AN OPERATION led by Dorset Police to target rural crime thwarted poachers and led to the seizure of weapons.

Operation Midas saw officers from Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire come together on February 13 to provide an enhanced presence and utilise additional resources such as dog handlers and traffic officers.

More than 50 vehicles were stopped, leading to three arrests relating to drug and alcohol offences and weapons were seized.

Police also say 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 and Policing Act 2014.

Inspector Wayne Nock, of Dorset Police, said: “This was a successful combined operation that demonstrated tangible positive results on the night.

“It also reinforces our message to the rural communities of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset that we certainly take rural crime very seriously and will continue to proactively target anyone who attempts to commit crime of any type within rural areas.”

Operation Midas will be repeated throughout the year with Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire forces taking turns on leading the initiative.