Bridport Police

31/08/2026

👮‍♂️ Meet Your Local Team 👋

I'm PCSO Pete Smith (5422) I've been a PCSO for just over 18 years, but my policing journey actually began in 1999 when I joined Dorset Police as a Special Constable. After serving as a Special for 9 years, I became a PCSO in 2008. In total I've spent 27 years policing within the Bridport area!

One of the things I love most about neighbourhood policing is the variety including neighbour disputes, and visiting victims of crime, especially those that are more vulnerable like the elderly or with additional needs. I enjoy helping people and arranging support from other agencies when needed, particularly for those who may not have local family or friends to rely on. When I get a little bit of down time , I like to go out on foot patrol as it gives me the ideal opportunity to get out and talk to members of the public, even if its not a work related matter.

One of my favourite things about Bridport is the town itself. It's a friendly and welcoming place, surrounded by beautiful countryside and coastline. 🌳🌊 When you see me out on patrol, I hope you feel safe and reassured. A visible police presence is something that matters to our community, and I know many people appreciate seeing officers on foot patrol around the town.🚶‍♂️🚓

If you have a concern or question, please feel free to:

✅ Stop me while I'm out on patrol
✅ Visit one of our Community Contact Points or Mobile Police Station events
✅ Call 101 for non-emergency matters
✅ Contact us online via https://orlo.uk/NdcCg

A few quick facts about me:
☕ I'm definitely a coffee drinker
✈️ Before joining Dorset Police, I worked for Bridport Aviation Products (later Amsafe) for 15 years
🚗 I also worked as a Parking Enforcement Officer with Dorset County Council

As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee uplift, new officers have joined teams across Dorset. We thought it would be a great opportunity to reintroduce the officers working in your community and help you get to know your local policing team.

27/08/2026

Officers from the Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team responded to reports of a female armed with a knife this morning within the communal area of a block of flats near South Street, Bridport.

Officers attended swiftly and safely detained the female at the scene. Thankfully, no members of the public were injured during the incident.

Following an investigation, the female was arrested on suspicion of Affray, Possession of a Bladed Article in a Public Place, and five counts of Assaulting an Emergency Worker.

During the incident, officers were subjected to violence and aggression whilst carrying out their duties. Fortunately, no officers sustained any serious injuries.

We understand that incidents involving weapons can cause concern within the community. We would like to reassure residents that reports of this nature are treated extremely seriously, and officers will continue to take robust action against those who pose a risk to others.

We would also like to thank members of the public for their patience and cooperation while officers dealt with the incident.

If you have concerns about crime or anti-social behaviour in your area, please report them to Dorset Police via 101 or online at www.dorset.police.uk. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

27/08/2026

WANTED | Can you help us locate Alex Harrigan in Bridport?

Alex Harrigan, aged 30, is wanted in connection with reports he has breached a domestic violence protection order.

He is described as approximately five feet four inches tall and of slim build with ginger hair and blue eyes.

Police Constable Dan White, of Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Our enquiries are continuing to try and locate Alex Harrigan.

“I am now asking for any members of the public with information to help us locate him – or knows of his whereabouts – to please come forward.

“While there is nothing to suggest he poses a risk to the public, we would urge anyone who sees him to not approach him and dial 999 immediately instead.”

If you see Alex Harrigan, you should dial 999 immediately. Anyone else with other information should call 101, quoting occurrence number 55260131412. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

25/08/2026

🚔 Knife Incident in Bridport Town Centre 🚔

At around midday today, Dorset Police received reports of a female brandishing a knife and making threats towards members of the public in Bridport Town Centre.

Officers quickly attended and located the female on East Street, where she was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in a public place and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

The female was subsequently transported to Weymouth Custody, where she was further arrested for an additional offence of assault by beating of an emergency worker.

Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to take robust action against anyone who carries weapons or threatens others with them. Incidents involving knives are treated extremely seriously, and we remain committed to keeping our communities safe.

📹 Were you a witness?

If you witnessed the incident, or have any CCTV, dashcam, mobile phone footage, or other information that may assist our investigation, please contact Dorset Police quoting reference 55260132599.

📞 Call 101
💻 Report online via the Dorset Police website: https://orlo.uk/PUd1X

🔪 Information about knife carrying

If you have information about anyone carrying knives or involved in knife-related offences, please contact Dorset Police via 101 or through the Dorset Police website.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers:

📞 0800 555 111
💻 https://orlo.uk/FRPLI

Your information could help prevent serious harm and keep our communities safe.

24/08/2026

🚔 Drug Warrant Executed in Bridport Town Centre 🚔

Following information received from members of the community regarding a suspected drug dealer operating in Bridport, officers from Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a Section 8 PACE warrant at an address in Bridport Town Centre this morning.

During the search of the property, officers located and seized a quantity of suspected controlled drugs and a suspected zombie knife.

Two occupants were detained at the address and will be dealt with in relation to these offences at a later time.

PC 0276 Dan White said, "Tackling drug-related crime remains a priority for the Neighbourhood Policing Team. We know the harm that drugs can cause to individuals, families and the wider community, and we will continue to act on information provided by the public to target those involved in this type of offending. We are also committed to taking dangerous weapons off our streets. The recovery of a suspected zombie knife during this warrant demonstrates the importance of proactively identifying and disrupting criminal activity to help keep Bridport a safe place to live, work and visit. I would like to thank local residents, businesses and members of the public for their patience and cooperation whilst officers carried out enquiries and a road closure was in place. These measures are sometimes necessary to allow us to conduct our investigations safely and effectively, while ensuring the safety of both the public and our officers."

If you have information about drug dealing, weapons offences, or other criminal activity in your area, please report it to Dorset Police:

• Call 101 to speak with Dorset Police.
• Report online via the Dorset Police website: https://orlo.uk/1kBLA
• If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at https://orlo.uk/Zqw5Q

In an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, always call 999.

24/08/2026

👮‍♂️ Meet Your Local Team 👋

I'm PC Joe Henderson (173) I’ve been a police officer for four years and joined NPT in March 2026. Before moving into neighbourhood policing, I spent two years on Response Policing and two years in the Volume Crime Team, gaining experience across a wide range of incidents and investigations.

I chose a career in policing because I wanted a rewarding role that offered something different every day, while giving me the opportunity to protect vulnerable people and make a positive difference in the community. 🤝

What I enjoy most about neighbourhood policing is working closely with the team to tackle the issues that matter most to local residents. One of my favourite things about the area is having the beautiful Dorset coastline right on our doorstep. 🌊🏖️ Having the beach nearby is definitely one of the perks of policing in such a fantastic part of the county.

When you see me out on patrol, I hope you feel confident that a visible police presence is having a positive impact on local crime and community safety. 🚓 If you feel nervous about speaking to a police officer, please don’t be. Community policing relies on information from local people, and officers will always be receptive to anyone who wants to ask a question, report a concern or simply have a conversation.

The best way to speak to me is easy, if you see me out on one of our regular foot patrols in Bridport or Lyme Regis, please feel free to stop me and say hello. 👋

One thing I’d like residents to know is that both I and the wider neighbourhood policing team are dedicated to tackling the issues that matter most to our communities and making Bridport and Lyme Regis safer places to live, work and visit.

As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee uplift, new officers have joined teams across Dorset. We thought it would be a great opportunity to reintroduce the officers working in your community and help you get to know your local policing team. You will see further posts over the next couple of weeks introducing the team...

22/08/2026

Officers from the Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out on patrol this evening, focusing on Bridport and West Bay, providing a visible presence, engaging with the community and dealing with incidents as they arose.

In West Bay, officers conducted high-visibility patrols targeting anti-social driving, providing reassurance to residents and visitors while helping to deter poor driving standards that can cause nuisance and concern within the community.

During the evening, a driver was issued with a Section 59 Warning after officers witnessed a vehicle wheel spinning in Bridport town centre and foot patrols were also carried out throughout Bridport town centre, where officers dealt with an incident involving alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and engaged with local businesses regarding concerns around retail crime. These conversations are invaluable in helping us understand the challenges faced by our businesses and identifying opportunities to prevent crime.

Later in the evening, officers responded to a disturbance involving a male and female in the street, ensuring the situation was dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

The shift concluded with officers attending a single-vehicle road traffic collision in the Mosterton area, where a vehicle had overturned onto its roof. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries reported and the driver was taken to Yeovil General Hospital for further assessment as a precaution.

We would like to thank members of the public for their support throughout the evening. Information from our communities helps us identify local issues and direct patrols to the areas where they are needed most. If you witness anti-social behaviour, dangerous driving or criminal activity in your area, please report it to us via our website, by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency. If you would prefer to provide information anonymously, you can contact Crimestoppers online at https://orlo.uk/IrJPR or by calling 0800 555 111.

20/08/2026

This evening, officers from the Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team have been out on patrol across Lyme Regis, Bridport, West Bay and Beaminster, providing a visible police presence and engaging with members of our communities.

Thankfully, everyone has remained in good spirits throughout the evening and there has been very little requirement for police intervention.

Officers also conducted patrols in Loders following concerns raised by local residents on community social media pages regarding a suspicious vehicle seen in the area last night. Nothing of concern was identified during our patrols this evening, however a high-visibility presence was provided to offer reassurance and deter any potential criminal activity.

We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that if you see something that concerns you, please report it to us directly. Community information and intelligence help us identify local issues and direct our patrols to the areas that need them most.

✅ If you feel the need to tell the community, please tell us too. If you don't tell us, we don't know.

Reports can be made online via the Dorset Police website, by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us and help keep our communities safe.

20/08/2026

Bridport NPT officers were first on scene at this serious incident yesterday. We are supporting this appeal from our Roads Policing Team and would encourage anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward. Thank you.

APPEAL | We are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward following a serious collision near Charmouth.

The incident occurred at around 10.40am on Wednesday 19 August 2026 and involved a white Volvo XC60 and a red Laverda motorcycle on the A35 at the junction of Scotts Lane.

The rider of the motorcycle – a man aged in his 60s from Axminster in Devon – sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.

The female driver of the car was uninjured.

Police Sergeant Richard Stroud, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “I am carrying out enquiries into this collision and I am keen to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area and saw what happened.

“I would also like to speak to anyone who may have captured anything of relevance on dashcam footage.

“There were road closures in place to allow us to safely deal with the incident and I would like to thank everyone for their patience during this time.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55260129110. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online using its website or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

19/08/2026

It has been an exceptionally busy day for officers from the Bridport Neighbourhood Policing Team, who have been dealing with a number of serious incidents in the Lyme Regis area.

Earlier today, Bridport NPT officers were first on scene at a serious injury road traffic collision on the A35 at Monkton Wyld. Officers worked alongside colleagues from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, multiple crews from the South Western Ambulance Service, and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance to assist at the scene. Following treatment, the casualty was airlifted to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for urgent medical care.

Recognising the importance of family support during such difficult circumstances, two Bridport NPT officers transported a family member to the hospital under emergency conditions so they could be by the side of their loved one as quickly as possible.

While this incident was ongoing, another Bridport NPT officer responded to an incident in Lyme Regis town centre, where a lorry had collided with the side of a building, causing concerns regarding the structural integrity of the property.

Today has highlighted the professionalism, dedication and commitment of our officers, partner agencies and emergency service colleagues. Although many officers will be finishing their duties later than planned, they will be back on duty tomorrow, ready to serve our communities once again.

We would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding during these incidents and wish the injured casualty a full and speedy recovery.