Dorset
Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the UK bank holidays in 2026, perfect for planning travel, time off, or just marking your calendar. Bank Holidays 2026 — At a Glance Here’s the full list of statutory public/bank holidays that most people and organisations recognise: 📅 England & Wales (8 Bank Holidays) Thursday 1 January 2026 […]
Specialist Dorset Police unit secures lifelong protections for stalking victim
A specialist Dorset Police unit set up to manage the county’s most dangerous offenders for violence against women and girls (VAWG) has helped secure additional, long-term protection for a stalking victim. The force’s High Harm Unit, launched in 2023, closely monitors the 15 highest-risk VAWG offenders in Dorset. The team takes an early-intervention approach aimed […]
Chickerell Town Council keeps tax rise to a minimum for 2026/27
Residents of Chickerell are set to see only a very small rise in their town council tax after Chickerell Town Council agreed its precept for the 2026/27 financial year at a meeting on 13 January 2026. The increase amounts to just five pence per week for a Band D property, equating to £2.09 per year. […]
Rape Offences by Multiple Offenders in Dorset: FOI Disclosure (2010–2025)
In January 2026, Dorset Police published a detailed Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure that provides historic data on rape and sexual assault offences involving multiple offenders recorded in the force area. The disclosure covers the period 1 January 2010 to 30 November 2025 and was released by the force’s Performance Analysis Department in response to […]
Harbour Homecoming: Dorset Seafood Festival Returns to Weymouth’s Waterfront in 2026
After several years away from its traditional setting, the Dorset Seafood Festival is set to make a celebrated return to Weymouth Harbour next summer in what organisers are calling a long-awaited Harbour Homecoming. The much-loved event will take place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2026, bringing the festival back to the historic waterfront […]
England to Clean Up Communities with Deposit Return Scheme for Plastic Bottles and Cans
The UK Government has confirmed that England will introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles and metal cans — a major new environmental initiative designed to cut litter, boost recycling rates and help end the “throwaway society.” (GOV.UK) What Is the Deposit Return Scheme? Under the scheme, people in England buying drinks in […]
Around 400 people gathered in Victoria Square, Portland, this morning for a mass protest
Around 400 people gathered in Victoria Square, Portland, this morning for a mass protest organised by the Stop Portland Incinerator Campaign before marching together to the gates of Portland Port. Protesters filled the square with banners, placards and chants calling for the proposed incinerator project to be halted, citing concerns over air quality, public health, […]
Emergency services test multi-agency response to terrorism on cross-channel ferry
Emergency services and counter-terrorism specialists have carried out a large-scale training exercise to test their response to a major terrorism incident on a Brittany Ferries cross-channel vessel. The operation, hosted in Dorset at the Port of Poole, brought together hundreds of personnel from multiple local and national agencies, including police, ambulance, fire, and maritime partners. […]
Weymouth BID Ranger resigned after suspension for sexual harassment complaint
A Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID) Ranger contracted through an external security firm has been suspended following a complaint of alleged sexual harassment. The ranger, who worked in Weymouth town centre as part of the BID team, was supplied by UDL Security. The company confirmed that it acted immediately after receiving the complaint. In a […]
Security Guard Appears in Court Over Alleged Assault at Weymouth Store
A security guard employed by a national retailer in Weymouth town centre appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court today charged with assault by beating following an incident involving a 15-year-old boy. The court heard that the alleged incident took place on 4 June 2025 inside the retailer’s store. Prosecutors allege that three youths were involved in […]