Latest news with #Dorset Police
BBC News
23-07-2025
- BBC News
Group with 'IQ of five' caught in Poole with 'stolen' bike
A group with "a combined IQ of five" was caught pushing a suspected stolen bike with its lock still firmly attached, police have off-duty officer spotted the group acting suspiciously in Poole, Dorset, and seized the bike. Dorset Police, which said it was hoping to reunite it with its owner, said while the group was stopped and questioned, no arrests were a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, the force said it would not have been "proportionate or realistic" for the officer - who had no personal protective equipment - to detain the individuals, as doing so would have needed six more officers. The statement said: "The officer stopped the group and seized the bike, which we suspect may have been stolen."With a combined IQ of five the group were sent on their way… We're now trying to reunite it with its rightful owner." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
21-07-2025
- BBC News
Dorset Police campaign pledges patrols during summer
A police force has announced a summer campaign to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour using high-visibility patrols in popular Police said the school holidays in July and August were usually the "busiest time of the year" so it had launched its Good, Safe Summer said officers would use dispersal powers to direct people away from town centres and beachfronts if they acted in an anti-social and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said he was "confident" the force was prepared to tackle the extra demand. Police community support officers, special constables and local authority community safety patrol officers will also carrying out Supt Julie Howe said they were "committed in our efforts to ensure residents, business owners and visitors to Dorset feel safe and can enjoy their time here".Mr Sidwick said the message of the police and its partners was "very clear"."If you are coming to Dorset to cause harm or commit crime or anti-social behaviour, you are not welcome and will be dealt with swiftly and robustly," he said."I know the next few weeks are likely to be even busier than they have already, and I am confident the force is prepared to tackle the extra demand and ensure our area remains one of the safest places in the country." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
29-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Hero policeman who threatened to ‘smash' teenager's face guilty of misconduct
An award-winning police officer has been found guilty of gross misconduct after threatening to 'smash' a teenager in the face. Pc Lorne Castle, who was Dorset Police's officer of the year, and Pc Susannah Justice, his colleague, were asked to intercept the 15-year-old boy after he was allegedly involved in two assaults in Bournemouth. But during the arrest, Pc Castle allegedly told the youth, who was found to be in possession of a knife, to 'stop screaming like a b---h' and threatened to 'smash him' before putting his hands around the boy's neck. Despite tearfully apologising for his 'out of character' actions at a police misconduct hearing, the 46-year-old was found guilty of gross misconduct in regards to authority, respect, courtesy and conduct. The married father of two is now facing dismissal, with his fate set to be decided at a later date. The case and verdict has prompted backlash, with some praising Pc Castle. Norman Brennan, a retired police officer and founder of the campaign group Protect the Protectors, said: 'Officers have a very difficult job dealing with obstructive, violent and aggressive suspects and this sends the wrong message to them. 'No arrest is without some sort of force and often in a heated situation language will be used which is not the Queen's English. 'He may not have known it while starting the arrest but the boy was carrying a knife so that is what officers have to deal with. 'I'm sick and tired of officers being disciplined for things like this and I think the majority of the public would think if he were to lose his job over this, it would be absolutely bonkers.' The incident which led to Pc Castle's disciplinary hearing happened in Bournemouth town centre at 5.30pm on Jan 27 last year. The boy was suspected of assaulting an elderly man while riding an e-scooter before getting embroiled in a fracas with another youth outside McDonald's. He was also alleged to have run away from town rangers who tried to apprehend him until police arrived. Pc Castle, who has twice won a national bravery award including one for saving an elderly woman from drowning in a swollen river in 2023, spotted the suspect walking up Richmond Hill in Bournemouth. Bodycam footage showed the officer run up to the suspect and push him against the wall before taking him to the ground and straddling him. Pc was 'overwhelmed and scared' He told the youth to 'show me your f------ hands' and then put his hands and finger in the teen's face. When the boy was unable to move his arm, Pc Castle told him to 'stop screaming like a little b---h'. Giving evidence, Pc Castle said he became 'overwhelmed and scared' when the boy resisted as his mind flashed back to his arrest of a county lines drug dealer 18 months earlier. Pc Castle admitted he had overstepped the mark with his language and aggression. He broke down in tears as he said: 'I'm embarrassed by the video and I apologise for my actions. 'Anyone who knows me in public or private life knows that is not how I behave... During this arrest, when he started resisting and screaming, I panicked again and overreacted. 'I did not choke the suspect and I did not get him in a headlock. 'I was trying to keep his head still with the palm of my hand so he did not hit his head... During the arrest, I saw the knife fall out of his waistband so he was arrested for a knife offence. 'I think the arrest needed to be made but I lost control of the situation.' A 'pen- or Stanley type' knife fell out of the boy's waistband. Last year, Pc Castle received a National Humane Society award for saving a person from drowning in the River Avon in Christchurch.
