A rise in anti-social behaviour and thefts has led to an increase in police patrols in Dorchester.

Dorset Police's Neighbourhood Policing Team was out patrolling allotments on the evening of Friday, March 1, to help deter any potential criminals. 

A spokesperson for said: "Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team has this evening been patrolling the allotments in the Dorchester Town area.

"This is due to recent reports of theft and ASB, the team will continue to monitor and patrol when on late turn."

This comes after police officers urged local residents to report people using catapults in the area just several ago after similar patrols found damage to lamp posts.

Residents were also left 'shocked' after racist and anti-Semitic graffiti was spray painted on walls throughout Poundbury.

Vandals painted the racially offensive 'n' word on a wall next to homes and also left a swastika and obscene words on a wall overlooking the Great Field.

A series of moped thefts has also led to Dorset Police issuing an appeal for people to come forward with information regarding thefts in the area.

One suspected stolen motorbike was found ablaze near homes causing damage to fences and sheds in the Castle Park area.  

A new government fund of £1 million has also been allocated to Dorset Police to help tackle yobs and anti-social behaviour.

The funding will see more police patrols in local areas, as well as other measures to tackle anti-social behaviour hotspots in the county.

The money will come in the form of a grant from the Home Office after the government announced it is to distribute £66 million across forces in England and Wales.