An open letter to Dorset communities

On behalf of the Dorset Criminal Justice Board (DCJB) we wish to express our abhorrence at the violence that has taken place locally and nationally within the last ten days. As criminal justice leaders, we will always enable lawful protest, but we will not tolerate racism, rioting, violent disorder, criminal damage or hate crime, whether online or offline – nor the community fear that is caused by such disgraceful behaviour.

We would like to assure all of our communities that where we have evidence of people choosing to participate in any activity of this nature, either directly or online, they will be arrested, detained, remanded where necessary, charged and sentenced.

Members of the public will be aware that individuals have already been arrested and charged both locally and nationally. In Weymouth, eight men have now been arrested, with an additional two dispersal orders made against two teenagers. In Bournemouth, a woman was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and common assault in connection with the protest activity.

Thus far, three of these individuals have been sentenced -

• Jason Francis, 38, of Weymouth, who has been jailed for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder and the assault of an emergency worker. News Article - Dorset Police 

• Kevin Gordon Searle, 40 of Weymouth, pleaded guilty to assault on an emergency worker and violent disorder and was jailed for 21 months. News Article - Dorset Police  

• Ian Vetier, 36, of Weymouth, was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder. News Article - Dorset Police

Working together with our criminal justice partners, we will continue to act quickly and use all powers available at our disposal to bring criminals to justice. Further, our intelligence and planning processes will ensure that we have local and national resources available to respond and deal as necessary to any future disorder to keep our communities safe.

The DCJB would like to thank the overwhelming majority of law-abiding Dorset residents for their assistance at this time.

If you have any information about violent disorder being planned, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call the police on 101. In an emergency call 999.

 

David Sidwick 

Chair of the DCJB

 

 

Photograph

David Sidwick  - Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Kate Brown - Chief Crown Prosecutor/Head of CPS Wessex 

Amanda Pearson - Chief Constable Dorset Police