The Bournemouth One News Centre

All the news you need for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole with travel information and national headlines.

• Appeal after woman assaulted at Bowl Central

  Police in Bournemouth have released CCTV images after a woman was assaulted at Bowl Central. The incident happened at around quarter to ten on Wednesday twenty eighth January on Westover Road. A woman in her twenties was pushed and punched in the face, suffering minor injuries. Officers say they have tried to identify a man and a woman involved and are now asking the public to come forward. Anyone with information is urged to contact Dorset Police quoting the reference number.

• Beach huts council tax change approved in Christchurch area

  BCP Council has approved plans to remove the council tax discount for beach huts in the Christchurch area. More than three hundred and forty huts at Mudeford Sandspit and Hengistbury Head will be reclassified as second homes from the first of April twenty twenty six. The move is expected to raise more than two hundred thousand pounds to support local services, including fire and police. Councillors backed the budget, which includes the change, by thirty nine votes to twenty, with eight abstentions.

• Rural crime crackdown sees arrests and vehicle stops

  Police teams from across the region joined Dorset officers for a major day of action targeting rural and waste crime. Ten vehicles were stopped in the east of the county, with one driver arrested after a positive drugs test and nine tickets issued for offences including no insurance and unsafe loads. A further twenty one vehicles were checked near the A thirty five at Puddletown. Inspectors said working with neighbouring forces and partners gives them the best chance of tackling organised criminality across county borders.

• Bournemouth and Poole council rents to rise in April

  Council tenants in Bournemouth and Poole will see rents rise by nearly five per cent from April. The increase was agreed by councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday the twenty fourth of February. On average, weekly rents will go up by just over five pounds in both towns. The council says forty three million pounds will be spent on major works to improve homes, alongside further investment in maintenance and energy efficiency.

• Dorset Lord-Lieutenant backs HealthBus

  Dorset’s Lord-Lieutenant has been announced as the new Patron of the HealthBus Trust. Professor Michael Dooley will support the Bournemouth-based charity, which provides specialist healthcare for people experiencing homelessness. The service runs three to four days a week through a mobile clinic and outreach work. He says it is an honour to champion a charity helping those who struggle to access mainstream healthcare.