Local News
Jobcentres in Dorset Request Bank Statements from Universal Credit Claimants
Concerns are growing among claimants in Dorset after reports that Jobcentres are increasingly requesting detailed bank statements as part of routine checks on those receiving Universal Credit. Under current rules, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is permitted to carry out periodic “claim reviews” to ensure individuals are receiving the correct level of support. […]
Police have released a new image of a missing 59-year-old man as efforts to locate him continue.
Gary, who has not been seen since the afternoon of Thursday 23 April 2026, was last spotted at approximately 1.30pm in the area of Park Estate Road. Officers believe he may have left the location on a bicycle, prompting ongoing searches across the surrounding area. According to Dorset Police, Gary is described as around five […]
An elderly man has escaped a serious property fire that devastated a flat on Chickerell Road in Weymouth.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 12:30pm, after reports of a fire inside the property. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service quickly mobilised two crews from Weymouth and Portland, who were sent to tackle the blaze. Firefighters arrived to find significant damage within the flat, with the fire believed to have […]
Greenhill Rafts Shelved for 2026 as Safety Concerns Prompt Review
The future of the much-loved swimming rafts at Greenhill Beach has been put on hold after Weymouth Town Council agreed not to reinstall them for the 2026 season. The decision follows what councillors described as “careful consideration” of legal advice from a specialist health and safety firm. Based on that guidance, the council’s committee accepted […]
Housing Allocation Controversy: Should Afghan Families Be Prioritised Over Long-Waiting LocalResidents?
The recent Cabinet decision under the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) 4 has reignited a deeply contentious debate: should Afghan refugee families be prioritised for housing over local residents who have, in many cases, waited years on housing lists? Under the LAHF4 scheme, Dorset Council has approved £662,000 in capital funding alongside £4,796 in revenue […]
Arrest Made Following Reported Serious Assault in Weymouth
A teenager has been arrested in connection with a reported serious assault in Weymouth, following what police have described as extensive and ongoing investigations. Officers from Dorset Police were called at 9.16pm on Thursday 16 April 2026 to reports that a 19-year-old man had been assaulted near the junction of Dorchester Road and Melcombe Avenue. […]
Trying “Too Good To Go” at Greggs: A Pleasantly Surprising Experience
With growing awareness around food waste and rising living costs, apps like Too Good To Go have attracted significant attention. Designed to connect customers with businesses that have surplus unsold food, the platform offers “magic bags” at heavily discounted prices—helping reduce waste while delivering value to consumers. Having heard so much about it, we decided […]
Speeding in Dorset: What the Latest Police Data Really Shows
If you’ve ever felt like speed cameras are everywhere in Dorset, the data suggests you’re not imagining it. A recent Freedom of Information release from Dorset Police lifts the lid on just how widespread speeding enforcement has become—and what actually happens after you’re caught. The scale of the problem Let’s start with the headline: tens […]
Investigators Back National Action Plan to Strengthen Support for Stalking Victims
Dorset Police has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the response to stalking as national efforts gather pace to better protect victims and address offender behaviour. Marking Stalking Awareness Week, the force is highlighting both national progress and local initiatives aimed at tackling what is widely recognised as a complex and high-risk crime. The renewed focus […]
Reminder to Employers: Permits Required for Young Workers
Dorset Council is reminding local employers of the legal requirement to obtain a permit before employing young people aged between 13 and 15/16. The law applies to all young people from the age of 13 until the last Friday in June of Year 11, when they are aged 15 or 16. During this period, any […]