Twelve cops + one drunk = overkill

A small crowd gathered on Boscombe seafront today after no less than five police cars and 12 officers arrived to deal with a man sitting on top of a giant sandcastle.
The man, who had obviously been drinking, had been sitting on top of the giant sand pile which is being used to build Boscombe's surf reef.
The sand pyramid has become popular with young people who consider climbing it an amusing challenge for a Saturday night.
As soon as he became aware of the trouble he'd caused, the man - can in hand - slid down the pyramid to the throng of waiting police below.
One officer joked: "It's a competition to see how many police officers you can get in one place."
Unfortunately for the two policemen left to make the arrest, the man was too drunk to scale the fencing and found himself trapped inside the construction compound.
He had to be escorted to the compound gate.

Thieves destroy Cliff Gardens

Shrub thieves have stolen so many plants from Boscombe Cliff Gardens, the council can no longer afford to replace them.
Newly planted shrubs have been gradually disappearing from the pleasure gardens between The Marina and Boscombe Cliff Road and, to begin with, council workers replaced them.
But a sign from Dorset Police pinned to a lamp post informed visitors it was no longer worth replacing the plants until the culprit was found.

Police use new law to close pub

Deacons pub in Christchurch Road has been shut down by police who suspect it was being used by drug dealers.
Dorset Police obtained a temporary closure notice against the premises which is thought to be connected with the "use, production or supply of class A drugs".
The pub temporarily closed in February following the death of a customer.
The Home Office introduced new laws on Monday which extend current crack house closure powers under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The new premise closure order power will enable police forces and local authorities to close any premises - privately owned or rented accommodation - that cause significant and persistent disorder in the local community. That means no-one will be able to hide from the law if they cause serious nuisance to their neighbours.
"Premises closures will only be used as a last resort, but they make it clear that anyone who thinks they can flout the law and get away with it is just plain wrong."

Missing local man: photo released

Police have issued a picture of a man who has been missing from Boscombe for over a week.
Steven Thirlwell, 40, was last seen on Friday, October 24, and sent a distressed text message to friends the following day.
Officers believe he may be in the Lymington area and would have travelled there by public transport as he does not drive.
He was last seen wearing a dark blue Reebok jacket, black trousers, black slip-on shoes and carrying a black bag.
He is white, six feet two inches tall and of a slight build with short dark hair.
Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 01202 222 222.