A 15-year-old girl from the Christchurch area has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender by detectives conducting a murder investigation.
Four new electric refuse vehicles are now collecting waste across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Late-night Christmas shoppers, residents and visitors to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are set to benefit from a whole range of festive travel offers over the next few weeks including free parking on selected days, discounted bus tickets and free bike rides.
Residents walking through Christchurch will now benefit from improvements to the local area after a well-used underpass received a full makeover.
Global structural steel firm John Reid & Sons Ltd has announced major new redevelopment plans incorporating the old Monkey Madness site
Flooding has been causing issues for drivers and residents across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole on Monday
Green spaces across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are benefitting from an increase in biodiversity due to BCP Council’s change in grass management, the council is claiming.
A campaign aimed at preventing children from going missing at busy beaches has been re-launched following a surge in demand on emergency resources
Multi-agency water-based patrols will be taking place to target anti-social and irresponsible behaviour in Poole Harbour and along beaches in Bournemouth and Christchurch into Christchurch Harbour.
Future regeneration plans for Boscombe took centre stage in a visit this weekend by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Robert Jenrick MP
Officers searching for a missing man from Christchurch are appealing for information from the public to help find him
Officers are issuing a CCTV image of a man they would like to identify after a bike was stolen from a restaurant in Christchurch
Highcliffe Castle is opening a new addition for visitors to experience this summer
A man is due to appear in court in connection with a reported disturbance in Christchurch.
Three teenagers have been jailed following a knifepoint robbery in Bournemouth town centre.
A man has been arrested and a woman has sustained minor injuries following an incident in Christchurch.
Four senior level positions have been appointed at BCP Council subject to approval.
Officers investigating an incident where a woman was bitten by a dog in Christchurch have issued images of two people they would like to speak to.
Objections ranging from exploiting children to promoting car use have been received by BCP Council after a planning application for a new McDonald’s was submitted for a retail park in Christchurch.
Around 3500 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents will soon be receiving a questionnaire for the National Highways & Transport Public Satisfaction Survey.
A consistent enforcement approach to improve public safety in communities across the majority of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is being proposed.
Councillors at Cabinet (23 June 2021) will consider a report that outlines plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) covering most of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas to help reduce persistent issues of anti-social behaviour (ASB) in targeted areas across the towns.
The proposed approach follows public consultation completed early in the year and of the 294 responses received, 89 per cent strongly agreed or agreed that community safety should be improved with the introduction of the order which would mean a consistent approach can be taken in dealing with alcohol related anti-social behaviour in areas where there is evidence of persistent issues which are having a continued negative impact on the local community.
The effects of street-based anti-social behaviour can have a visible impact on the appearance of, and feelings of safety in our local community. PSPOs are intended to deal with anti-social behaviour issues in a specific area that is detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. They are intended to help ensure that the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces safe from anti-social behaviour.
Councillor May Haines, Portfolio holder for Community Safety, BCP Council said: “We want to ensure that people visiting, living and working in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole feel safe and that street based anti-social behaviour is addressed robustly. We also need to make sure we take a consistent and balanced approach, applying effective solutions to the complex issues around anti-social behaviour.
“We’ve seen from the operation of Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) in our town centres that this approach is effective at addressing harmful behaviours of a few individuals through the combination of support and enforcement, helping those most vulnerable and helping keep our communities safe.”
The PSPO gives powers to accredited Community Safety Officers and Police to remove alcohol from anyone behaving in an anti-social manner in public spaces. It is not an alcohol ban for public spaces and it does not make it an offence to drink alcohol in the area covered by the order. However, it is an offence to fail to comply with a request from an officer to cease drinking or surrender alcohol in the area covered by the order, if the individual is or is likely to cause anti-social behaviour.
Subject to approval, the PSPO would be in place for 1 July 2021 and will cover 33 out of 29 wards across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole where there is evidence of persistent street-based anti-social behaviour.
The PSPO will be reviewed after three years.
A collision between an ambulance on blue lights and a car in Christchurch resulted in multiple serious injuries for the drivers and passengers.
The incident closed part of Barrack Road on Thursday evening to allow emergency services to deal with the incident just after 8.30pm.
Substantial damage was created by the ambulance which hit the traffic lights and railing in the middle of the road at the junction with Stour Road.
Dorset Police was called at 8.34pm, who attended along with the fire and ambulance services. The road reopened around 11.35pm.
The driver of the ambulance sustained minor injuries and a passenger sustained serious injuries. The driver of the car sustained serious injuries.
20:45 a crew from @DWFRSXchurch attended a road traffic collision on Barrack Road. The crew assisted @dorsetpolice and @swasFT with scene safety and casualty care.
— DWFireControl (@DWFireControl) June 3, 2021
A man who robbed two banks in Bournemouth armed with an imitation firearm has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of six years and two months.
A dedicated multi-agency summer response plan put in place to welcome people back safely across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole has stood the test and remains in place as visitors and residents continue to enjoy soaring temperatures.
With more than 300,000 visitors choosing Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole over the Bank Holiday weekend, BCP Council and partners worked around the clock to keep the towns clean and safe.
Over 1,200 people downloaded the BCP Beach Check app over the weekend, making 32,000 overall who are using it to find safer and less congested spots along the seafront.
Councillor Mohan Iyengar, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, BCP Council, said “We have just experienced a great bank holiday weekend. Hotels have been full, restaurants busy and a whole load of other attractions have served customers in the hundreds.
“Credit goes to the officers across the council, police, fire and other authorities who have been on alert.
“Looking forward, we’ve a lot to be positive about this summer. The Festival Coast Live kicks off in June with more than 200 events across our three towns and it culminates in the Air Festival in September – the biggest one we’ll have laid on. It positions us as a fabulous resort in the UK with beaches we’re proud of and hospitality second to none.”
In readiness for high traffic volumes, increased traffic management officers have been placed at key locations and car parks, including:
- Sandbanks ferry
- Sandbanks car park
- Branksome Chine
- Alum Chine
- Bath Road North/South car park
- Overstrand and Sea Road car park
- Avon Beach car park
- Mudeford Quay car park
Tow away zones will be in operation to deal with illegal parking, and plans are in place to increase the parking enforcement team, with more than 70 civil enforcement officers ready to be deployed in the peak summer months.
A man has been sentenced after admitting to killing a woman at a hotel in Bournemouth.
A 43-year old man has died following a road traffic collision in Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon between a bike and a car.
A man in his 20s has been taken to Southampton General Hospital with life-threatening injuries after a collision involving his motorcycle in Christchurch.
Dorset Police was called at 7.26am on Thursday 27 May 2021 to a report of a single vehicle collision involving a Lexmoto FMR 125 motorcycle on Normandy Drive.
The road was closed to allow emergency services to treat the injured man and carry out an examination of the scene.
Police Sergeant Rhys Griffiths, of the traffic unit, said: “We are carrying out enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this collision and I am appealing for any witnesses to please come forward.
“I would urge any motorists who were travelling in the area and have dashcam fitted to their vehicle to please view it for any relevant footage that may assist my investigation.
“Finally, I would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closure, which was absolutely necessary to enable emergency services to attend the scene in a safe manner and provide medical treatment.”
A man has been jailed for a violent assault outside a bar in Bournemouth.
Manuel Eugenio Caldeira, aged 57 and of Randolph Road in Bournemouth, was sentenced on Wednesday 26 May 2021 after admitting an offence of inflicting grievous bodily harm at an earlier appearance at the same court.
He was sentenced to 22 months in prison.
At around 8.50pm on Saturday 25 January 2020 the ambulance service was called to a report that a man had been found unconscious outside Bar 7 in Christchurch Road.
The victim, a man aged in his 60s, had a number of head injuries and a witness reported that he had been involved in an altercation with another man.
Police were called and, following enquiries, it was established that Caldeira had attended the bar at around 7pm that evening and had been involved in an altercation with the victim inside the premises.
The victim went outside a short time later and the defendant was seen to follow him and lunge toward him.
Caldeira was arrested later that evening after attending the Royal Bournemouth Hospital for treatment to a hand injury.
The victim was taken to hospital and was placed in an induced coma due to the severity of is head injuries. He was subsequently treated for a number of facial fractures and has been left with long term neurological issues.
Detective Constable Ben Swain, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Manuel Caldeira subjected his victim to a nasty assault that left his victim with significant injuries that were initially considered to be potentially life-threatening and are likely to continue to impact him for the rest of his life.
“I am pleased that we were able to quickly identify this defendant as the man who was responsible for the assault and I would like to thank all the witnesses who supported our investigation.”
New Go Slow and No Go Zones are being introduced to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area limiting the speed of e-scooters to 3mph in places.
The Go Slow zone will be in effect across Bournemouth’s promenade throughout the Summer (July and August) from 10am-6pm.
The Go Slow zone will be visible in the Beryl app, shaded in yellow with a tortoise icon. A clock icon will highlight the operating hours of the Go Slow zone.
Scooters are not permitted in the No Go zone which is operating across Christchurch during the e-Scooter trial period. If you do enter the No Go zone, you will receive an alert on your app asking you to dismount and walk your e-Scooter back into the Beryl zone where it is safe and permissible to ride again. The No Go zone is shaded in black with a no entry sign icon. You will not be able to finish your journey here.
This is the moment the gable end of a house in Hyde Mews Christchurch collapsed.
A man can be seen casually walking past and not reacting to the major event.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue service tweeted that the road was closed due to the “unsafe structure” after the incident on 21 May.
A man was captured on a doorbell camera walking past a house as its gable collapsed on to a Christchurch street. https://t.co/WgctvcHwwu pic.twitter.com/T9zOmnOjtn
— BBC South (@BBCSouthNews) May 26, 2021
Eight people have been charged in connection with a police investigation into a suspected organised crime network involved in the supply of class A drugs.
Dorset Police’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) carried out an in-depth investigation into an alleged conspiracy to supply class A drugs in the county between March and June 2020.
Following enquiries made by detectives from SOCIT, a series of arrests were made in June 2020 in the Poole and Bournemouth areas. After further investigation work, eight individuals have now been re-arrested, charged and are due to appear in court.
In total around eight kilograms of suspected class A drugs were seized during the investigation as well as a firearm and ammunition.
A 35-year-old Bournemouth man and a 33-year-old Poole man have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and purchasing a prohibited weapon.
A 43 year old Bournemouth man has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without holding a firearms certificate.
The three men are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 26 May 2021.
A 24-year-old man, also from Bournemouth has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of a class A drug with intent to supply. He is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 June 2021.
A 34-year-old man from Bournemouth and a 43-year-old Bournemouth woman have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. They are due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 June 2021.
A 35-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with being concerned in an arrangement which facilitates the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property by another and participation in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. He is also due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 25 June 2021.
A 40-year-old Bournemouth man has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday 2 July 2021.
Detective Inspector Jamie Halford, of Dorset Police, said: “We are determined to work with our partners to do all we can to disrupt the activities of those suspected of being involved in organised criminal networks supplying class A drugs in our county.
“As well as responding to information from national and regional crime-fighting partners, we also rely on information from members of the public to tackle suspected drug related activity in our communities.
“I would urge anyone with information to report it at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Police Area (LPA) Commander Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan said: “We recognise the impact that the activities of those involved in this kind of activity has on our communities and we will do all we can to send a message that serious criminality of this nature will not be tolerated in Dorset.
“This investigation was led by our Serious Organised Crime Team, which is committed to disrupting the activities of organised crime networks, and I want to praise them for the hard work and commitment they have shown during this long running investigation. I would also like to thank all those from across the Force who have supported the operation.”
BCP Council is issuing its latest round of ARG Stream 3 discretionary grant funding, which will be used to turbocharge innovative business projects across the region and drive long term economic growth.
From today (Monday 24 May) business support organisations, groups representing the retail, hospitality, leisure and welfare sectors and local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) will collectively receive around £700,000. This funding will breathe life into a variety of local projects that have successfully demonstrated innovation, will generate pride in the place we live, provide benefits for the wider economy and are deliverable.
Councillor Philip Broadhead, BCP Council Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy, said: “With our most recent grant stream, we wanted to open a competitive application process that would unearth innovative projects from across a wide section of the local business community. We believe we are the only authority in the country to take this unique approach and I am delighted to share just a few examples of the projects which we will be funding initially with the money supplied to us from government.’’
Some examples include:
- Bournemouth Town Centre BID – crime prevention and the creation of a Peer to Peer board to help businesses improve their in-store experience.
- Bournemouth Coastal BID – funding for an electric vehicle, equipped with a pressure washer and hose, which can also be used to collect food waste from local businesses for composting.
- Poole BID – grant to support street enhancements, LED lighting, festivals and pop up market events to make their area more welcoming to visitors.
- Silicon South – funding for a new business Innovation Programme to help local companies stay relevant and keep one step ahead over the next 18 months.
- Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole – funding a new web and app-based support platform to address employment issue, mental health in the workplace, access to skills and learning.
Christchurch Chamber of Trade and Commerce – a group research project to explore innovative and industry-leading ways to bring people back to town centres and high street and create an event filled city region.
In the next few weeks, individual and groups of businesses who applied for the Stream 3 Bounce Back Challenge Fund will also be notified of the outcome of their applications, with a further £2.75 million provided to deliver innovative local projects. BCP Council is also aiming to shortly distribute a further £1 million in grants through its Exceptional Circumstances Fund for businesses that have not received any grant support so far.
Councillor Broadhead continues: “We are in the process of reviewing over 270 applications for the Bounce Back Challenge Fund and aim to contact all businesses directly in the next few weeks. Showcasing a breadth of creativity, it’s already becoming apparent that this has the potential to go way beyond an initial bounce back. We will therefore be developing a comprehensive BCP Futures programme, to build on these projects as they are delivered and sustain long term economic growth. We are also considering options for future Stream 4 to support this plan.’’
The beach app developed by BCP Council enabling beach-goers to check the busy beaches has undergone a major upgrade and now provides even more information to its users.
BCP Council will be planting over 10,000 trees across the area this year to help combat the climate and ecological emergency.
Detectives continuing to investigate a report of a rape on a woman in the Somerford area of Christchurch are issuing CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to.
If you’re passionate about gardening and need somewhere to put all your grass clippings, plants and weeds, you can now sign up to BCP Council’s garden waste collection service for 2021.
BH Coastal Lottery awarded emergency funds to local good causes who were in need during Covid-19, having raised funds to support organisations in their local response to the pandemic.
BCP Council has been awarded £4.185 million in government funding following a successful Challenge Fund Bid submitted last year.
The funding enables additional key maintenance to be carried out at a number of locations across the BCP area, in addition to work already programmed in as part of the Local Transport Plan.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded this additional money. It means that we can make important improvements to our local road network,
“The money will be spent on improving the maintenance and appearance of roads in a number of locations, that connect residential areas, commercial centres and community facilities to one another. It also complements the work we are progressing under our Transforming Travel programme, which seeks to promote sustainable forms of transport through new walking and cycling infrastructure, helping to free up our roads from traffic.”
The investment includes remedial works to 4.23km of highway at six locations and also includes pavement improvements and traffic signal refurbishment at three locations. Works will complement the proposed Transforming Travel corridors set to be delivered over the next three years, existing maintenance programmes and Local Transport Plan initiatives to be completed by March 2021.
The six locations are:
- A35 Commercial Road in Poole
- A3060 Castle Lane West
- A35 Poole Road in Branksome
- A35 Christchurch Road in Boscombe
- A341 Wimborne Road in Northbourne
- A35 Somerford Roundabout in Christchurch
Council and emergency services have praised local people for showing restraint after a multi-agency response was needed to deal with the unprecedented visitor numbers arriving on the hottest day of the year.
Thousands of people from the area and further afield packed the beaches and town centres across Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole today.
On what was the hottest day of the year so far, the beaches were packed and a number of incidents on the roads meant some people were stuck for hours on the A338 and A31.
Durdle Door was once again closed by Police after too many people tried to access the popular tourist spot, and too many people on Sandbanks saw traffic queuing back to Canford Cliffs to board the Sandbank Car Ferry.
The A31 will also be closed this evening eastbound for the recovery of a vehicle which came off the carriageway this morning, adding to the delays.
Four views of Bournemouth seafront today. Not the busiest I ever seen it but still a huge number of people. To be fair, people are trying to be socially distant but the sheer number of people and quite a few large groups make it very difficult especially near the Pier. @AlamyNews pic.twitter.com/SlrdPcL8X2
— Richard Crease (@RichardCrease) June 24, 2020
A joint bid by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council has been awarded £79 million by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund.
The funding gives the green light for the largest sustainable travel programme of change to transport infrastructure ever seen in the area, helping to transform local transport options, connecting local people and local jobs and education.
It means that significant changes can be made to the travel network to help meet the challenges of congestion being experienced, and support both Councils’ climate and ecological change ambitions.
Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, said: “I’m delighted that our bid with Dorset Council has been awarded this money for our Transforming Cities project. As part of our Climate and Ecological Emergency declaration, we set an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2030.
“This funding is huge and means that we can create so many opportunities for how people access different travel and leisure options. With the climate emergency upon us, it’s vital that we give people new options to rethink how they get around, now and for the future.”
Councillor Spencer Flower, Leader of Dorset Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local councils to provide our residents with real transport alternatives that will tackle the climate and ecological emergency and help people get around more easily.
“By working closely with our colleagues at BCP Council, we can make a positive impact both in the short-term by easing traffic congestion and also in the longer-term by cutting down carbon emissions from vehicles.
“Improved transport links across the county will better connect the communities we serve, which can only be a good thing for our local economy. A renewed focus on active travel via cycling and walking will have obvious health benefits through improved air quality and possibilities for exercise.
“Dorset Council is excited to be part of such an ambitious project that will benefit both the people who live here and visitors to our beautiful county. I’m looking forward to working with partners and watching these plans take shape.”
Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “The Transforming Cities project will enable us to make key transformations in our local transport options for people who travel by car, on foot, by bicycle or people with mobility assistance needs. As well as tackling congestion hotspots that create harmful emissions that blight the health of many people, we’ll be introducing a series of new, better-connected walking and cycling routes so that people can get around much more easily.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the individual projects taking shape – I passionately believe in a vision for a better-connected area.”
Dorset Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, Councillor Ray Bryan, said: “Our ambitious project with BCP Council will make greener travel significantly easier for residents in east Dorset and encourage more people to leave their cars at home for short journeys to work and school.
“Drivers will often bemoan congested roads and commutes taking longer, but there is no additional capacity to squeeze out of these busy routes – there are simply too many cars on the road. These transport infrastructure improvements will give residents a real choice in travel options and an opportunity to make a new travel plan for their journeys.
“We all have a role to play in reducing emissions by making even a small change in the way we live, work and travel – I’m hopeful that Dorset residents will take up the challenge to think differently about how they travel.”
Based on the DfT requirements, three bid options were submitted for different funding amounts, each supported by partnership funding from key stakeholders including Dorset Council, Dorset Public Health as well as local bus operators Morebus and Yellow Buses and sustainable transport operators, Beryl Bikes, who will contribute funding towards the overall £98 million programme.
Working together, the transport partnership will:
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- Create a series of local transport corridors with improvements to bus, cycle and walking routes, to connect homes to places of work and children and young people to schools and education centres more easily
- Create a larger and improved network of cycle routes complementing the corridors, connecting homes to work and children young people to schools and education centres more easily
- See the expansion of a local community bike-share scheme
- Enable access to grant funding for businesses and organisations to create workplace facilities, to encourage sustainable commuting
- Look at congestion hotspots to see how they can be reconfigured in order to speed up journey times, decrease time spent in traffic queues and improve air quality in the locality
- Details about the grant funding scheme for employers for workplace facilities will be publicised shortly.
The programme will have several individual schemes in different areas that will roll out over the next three years. Each project strand will look to improve transport links across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas, as well creating better links and connectivity between the north to south of the area, from Wimborne, Ferndown and other Dorset outlying areas into the major city hub of Bournemouth.
The 2019 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Cultural Enquiry – the first major external review undertaken by BCP Council – has now concluded.
Residents of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being invited to attend their NHS Health Check.
Detectives investigating the reported assault of two people in Bournemouth are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
It was reported that shortly before 2am on Sunday 21 April 2019, the victims – a man and women aged in their 30s – were walking from Old Christchurch Road toward the Lansdowne roundabout when they became involved in a verbal altercation with a man who accused them of damaging his phone.
They walked away from the man and entered Christchurch Road near to Zephyr nightclub and KFC when the female was reportedly struck by an item, believed to be a glass bottle thrown by the alleged offender, who had followed them.
The male victim turned to give chase and was also reportedly struck by an item that was believed to be a glass bottle. The male victim sustained lacerations to his face and the woman sustained a head injury.
The alleged offender was described as white, around five feet nine inches tall and with short dark hair and was wearing grey jeans and no top.
A 34-year-old man from Margate in Kent was arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and has been released under investigation as detectives continue to make enquiries.
Detective Constable Matt Manners, of Bournemouth CID, said: “I am appealing for any witnesses to these reported assaults or anyone with information that can assist our investigation to contact police.”
The family of a woman who died in a fatal collision in Christchurch has named and paid tribute to her.
Joy Norman, 82 and of Christchurch, died following a road traffic collision on Somerford Road at around 3.15pm on Monday 18 March 2019. The incident happened as she was walking along the pavement and involved a blue Ford Focus. Very sadly, and despite the best efforts of emergency services, Joy died at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, a 54-year-old man from Christchurch, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences. He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.
An inquest into her death was opened today, Monday 25 March 2019. A full inquest will be held at a later date.
In a statement, Joy’s family said: “The family of Joy Norman would like to thank the local community for their flowers and tributes, especially those who tried so hard to save her life.
“A big thank you also to the emergency services and the police family support officers who have been there for us during this sad time.
“We miss Joy so much already. She was a loving sister, aunt and friend. Our family get-togethers will never be the same without her sense of fun and slightly fey character.
“Joy cared for children all her working life and for family, friends and neighbours during her retirement.
“She is and will be greatly missed.”
Police Constable Jay Griffin, of the Serious Collision investigation Team, said: “An investigation into the collision remains ongoing and I am appealing to any witnesses, who have not already spoken to police, or anyone who may have captured the incident on dashcam to please contact me.”
An 80-year-old woman has died following a road traffic collision in Christchurch on Monday afternoon.
Dorset Police received a report of an incident on Somerford Road involving a pedestrian and a blue Ford Focus just after 3pm.
Very sadly the pedestrian, a woman from Christchurch aged in her 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family has been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. The coroner has also been notified.
The driver of the Ford, a man aged in his 50s and from Christchurch, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and is assisting officers with their enquiries.
Inspector Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the woman involved and we are carrying out a full investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the collision.
“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident and has not already spoken to officers to please make contact with us.
“I would also like to hear from anyone who may have captured the incident on dashcam.
“Finally, I would like to thank motorists and members of the public for their patience and understanding during the road closures, which were absolutely necessary to allow the emergency services to deal with the incident and to enable a proper examination of the collision scene.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email at SCIT@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 18:263. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Plans for a new link road and junction directly connecting the A338 with the Wessex Fields Business Park and Royal Bournemouth Hospital can now go ahead after the Secretary of State refused the request to call in the decision.
Leader of Bournemouth Council, Councillor John Beesley said: We are delighted that the Secretary of State has concluded that he need not intervene in this important local issue and we thank him for that.
“Our plans to build a new link road and junction connecting the A338 with the Wessex Fields Business Park and the Hospital are already supported by central government funding and will provide a much needed second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, unlock a major economic development site, as well as ease congestion in the future.
“We can now finally get on with building this much needed scheme providing a major boost to the local economy.”
Councillor Philip Broadhead, portfolio holder for the Economy, added: “To get the final go-ahead is fantastic news. The investment will support the creation of around 2,000 new jobs at Wessex Fields Business Park, safeguard the existing 10,000 jobs in the area, as well as provide a much needed second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site.”
The planning application had already been subjected to exhaustive scrutiny as well as significant public consultation. Members of Bournemouth’s Planning Board voted in January to support the recommendation to grant planning permission subject to today’s outcome by the Secretary of State.
Gary Powell, Head of Highways and Transportation, said: “We would like to thank the very many people and businesses who have supported us in our plans, in particular by writing to the Local Planning Authority to urge approval of the application.”
The scheme has been backed by both the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and the Local Enterprise Partnership who is funding the scheme.
Richard Renaut, Chief Operating Officer at Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said; “The Trust fully supports the plans to develop a new link road and junction as it will alleviate congestion ensuring our patients, visitors and hardworking staff do not have to endure delays accessing or leaving the site.”
Lorna Carver, Director of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, said; “Transforming the infrastructure in and around Wessex Fields and connecting it to the A338 will enable the area to reach its full economic potential, creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs, driving business growth across Dorset and providing a second access route to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.”
Officers investigating reports of an assault in the Highcliffe area of Christchurch are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
The incident occurred sometime between 4.45pm and 5pm on Saturday 2 March 2019.
A man aged in his 50s was jogging in Hinton Wood Avenue when he became involved in an incident involving two youths on pedal cycles.
It was reported that the youths followed the man on their bikes as he ran toward Lymington Road and into Wharncliffe Road, before heading down Beacon Drive and into Ranelagh Road.
In Ranelagh Road the man was allegedly challenged by a man and woman who arrived on the scene in a white vehicle. He reported that he was assaulted by this man and woman as well as one of the youths and sustained head injuries that required an assessment in hospital.
A 36-year-old local woman and a 33-year-old local man have been arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and have been released under investigation as officers continue to make enquiries.
Police Constable Paul Mellor, of Dorset Police, said: “Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this altercation, or who has any information that can assist our enquiries, to contact us.”
Two men have been jailed after admitting a series of thefts from cash machines across Dorset.
Constantin Razyan Tanase, aged 32 and Adrian Tanase, aged 36, both of Waverley Road in London, were sentenced to 12 months in prison at Bournemouth Crown Court on Thursday 21 February 2019 after admitting five counts of theft from cash machines. Adrian Tanase also admitted a charge of possessing or controlling an article for use in fraud.
At around 10.15pm on Thursday 10 January 2019 Dorset Police received a report from security staff at the Dolphin Centre in Poole of three men acting suspiciously around a TSB cash machine in Falkland Square.
Town centre cameras tracked the men and showed two of them using some sort of lead or ribbon to remove a large number of bank notes from the machine. The total taken was £230.
The two men were located by officers and arrested. Adrian Tanase was found to have a bank card in his pocket that was not in his name.
Further reports had been received of cash being stolen from TSB machines in High West Street Dorchester and Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth in the early hours of Friday 4 January 2019, with £300 and £280 taken respectively. A further incident happened in Old Christchurch Road in the early hours of Sunday 30 December 2019, where £310 was taken, and a fifth incident occurred at a TSB cash machine on Gillingham High Street.
CCTV from these offences were obtained and through this Constantin and Adrian Tanase were identified as the men responsible.
The defendants also asked for three cash machine thefts in Suffolk and three in Norfolk that occurred on Sunday 6 January 2019 and Monday 7 January 2019 to be taken into consideration when they were sentenced.
Detective Constable Garry Weston, of Bournemouth CID, said: “These two men were responsible for a number of thefts from cash machines not just across Dorset but elsewhere in the country.
“Thanks to the actions of the security staff at the Dolphin Centre, the Poole town centre camera team and the swift response of officers we were able to arrest them and bring them to justice for their offending.”
Officers investigating the theft of clothing from two stores are issuing CCTV images of the suspect.
At around 5.50pm on Saturday 26 January 2019 a man entered the TK Maxx store at the Meteor Retail Park in Christchurch and selected a number of clothing items before leaving the premises without paying.
A similar incident occurred at the TK Maxx store in West Howe on Friday 1 February 2019, which officers believe involved the same male offender.
The total value of clothing taken during the two thefts was approximately £400. Police Sergeant Carmel Ryan, of Dorset Police, said: “We are carrying out enquiries into these two incidents and are issuing CCTV images of the suspect in the hope that someone will recognise him.
“I would urge anyone with information as to his identity to contact us.”
