The first asylum seekers arrived on the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland on Monday, and now local people are to have the chance to attend community engagement events organised by Dorset Police.

They are to take place today, Tuesday 8 August at 5pm at Tesco; Friday 11 August 11am Portland Social Club; Wednesday 16 August 10am Osprey Leisure Centre; Saturday 19 August 6pm Beehive Café; Tuesday 22 August 7pm Easton Gardens; Thursday 24 August 10am Osprey Leisure Centre; Tuesday 29 August 11am YMCA and Saturday 2 September 12pm Portland Social Club.

The events will give communities the chance to meet local officers dedicated to providing a visible presence in and around the port and across the Isle of Portland.

In addition to the local neighbourhood policing team, Dorset Police has a dedicated team working with the port and the Bibby Stockholm to support the arrival of the asylum seekers and the local communities.

Local Policing Commander chief superintendent Richard Bell said: “We have been working tirelessly with our partners over the last four months to ensure we have effective plans in place to keep the residents of Portland, Weymouth and the Bibby Stockholm safe and secure.

“We recognise that many residents still have concerns. The surgeries will give local people an opportunity to talk directly to the officers and staff engaged on the policing operation and their neighbourhood police team. This will allow us to better understand those concerns and explain our policing response. I would encourage residents who have a question to pop in and meet the team.

“We understand that for many this is an unsettling time for Portland and Weymouth residents, who have found themselves in the national spotlight and part of a wider national debate. We will continue to work with our partners to monitor your concerns and find solutions to the issues that are raised.”