The Home Watch scheme is similar to the Neighbourhood Watch schemes that operates in larger communities.

This was initiated in Shipton Gorge in 1992 by the Village Society and has been operating successfully ever since. The scheme provides an early warning system for villagers of potential crime situations and a way of passing information quickly and locally within the parish.

The way it works is that the village, including the properties and surrounding area, are divided into five sections, each one having a contact person who is kept informed of any local problems and who then passes information to others within their section. The system is run by a Dorset Alert which is a computer controlled telephone system linked to Dorset Police.

This system works very effectively in the village with the Police reporting a very low level of crime within the Parish.

The Homewatch Co-ordinator for Shipton Gorge is Sally Parker. Her address is 12 Peas Hill, Shipton Gorge, Bridport, Dorset DT6 4LR and she can be contacted on 01308 897168.

The Police Officers covering the village are PC Anf Elwood and WPC Kirsti Frecknall. Our Police Community Support Officer is PCSO Alex Bishop.  All are based at Beaminster Fire Station and can be contacted by calling 101.