Throughout this current lockdown period Dorset Council and Dorset Police are working together on training Police dogs by using space made available by the council at the old Wimborne First School.
The old Wimborne First school building, in School Lane, became empty after the school was moved to Campanula Way as part of a new housing development in Wimborne. The future of the old Wimborne First School buildings are being considered.
Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Assets & Property said: “I’m really happy that Dorset Police are able to use the old school and put it to good use over the lockdown period as a training venue for their dogs. Any support that we can offer the emergency services during this time is important as we all continue to observe government guidance and stay at home.
Two types of training are happening in the school, the first being for General Purpose Police dogs involving German Shepherds and German Shepherd/Malinois Cross dogs that are being trained to search for people and property.
The second type of specialist training involves Spaniels and Labradors, which are being trained to locate substances or objects of interest to the Police.
Police Inspector Neil Leat, of the Dorset Police dog section, said: “The Dorset Police Dogs Team is really grateful to Dorset Council for the use of the old Wimborne First School building. It is instrumental in allowing us to improve and maintain the standards of all our police dogs.
“We are constantly on the lookout for venues to train our dogs and would be glad to hear from anyone else who would consider letting us use their vacant property.”
What a shame and a sign of the times. An old building established to teach the local children being utilised by the police to train their dogs.
With the development of thousands of properties locally, do you not think it more important to let the kids know you care about their future!?!
With a caring council who let their youth know they were valued there may not be any need for police dogs……