Officers carried out a road safety operation using drone technology to target community concerns of anti-social driving in Sandbanks.
A proactive policing operation was carried out during the evening of Friday, 29 May 2026, by the Roads Policing Team, Safety Camera Team, Force Support Group and officers from the Special Constabulary utilising specially trained drone officers to tackle anti-social driving and riding.
The operation was carried out in direct response to concerns raised by the local community.
A police drone was deployed over the area to give a higher vantage point to spot any offences of poor driving, allowing officers to then intercept motorists on the ground.
During the evening, over 70 motorists were identified as exceeding the speed limit and two arrests were made for reportedly driving while over the drink and drug drive limits.
A number of other offences were dealt with, including not being in proper control of a vehicle, no insurance, driving while using a mobile phone, driving without due care and attention, not wearing a seatbelt and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.
Inspector Lee Turner, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “We regularly receive complaints from residents in Sandbanks about poor driver behaviour and so this operation was set up as a direct response to target anyone committing offences.
“We have been taking an innovative approach using drone technology to identify offences on the ground that are then communicated to officers so they can take action.
“We will look to use all of the options in our toolkit, including the latest technology, to reduce anti-social driving or riding and protect road users.
“We do receive concerns of anti-social driving from other areas across Dorset and we will be looking to replicate this operation in those places to support our local communities.
“While I recognise that we can’t be everywhere all of the time, we rely on information from residents in order to be able to build up an intelligence picture and target individuals who are putting other road users in danger. If you have any information that could assist us, I would ask you to report it to us or confidentially via Crimestoppers.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said: “I am pleased to see Dorset Police carrying out this proactive operation in Sandbanks. I have previously received concerns from residents about anti-social and dangerous driving in the area, and this operation demonstrates that both the Force and I are listening to those concerns and taking action.
“This operation sends a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. I would like to thank the officers involved for their work to keep residents and visitors safe and help make our roads safer for everyone.”
