Operation Heathland launches today, Monday 21 March, to protect Dorset’s heathland from fire, theft and anti-social behaviour.

The start of the operation coincides with Arson Awareness Week – a national week of action which aims to tackle awareness of fire and its consequences.

Organisations who want to protect Dorset’s heathland from vandalism, damage and arson, are working collectively to maintain the county’s precious natural landscape, by carrying out educational programmes and prevention activity in schools, the community and on heathlands.

The group, known as the Urban Heaths Partnership (UHP), comprises of 14 organisations, including Dorset Police, Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, local authorities, Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust, the National Trust, the RSPB and the Forestry Commission.

As well as arson, the UHP tackles issues including:

• Trampling of rare plants and animals
• Erosion of vegetation and sandy heathland soil
• Disturbance of ground-nesting birds such as nightjars and woodlarks
• Enrichment of the soil by dog faeces
• Fly-tipping of rubbish and garden refuse
• Predation of rare animals by domestic pets​

The initiative, in its 17^th year, is running between 21 March and 30 September.

Last year, there were over 100 reports of heath/grass type fires. Six youths were arrested and dealt with through the Youth Justice System for three separate offences.

Inspector Claire Phillips, from Poole Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We conduct high visibility patrols across the heaths, as well as run events in conjunction with Urban Heaths Partnership to prevent damage being caused to the local environment and animals’ and peoples’ lives being put at risk.

“Dorset’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), Specials, Dog Units and members from Horse Watch in east Dorset assist in protecting the heathland by catching and apprehending offenders, who commit crimes including arson, poaching and road traffic offences.

“Illegal riding of motorbikes and scramblers erodes fragile heathland soil and puts lives in danger on public open spaces. Anyone caught riding a motorbike off-road could be issued with a Section 59 notice (Police reform Act 2002) if using the vehicle in such a way as to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to a member of the public and risk having their motorbike seized.”

Nearly a third of Dorset’s internationally important heathland is situated in the urban areas of south east Dorset, with nearly half a million people living nearby. The majority of Dorset heaths are designated ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest'(SSSI) and above such as ‘Special Protection Area’ (SPA).

Inspector Phillips added: “Classifications are put in place to protect these important habitats and they require active management if we are to invest for future generations.

Gaynor Mant from Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: “Arson is the biggest threat to heathland wildlife. Deliberate and accidental fires can destroy whole colonies of wildlife. Be careful with cigarette butts and do not use disposable BBQs on heaths.

“People need to be aware of the risks to the heath and potential house fires.”

Paul Attwell, the Urban Heaths Partnership manager said: “The Urban Heaths Partnership continues to work together to help protect and enhance our local heathland, which is important not just to the local community, but internationally as well.

“Protecting and managing these sites are a shared responsibility with landowners, managers, Natural England and site users.

“Site managers will be working closely with the Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and the police to reduce the number of fires and anti-social behaviour on these sites.

“Fires in the summer on heathlands can have devastating effects on the wildlife and vegetation; they can take up to 25 years to recover. These fires can in the right conditions travel as fast as an Olympic sprinter.”

Dorset heaths are home to all six native reptiles: smooth snake, grass snake, adder, sand lizard, common lizard and slow worm – and for some of these our heaths are the only remaining natural habitat in the UK.

If you see a fire or anti-social behaviour being committed on a heathland, get to safety and call the police on the emergency number, 999.

Volunteers are being recruited who regularly visit the heaths and would be willing to give up a small amount of their time to help protect them. The UHP offer training to Heath Watch groups on Dorset’s open spaces.

Call 01202 642787, email urbanheaths@dorsetcc.gov.uk or visit the Community Heath Watch page on Facebook for more information or sign up to receive alerts about heathlands by joining Heath Watch via Dorset Alert.

Please follow the link below to see a copy of the latest newsletter from the Dorset Police Neighbourhood Policing Team –

Neighbourhood Policing Team Newsletter March 2016

Within the past 24 hours a number of businesses throughout the UK have received extortion demands from a group calling themselves ‘RepKiller Team’.

Method of Attack:

• The group have sent emails demanding payment of between £300 – £500 in Bitcoins by a certain date and time.
• If their demand is not met, they have threatened to launch a cyber attack against the business and its reputation by automating hundreds of negative reviews online.
• The demand states that once their actions have started, they cannot be undone.

If you have received such a demand, or receive one in the future, you are advised to:

• Make a report to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via the online reporting tool on www.actionfraud.police.uk
• Do not pay the demand
• Retain the original emails (with headers)
• Maintain a timeline of the attack, recording all times, type and content of the contact

All affected businesses, whether the attack is attempted or successful, should report in the first instance to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via www.actionfraud.police.uk

Police personnel from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall and Avon and Somerset Police Forces have taken part in a three day conference to gain a deeper insight into the many issues associated with rural and wildlife crime – in particular poaching and how illegal meat enters the food chain locally.

Police Officers, Police Community Support Officers and Special Constables were joined by representatives from organisations including the National Wildlife Crime Unit, Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Dorset Deer Management and the UK Deer Initiative last week.

The training sessions aimed to educate delegates about wildlife crime and the legislation surrounding hunting, poaching and various criminal acts that impact on rural communities, whilst sharing best practice, intelligence and operational tactics.

The event, which was opened by Assistant Chief Constable David Lewis at Kingston Mauward College near Dorchester, was the first of its kind in the South West region.

Dorset Police operational lead for wildlife crime, Inspector Mike Darby, said: “Cross border partnerships have proved successful in the past, which is why various organisations will be gathering together on a more frequent basis.”

“This training event gives officers and organisations opportunities to share knowledge and learn about the huge amount of legislation in relation to different species, including door mice, badgers, eels and bats and also gaining a further insight into fox hunting legislation and animal cruelty offences.”

The event covered an array of legislation which can be used by agencies to successfully prosecute offenders and identify wildlife crime offences. Participants were shown different types of traps and devices used to capture animals, the signs to look for in wildlife being poisoned and illegally killed. Delegates were also shown how to examine poaching sites and seize evidence.

Inspector Darby continued: “There are a wide range of laws which people can be prosecuted for. The people who commit rural crime offences tend to be involved in other types of criminality as well.

“Poachers rarely kill their prey humanely and the use of dogs allows them to attack and cause significant damage to the animal.

“We are contacted on almost a daily basis by members of the community who believe poaching is happening.

Dorset Police work closely with the National Wildlife Crime Unit who provides a close liaison point regarding wildlife crime and associated national intelligence about poachers and criminals who work across county borders.

Inspector Darby added: “Reports of poaching in West Dorset is quite significant. Wild deer and pheasant rearing operations are targeted along with hare coursing and fisheries. These crimes normally happen at night.

“These offences have a significant impact on the landowners where their property is damaged and their livelihoods impacted by criminal activity.

“Illegal traps used to poach and kill wildlife do not discriminate between wildlife, livestock or domestic pets.”

“We often get called by gamekeepers and landowners stating that there are people trespassing on their land. We will seek to take positive action against offenders.”

Crime affects the rural community just as it does in urban areas, according to Inspector Darby. He said: “A pheasant rearing operation; rearing thousands of pheasants each year brings in a huge amount of income.

“If 200-300 birds are killed in one night – either for the pleasure of it or to enter them into the food chain – that clearly has a significant impact on your business.

“People who commit rural crime have a significant impact on land owners and people’s legitimate businesses.”

“I would encourage anyone who knows people who are involved in this activity to contact us on 101 or speak to officers from your Neighbourhood Policing Team or if a crime is in progress, dial 999.”

Nick Parr, Senior Environmental Health Officer from Purbeck District Council attended the conference. He said: “Illegal poaching is commonplace in Dorset, which is why we’re keen to work together with partner agencies to combine skills and intelligence to prevent criminals engaging in activity which is unlawful.

“We are particularly concerned about illegally poached meat entering the food chain as this is an offence under food regulations and potentially harmful to the consumer   and damaging to legitimate food businesses.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill said: “A recent survey by the National Rural Crime Network found that 32 per cent of respondents are more fearful of becoming victims of crime than five years ago, compared to three per cent who are less fearful.

“I have met many rural business owners and residents in my time as PCC who have seen their livelihoods destroyed due to the severe impact of crime. I have met others who fear the same happening to them, so I can understand how the fear of crime is high in rural communities.

“It is vital we work with our communities to ensure we tackle these hugely impactive crimes head on. The role of the wildlife officers in tackling these issues is a key component to this, as is the training recently delivered. ”