News Archive

In line with the national picture, COVID-19 case rates remain high across the county. Case rates in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area have stayed the same this week and Dorset Council’s case rate has increased this week. Both case rates are below the SW region average but higher than England’s average. There are ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging local people to help keep their communities fire-safe, as the summer holidays draw to a close. A combination of the Bank Holiday weekend, the last chance for families to get away before schools restart, and large events such as Bournemouth Air Festival, will mean an influx of ...

Officers investigating a road traffic collision in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at around 10.50pm on Tuesday 24 August 2021 of a single vehicle collision in Melcombe Avenue, near to the junction with Dorchester Road. It was reported that the vehicle involved – a ...

Weymouth RNLI All Weather lifeboat was called out to assist a tired and frightened crew aboard a yacht. Launched at 01.10 on Wednesday 25th August the lifeboat was on scene at 1.52am to the relief of a tired and frightened crew of a 37’ yacht which had set off from Brixham and was motoring to Weymouth ...

A Dorset Police constable has been sentenced following an assault that occurred while he was off duty in Weymouth. Police Constable Gareth Morris, aged 41, was sentenced at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 August 2021 and ordered to pay a £200 fine, £400 compensation to the victim, £600 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge. ...

At approximately 2.30 on 23rd August, Dorset Police were called to reports of a disturbance, on The Esplanade, between a group of youths. It was reported that two males were allegedly seen in possession of knives during the altercation. Police attended and quickly located two young males, matching the description of those believed to be involved. Both ...

Officers investigating an assault in Weymouth town centre are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. The victim, a man aged in his 20s, was walking with a friend in Maiden Street – near to the junction with Market Street – at around 1.30am on Sunday 22 August 2021 when they were approached ...

Inside Out Dorset, the biennial international arts festival produced by Activate, has pulled some strings to bring together different communities from across Weymouth and Portland to make puppets. For the festival’s final weekend on 24 and 25 September, the spectacular after-dark parade show Sense of Unity will make its way through the town led by the ...

Fire crews from Dorchester and Beaminster station were sent to a single vehicle road traffic collision this morning (21 Aug). One casualty was released from the vehicle with assistance from the ambulance service. The collision occurred on Dorchester Road in Maiden Newton at around 9am this morning.  

Friends Of MV Freedom are holding a sponsored swim this coming Saturday 21st August from 5pm to 7pm in Newtons Cove, Weymouth. The friends are inviting swimmers of all abilities to obtain sponsorship and raise much needed funds to support the work of MV Freedom bringing access to the sea for those living with disabilities. More information ...

Continued development of its training and coaching resources and rising demand from prospective pupils has now culminated with Bryanston confirming that football has become a core sport for boys at the Dorset school. Each term, pupils will be able to focus on one of seven principal sports including rugby, hockey, equestrian, netball, cricket, rowing and now ...

Chief Constable Scott Chilton began his role this week following the retirement of former Chief Constable James Vaughan. He takes the reins having been Deputy Chief Constable for the Force since October 2020. Chief Constable Chilton told KeeP 106: “I want to make Dorset as hostile a place as possible for any offender or criminal so ...

In line with the national picture, COVID-19 case rates remain high across the county. Dorset Council’s case rate has stayed relatively stable over the past couple of weeks and it remains at a similar level to the England average. There are currently 41 people in hospital in Dorset with COVID-19. Case rates in the Bournemouth, ...

Dorset Council has awarded two, 5-year contracts to voluntary and community organisations to continue with the provision of support, advice and guidance to residents. Following an open tender process, Volunteer Centre Dorset has been awarded the contract to provide Volunteer Infrastructure Support across the Dorset Council area. The new contract will start on 1 October 2021 ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reported on 18th August that they dealt with a major incident at cliffs near Bridport with multiple appliances in attendance. They were assisted by Dorset Police and the Coastguard Service. The coastal path is currently closed in that area. We understand that there were two casualties, a man and a woman, ...

GP-led vaccination services in Dorset are now offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children aged 16-17 in Dorset along with those aged between 12 and 15 who are considered at risk from existing health conditions. In line with recently issued Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) guidance, young people aged 16-17 will be offered a Pfizer ...

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and urging members of the public to remain vigilant following further reports of possible drink spiking incidents in Weymouth. Detectives from Weymouth CID and the local neighbourhood policing team are working together to investigate reports of drink spiking incidents in the town. While no particular venue has ...

Dorset Council wants to hear from resident Blue Badge holders to help shape a unified approach to parking charges across the council area. Following consultation with all drivers earlier this year on car park parking charges and a proposed new car park permit scheme for residents, businesses and workers, Blue Badge holders are now being asked ...

Eco-friendly district nurses have turned back the clock when visiting patients in communities around Dorset. Dorset HealthCare’s mobile nursing teams are switching from cars to electric bikes to help the environment, bypass traffic jams and promote healthy living. The idea was pioneered in Purbeck, and expanded to other areas such as Dorchester and Bournemouth after bosses at ...

Detectives investigating a report of rape and sexual assault in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward – with two people arrested. The incident occurred between 10pm and 11pm on Saturday 14 August 2021 on the beach near to the public toilets by the King’s Statue. It is reported that a short ...

Detectives investigating a report of rape in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. Dorset Police received a report that at around 10.30pm on Friday 13 August 2021 a woman – aged in her 30s – was raped in an alleyway in the town centre. Cordons were put in place outside The ...

Dorset Police is working with Weymouth-based taxi firms Bee Cars and Weyline Taxis to keep communities and visitors safe from anti-social behaviour and violent crime linked to the alcohol consumption. Dorset Police recently launched Operation Relentless to remind residents and visitors that the Force takes a tough approach to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and send a very ...

Residents of a pioneering Dorset Council scheme for adults in social care – a first of its kind in the United Kingdom – are celebrating one year of living independently. Dorset Council’s initiative enables adults with learning disabilities, mental health issues or physical impairments, to take their first steps to independent living. Their individual needs are ...

The first round of Dorset Council’s community and culture project has awarded £42,484 to 15 local organisations. The new small project was launched in April and provides funding for arts, museums, heritage, community, physical and play activities to help make a difference to people living in Dorset’s communities. The fund was able to provide grants of up ...

Public Health Dorset reports that COVID-19 case rates remain high across Dorset. Dorset Council’s case rate has continued to increase and is similar to the average rate for England, whilst a small decrease has been seen in the case rate for BCP Council since last week, but it remains significantly above the averages for the South West ...

Following feedback from residents, town and parish councils, businesses and other stakeholders, Dorset Council is planning the introduction of two new parking permits, as well as changes to proposed charges in its car parks. Following a successful survey which had over 1,900 responses, a proposed new permit scheme to benefit the people of Dorset, whilst reducing the potential impact of the higher parking charges, proved to be very popular. Short stay ...

As part of the ‘Love Your Verge’ campaign, Dorset Council has published a series of videos to explain its approach to roadside management in Dorset. Dorset Council has made changes to its verge management policy in recent years. Safety remains the top priority, so the approach strikes a balance between cutting verges regularly where needed for ...

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone with relevant dashcam footage to come forward following a road traffic collision near Dorchester. Dorset Police was called at around 4.05pm on Monday 9 August 2021 to a report of a collision involving a black BMW 1 Series and a blue Kia Niro on the B3159 between Monkton Park ...

Dorset Police is reminding residents and visitors to keep an eye on their belongings while enjoying the county’s beaches to avoid becoming a victim of theft. With a good weekend of warm weather on its way, officers are keen to ensure people don’t fall victim to theft and are issuing some crime prevention advice: If you don’t ...

During lockdown the Children’s Society charity have not been able to conduct a great deal of fundraising. They have, however, during this time, accumulated a lot of items to sell! Rita, from the Society, told KeeP 106: “The last shop was many moons ago and we took the decision then not to have any more because of ...

Officers investigating a report of suspicious behaviour in Bridport are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. At around 10pm on Sunday 1 August 2021 it was reported that a 15-year-old girl was walking in the area of Foundry Lane, toward Skilling, when she noticed a man walking in the opposite direction. The man appeared ...

Dorset’s Police and Crime Panel has approved the selection of Scott Chilton as the next Chief Constable of Dorset Police. Mr Chilton, who has been serving as the Force’s Deputy Chief Constable for the last year, was confirmed in post by the panel on Thursday August 12. He will take over the role from James Vaughan, who ...

Officers searching for a diver who went missing off the coast of Lulworth in Purbeck have sadly found a body of a man. Carvalho Ildelindo da Silveira, aged in his 60s and from Bramdean in Hampshire, was diving off the coast of Lulworth Cove on Saturday 7 August 2021. He was last seen in the water ...

Officers are appealing for anyone with information to come forward and urging members of the public to remain vigilant following reports of drink spiking incidents in Weymouth. Dorset Police received two reports relating to people needing medical treatment after possibly having their drinks spiked on the night of Friday 30 July into the early hours of ...

Following an unusual year of study – which saw students and staff work with and adapt to the often changing limitations and restrictions imposed by the pandemic – Weymouth College are particularly proud to be celebrating another year of outstanding student achievement. A Level course results were published across the country today (10th August) and the ...

The team at Poundbury Patients Group, the patient participation group for Poundbury Doctors’ Surgery, have come up with a fun and invigorating activity to do over the summer holidays or on autumnal weekends – this is either an exercise you can do alone, with children or as a group. Poundbury Patients (PPG) is inviting patients of ...

Weymouth RNLI Inshore lifeboat was tasked by Solent Coastguard to investigate reports of a lone yachtsman requiring medical assistance. Apparently a 74-year-old lone yachtsman had sustained a head injury shortly after setting sail from Portland heading for Gosport. He decided to anchor his yacht close to the North entrance to Portland Harbour at approx. 7am on ...

The Keep Military Museum has informed us about two important commemoration days in the County Town which are being held following the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions. Restrictions prevented the nation from commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May and Victory over Japan (VJ) Day in August in a manner fitting the ...

Two new machines will be hitting the road from this summer to help keep Dorset’s roads clear of rainwater. Dorset Highways has taken ownership of a new gully cart along with a new jetter to support the essential work of its drainage fleet, which forms part of the council’s preventative maintenance programme. Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder ...

A man has been jailed for a violent domestic assault in Weymouth after detectives successfully pursued an evidence-led prosecution. Lee Gerrard Slator, aged 41 and of Beverley Road, Weymouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 5 August 2021 after admitting an offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent at a previous hearing at ...

Dorset Council, in partnership with the Alliance for Beverage Cartons & the Environment (ACE UK), is launching a new recycling service for paper containers with metal ends, such as Pringles tubes, hot chocolate, nuts and other products. Local residents can now recycle these containers alongside food and drink cartons at existing specialist recycling banks located at ...

After a short period of seeing case rates fall in our local area, they have begun to increase again over the past week. At 510.1 per 100,000, the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council case rate is above the England average of 283.7 and the South West average of 307.2. Dorset Council’s case rate is also ...

The A35 Eastbound carriageway between the Stinsford roundabout and the Troy Town turn-off was closed today (6th August) due to a bin lorry which had caught fire . Three fire crews attended the incident and reported that there had been oil spillage making the road slippery. There is congestion back to the Monkey’s Jump roundabout and although ...

Dorset County Hospital’s annual awards are now open for nominations. The Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards recognise individual members of staff, teams and volunteers who have gone over and above what is expected to make a difference to people’s lives. Over the past 18 months everyone at DCH has worked incredibly hard to provide the best ...

Dorchester’s Brewery Square is welcoming an array of free entertainment for its 13th birthday event this summer, as it hosts a Punch & Judy show and live music on Saturday 14th August. The Square will embrace a true seaside experience as it’s kitted out with vibrant deckchairs, with families invited to enjoy the classic slapstick humour ...

Since the spring, Artsreach has worked with poet Liv Torc to creatively celebrate Dorset’s outstanding local food and drink producers, and to thank those who choose to shop locally, particularly since the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Liv’s exciting new poem has since been captured on film and is set for public release online on ...

KeeP 106 has been told about a potential hazard for swimmers in the River Frome near Grey’s Bridge in Dorchester at a location known as ‘Swimmos’. Janet Hewitt and Sharon Morgan said “Someone has tipped a shopping trolley into the water right where the kids jump in and it is not easily seen. Fortunately I don’t ...

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue reported at 13:25 on Saturday 31st July that two fire crews attended a car fire on the A35 Puddletown bypass near Bere Regis. One vehicle had been been fully involved in fire. Firefighters used two hose reels and two breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire. The road was closed in both ...

Officers searching for missing man Scott Deakin in the Weymouth area are pleased to confirm he has been found safe. Scott was reported missing having last been seen in the area on the evening of Friday 30 July 2021. Following searches by officers, he has now been located. Police would like to thank everyone who shared their appeal.    

Weymouth & Portland Lions roared back after a year’s absence with their ever-popular live music street busk. The Lions entertained the Weymouth crowds with a wide variety of live music events, including Replay, Julie Storey’s ‘Let’s Dance’, Abbi Brewster, Anniemac & Norman, Tony Lowe, Ed Hintze, Wyke Ukedelics, Brian Lincoln, solo guitarist, Ken Watkins and, for ...

West Dorset MP Chris Loder’s campaign to improve the condition of one of West Dorset’s flagship railway stations was given a boost earlier this month, when work finally began on the construction of a new boundary fence in the second week of July, to replace the collapsed wall which separated Dorchester South Station from Cromwell ...

Over the month of June, 120 litter heroes took part in a month-long litter picking challenge in their local areas of Dorset. Signed up to the challenge were a real mix of participants, from families with young children, to young adults and older residents of Dorset. For the duration of June, the participating litter heroes took ...

Public Health update on COVID-19 in Dorset. In line with the national picture, we have seen a decrease in COVID-19 cases across the county over the past week. The Dorset Council area case rate has decreased slightly from 265 per 100k to 256 in a week. The average rate for the South West is 362 per ...

This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is off to a flying start with over 1,000 children in Dorset signing up in the last 3 weeks. The Reading Agency’s Summer Reading Challenge is delivered in partnership with public libraries. This year, they have teamed up with WWF for the theme ‘Wild World Heroes’, inspiring children to explore ...

While Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station will not be having a ‘Lifeboat week’ this year, some of the station volunteer fund raisers will still be out and about around the town from the 1st to 7th August raising awareness of the RNLI and fundraising by shaking a bucket. No cash? Well don’t worry they will be ...

Officers investigating the theft of a high-value watch in Dorchester are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. At around 2.30pm on Saturday 17 July 2021 an elderly man was approached on Woodlands Crescent in Poundbury by a woman asking for donations toward a charity for blind and deaf people. The victim told the ...

Detectives investigating an alleged attempted robbery at a store in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Dorset Police received a report at 1.05pm on Saturday 24 July 2021 of a man who was reported to be in possession of a knife near to Broadwey Village Stores in Dorchester Road. It was further reported that the ...

Both of Weymouth RNLI lifeboats were launched shortly before midnight on Sunday 25th July following reports of an overdue dingy sailor who had launched into Portland Harbour. Arriving on scene at 00.15am on Monday 26th an intensive search of Portland Harbour was carried out, with the Coastguard carrying out a shoreline search. The search continued until ...

Weymouth RNLI all-weather lifeboat was launched at 3.15pm on Sunday 25th July 2021 at the request of Solent Coastguard, to assist with a diver with a suspected case of the bends. At the time of launching, it was not known whether an ambulance or the Coastguard rescue helicopter would be available. On arrival at 3.30pm at a ...

Stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 As England has moved into Step 4 and most legal restrictions have been lifted, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, it is recommended that people wear face coverings in crowded areas including ...