Crime, Wimborne | Posted on July 31st, 2025 | return to news

Wimborne Town Watch system helping to fight crime

The Town Watch radio system was funded by Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner and organised by Wimborne BID.

Thanks to a £5,000 grant from Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Wimborne’s businesses are working together to help keep the market town safe from crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Wimborne BID, as the representative of local businesses, is working proactively in partnership with Dorset Police and Wimborne Minster Town Council to tackle crime and ASB in the town centre to create a safer, more resilient town that is a welcoming place to shop, work, and visit.

As part of Dorset Police’s hotspot policing initiative, there will be increased collaboration between public services and local businesses. At the heart of this collaboration is a digital “Town Watch” radio system, seed funded through a one-off £5,000 grant awarded by Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick, with continuing funding from Wimborne BID.

Sidwick said: “I have been actively addressing the issue of shoplifting in Dorset since I became the PCC in 2021 – indeed witnessing an incident of shoplifting was one of the reasons I originally stood for election.

“As PCC, I know the positive impact strong partnerships can have and therefore I am delighted to support and partner with Wimborne BID on this initiative as we all work towards driving down shoplifting and crime throughout Dorset, ensuring our area remains one of the safest in the country.”

As well as the Town Watch scheme, Wimborne has 20 state-of-the-art CCTV surveillance cameras and a CCTV hub in the former Wimborne police station which transmits live feeds to the police CCTV headquarters in Dorchester. During large-scale events in Wimborne, the cameras are also manned by volunteers on site in Wimborne.

The Mayor of Wimborne Minster, Cllr Jeff Hart, said: “A lot of towns the size of Wimborne may only have three or four cameras. We’re in a strong position. We’re hoping to install two more cameras in Crown Mead and Redcotts, where ASB has been reported.”

Wimborne BID director, Zabir Ali, said: “A tremendous amount of work and collaboration happens behind the scenes to deliver a united response to crime and ASB in our town. Shop theft continues to have a serious impact on local businesses and must be treated with urgency.

“As a BID, we’re actively driving initiatives and pushing for improvements in police services and reporting procedures in Wimborne. We’re currently working with Dorset Police to streamline the process of reporting crime, making it quicker and easier for our business community.

“Wimborne is leading by example — demonstrating how proactive partnerships can build safer, more connected and resilient communities.”