Police probe after council staff broke financial rules

Dorset Police said there had been contact with the council "to explore any investigative opportunities"

Detectives have confirmed they are investigating what led to the sacking of 11 Dorset Council staff who oversaw health and safety improvements to the authority's buildings.

An investigation found its financial rules were broken and taxpayers were overcharged following work to the authority's buildings between 2022 and September 2024.

The initial budget for the project was £4m but the report shows the overall cost of health and safety work totalled about £13m.

In a statement Dorset Police said: "We are in communication with Dorset Council to explore any investigative opportunities."

The investigation found evidence of "illegal activity or fraud" and "obfuscation and dishonesty by council officers".

It showed a handful of firms were favoured for work with some fees not being properly authorised, prices inflated and "substantial unnecessary and unjustified costs".

One example given was a charge of £300 for work which was worth only £20.

Deputy Dorset Council leader Richard Biggs told Dorchester town councillors on Monday that it was "quite staggering" the rule-breaking "had carried on for so long without coming to anyone's attention".