POLICE in Dorchester will be joined by staff from other agencies as they step up patrols this summer.

Dorset Police are planning an enhanced level of policing in evenings over the summer holidays.

Officers will be joined on the beat by primary care trust staff, who will provide generic health and sexual health advice.

West Dorset District Council’s community safety officer and environmental health team will also head out on patrols with police to keep people safe.

Similar schemes will also take place in Bridport and Sherborne.

Section commander for Dorchester and Sherborne, Inspector Les Fry said: “We are committed to ensuring people of West Dorset are safe and feel safe.

“Under the banner of Operation Protect, we are joining forces with health, fire, local councils and the voluntary sector to tackle violent crime in all forms through increased enforcement and prevention activity in towns.”

Police will also be working alongside licensing officers from the district council as well as Dorset Fire and Rescue Service and will be visiting licensed premises to take action against anyone flouting licensing laws.

Officers will also be liasing with local pubs involved with the Pubwatch scheme and patrolling officers will carry a special radio that allows Pubwatch members to contact them directly.

Over the summer holidays Dorset County Council’s Trading Standards officers will be visiting off-licences to ensure alcohol is not being sold to under-18s.

The Shire Alcohol and Drug Outreach Service (Shadows) will also have workers out on the streets to offer young people advice on alcohol and drug use.