Public rallies behind dismissed Dorset Police officer Lorne Castle as fundraiser surges past £5,000 within hours
Support floods in for former officer as fundraiser set up by his former chief tops £5,000 in hours, highlighting public outrage over Dorset Police’s handling of the case
Support for PC Lorne Castle continues to grow following his widely condemned dismissal from Dorset Police.
A newly launched GoFundMe campaign, set up by retired T/Chief Inspector Christopher Amey, has raised over £5,000 within just a few hours of going live—half of its £10,000 target. One anonymous donor has already contributed £1,000, a powerful symbol of the strength of feeling around this case.
Christopher Amey, who trained and mentored Castle during his time with Dorset Police, has become a vocal critic of how the force handled the case.
In a widely shared statement, he described the sacking of PC Castle as a “witch hunt” and said the force was “no longer fit for purpose.” His words have resonated not just with those in the policing community but with thousands of members of the public who recognise the injustice of what has taken place.
PC Lorne Castle’s record speaks for itself. A bravery award winner, a life-saver, a community role model, and a frontline officer who repeatedly stepped into danger to protect others—including entering freezing waters to rescue an elderly woman with dementia.
But his career was ended not for unlawful conduct or excessive force, but for losing his temper and using strong language while arresting a knife-carrying teenager who had allegedly assaulted two members of the public, including a 14-year-old boy and an elderly gentleman.
Despite his arrest techniques being ruled lawful, and the most serious allegations unproven, Castle was sacked without notice and barred from ever serving again.
This fundraiser, launched by the very man who helped shape Castle’s policing career, is a clear reflection of how the public and emergency services community truly feel.
People are not just angry. They’re putting their money where their mouth is, standing up for the family of a man they believe has been badly wronged. The comments which have been left on the crowdfunding campaign speak volumes.
Andy Evans, who served 31 years in a neighbouring force, wrote, “This perverse outcome brings shame on us all.” His message speaks not just to frustration, but to a deep sense of betrayal within the policing community. Evans called for the support of the public and colleagues, while also delivering a powerful indictment of Dorset Police’s senior leadership, which he described as “pathetic” and “incompetent.”
James Cook, a retired officer, echoed the growing sentiment of disbelief across the emergency services community and their many supporters. “Despite missing the circus, I don’t miss the clowns,” he wrote. Referring to a colleague who successfully appealed a similar situation, Cook offered both hope and solidarity, reminding Lorne that “common sense will ultimately win” and urging him to stay strong for the sake of his family.
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Patrick Coveney’s message captured the emotional weight of what many retired officers now feel about the profession they once loved. “The service is not the one I am (thankfully) now retired from,” he wrote. He described Lorne’s dismissal as “appalling” and “ridiculous,” expressing confidence that the majority of the public stand firmly behind Castle. Coveney also didn’t mince his words about today’s police leadership, calling it “weaselly” and “woke,” and urging the Police Federation to fight for Lorne’s reinstatement.
You can find the link to the GoFundMe page at the bottom of this blog. And if you want to stay up to date with how this story develops, make sure you’re subscribed to our free newsletter.
CLICK HERE to visit the GoFundMe page.