19/10/2026
Weekly Update - Friday October 16th 2026
- Earlier this year we posted that Sherborne NPT Officers had tracked down and arrested a person on suspicion of committing s*xual offences against children. Now the investigation is concluded we can confirm this was Clare Townsend. She was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Monday 12 October 2026 to three years and nine months in prison and made the subject of a s*xual harm prevention order (SHPO) for ten years. Townsend was also given a five-year restraining order and placed on the s*x offenders register indefinitely.
- Work continues on the Corelli Estate to tackle increasing anti-social behaviour associated with the use of off-road motorbikes, e-bikes and e-scooters. Yesterday evening another bike was seized after it was sighted by an Officer on patrol. Thank you to all those who call in and keep us updated of where and when these incidents occur. Please do get in touch with any information that might assist us.
- A community contact point was held in Sherborne outside the Co-op, Westbridge Park providing local residents with an opportunity to speak directly with the Neighbourhood Policing Team and raise any concerns affecting them or the wider community. The next event will be on 05th November between 11:00 and 14:00.
- Safeguarding work continues following reports of rogue traders targeting elderly and potentially vulnerable residents. We are working collaboratively with Trading Standards, banks and government-approved traders to help protect residents and disrupt those responsible.
- Intelligence-led foot patrols continue across Sherborne town centre and identified hotspot locations, focusing resources on areas where concerns and incidents have been reported.
- On a lighter note the team managed to reunite a frightened dog that bolted after a fright with her relieved owner. Both owner and dog were ecstatic to see each other.
