A SUMMER clampdown on violent crime has led to a 22 per cent increase in arrests for such offences.

Dorset Police targeted anti-social behaviour, mainly in town centres, during the busy summer months with 574 arrests in an eight-week period.

Now assistant chief constable Adrian Whiting has praised the successful Operation Protect and has warned that officers in the county will continue to take a hard line against violent offenders.

He admitted violent crime is still on the increase in the county but said the figures reflect a national trend.

"This is a great result in terms of the ongoing fight against violent crime," he said.

"I'm extremely proud of these results and am pleased that we've been able to take these offenders off the streets of Dorset.

"But just because Operation Protect has run its course doesn't mean that we won't still be tracking violent criminals."

The operation, carried out in major centres of population, focussed on repeat offenders.

First published: Sept 16