SCORES of special constables from across five police forces teamed up to crackdown on rural crime over the weekend.

A team of 150 special constables from Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, and Hampshire patrolled 1,800 square miles of rural areas on Friday and Saturday 6.

Verwood, Fordingbridge, Ringwood, and Brockenhurst were part of the patrol route as part of the two-day cross-border operation to prevent and detect rural crime.

The operation, led by Dorset Police’s Special Constabulary, involved patrols in communities that have been targeted by criminals committing crime such as burglaries and rural thefts.

Officers carried out stop checks of vehicles travelling in the areas and paid particular attention to those who are known to carry out this type of crime.

Special Inspector Ben Muspratt, of Dorset Police, said: “This is the third operation of this type run by the Special Constabulary and each time it is growing larger.

“It is very clear that this high visibility operation has had a positive impact on the community. It has demonstrated to residents that all five forces are committed to tackling rural crime.

“Over 1,000 person and vehicle checks were conducted across the south west which sent out a very clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate such activity.”

He added: “The Special Constabulary is keen to help tackle rural crime and we plan to carry out this operation on a regular basis.”

Local residents can find out more about protecting themselves and their rural property by visiting CrimePrevention.dorset.po lice.uk Dorset Police is currently recruiting special constables, who are unpaid volunteer police officers who have the same powers of arrest and wear the same uniform as regular officers, and perform a wide range of duties.

For more information about becoming a special constable visit Dorset.police.uk