that the effects are immediate and local, even when groups operate across regions or nationally. He cautioned against reforms that could centralise decision-making to the detriment of local intelligence and accountability.
“Serious and organised crime may operate regionally and nationally, but its effects are felt locally.”
Call for prevention and a renewed drugs strategy
Arguing for a rebalanced approach, the commissioner urged the government to back prevention and education with the same determination as enforcement. He said agencies must work to prevent drug harms upstream and stop vulnerable people being pulled into exploitation, not simply deal with the aftermath.
He also raised concerns about rising ketamine use and its long-term health risks, urging ministers to consider faster action on classification and related policy.
“We are seeing increasing evidence of serious long-term health consequences. Government must move faster to tackle this growing threat.”
Mr Sidwick said momentum behind the national drugs strategy has slowed, warning that progress has been hampered by a lack of leadership and coordination. He called for a clear recommitment so that local efforts are reinforced by consistent national direction.
Neighbourhood policing under the spotlight
In his evidence, the commissioner described neighbourhood policing as one of the strongest tools against organised crime. He warned that changes which dilute community-based teams or reduce local decision-making could erode the very networks of knowledge that help identify exploitation, disrupt dealers and reassure residents.
The emphasis on local presence aligns with concerns expressed by rural communities who report that visibility, swift response and intelligence-sharing are critical to tackling offences such as machinery theft and hare coursing, as well as supporting missing persons searches and seasonal risks like heathland fires.
Partnership initiatives highlighted
Despite the challenges, Mr Sidwick praised the work of Dorset Police and partner agencies. He cited joint operations that combine enforcement, safeguarding and prevention as examples of what can be achieved with sustained collaboration.
| Initiative | Focus |
|---|---|
| Operation Scorpion | Coordinated action across the South West to disrupt drugs supply and associated exploitation |
| Clear, Hold, Build | Area-based approach: remove criminal influence, maintain control, and support community resilience |
These efforts, he said, demonstrate the value of combining targeted enforcement with community-building, education and support services—an approach he believes should be underpinned by national policy and stable funding.
What this means for Dorset residents
For communities across Dorset, the commissioner’s message is that tackling organised crime will require both visible policing and long-term prevention. Residents can expect continued emphasis on intelligence-led patrols, multi-agency problem-solving and support for those at risk of exploitation. The appeal to ministers suggests potential changes in national priorities—particularly around drug policy—that could influence local programmes and resources.
While the PCC’s evidence underlines the seriousness of the threat, it also points to practical steps already being taken in the county. The direction of travel he set out—prioritising neighbourhood policing, prevention and reinvigorated partnership working—will be closely watched by councils, health services, education providers and local organisations that play a part in keeping Dorset communities safe.
