The old Wimborne First School building in School Lane, which became empty after the school was moved to Campanula Way as part of a new housing development in Wimborne, has been put to good use recently.

Throughout this current lockdown period Dorset Council and Dorset Police are working together on training police dogs at the premises.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council portfolio holder for economic growth, assets and property said, “I’m really happy that Dorset Police are able to use the old school and put it to good use over the lockdown period as a training venue for their dogs. Any support that we can offer the emergency services during this time is important as we all continue to observe government guidance and stay at home.”

Two types of training are happening in the school, the first being for general purpose police dogs involving German Shepherds and German Shepherd/Malinois Cross dogs that are being trained to search for people and property.

The second type of specialist training involves Spaniels and Labradors, which are being trained to locate substances or objects of interest to the police.

Police Inspector Neil Leat, of the Dorset Police dog section, said, “We are constantly on the lookout for venues to train our dogs and would be glad to hear from anyone else who would consider letting us use their vacant property.”

The future of the Wimborne First School buildings is still being considered.