As Christmas draws closer, I’d like to take the opportunity to reflect on the progress made over the past 12 months as part of my commitment to making Dorset the safest county. There has been much good work completed once again and I thank the people of Dorset for re-electing me as your Police and Crime Commissioner, ensuring my Police and Crime Plan, which is making a positive difference, continues to deliver for the people of Dorset as we head into 2025. Here are my highlights from 2024.

1.Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

This year, great strides have been taken to tackle anti-social behaviour across Dorset, and I am pleased to say reported incidents have fallen to their lowest levels since 2007/8, also dropping 12% since last year. As well as the Force-led Operation Relentless, 100 Days of Summer and Operation Track, I have granted £39,000 to organisations as part of the Operation Relentless Community Fund, which aims to reduce ASB and increase feelings of safety in the community.

At this time of year, business crime is of particular concern to many people and Dorset Police’s Op Shopkeeper focusing on high harm repeat offenders has seen 32 perpetrators targeted in the past year, achieving 696 positive outcomes for victims. Alongside this robust enforcement, the Dorset Safer Business Partnership goes from strength to strength, with the first major retail chain meeting taking place in October, and another planned for April 2025.

I also want to thank our Community Speed Watch teams for their dedication this year, with volunteer numbers growing even further in 2024. This is also a good moment to remind road users in Dorset of the Force’s ‘Festive Feedback’ Christmas drink and drug campaign, which this year is encouraging the reporting of dangerous motorists. For every report made about a drink or drug driver during December, this will be followed by a call back, updating about the police action taken.

2.Make Policing More Visible and Connected

Building bridges of trust and confidence between Dorset Police and our communities is something I have been determined to improve. During the summer, I attended a number of summer events along with my team across rural and urban Dorset discussing a range of concerns and feedback. Along with Dorset Police and on some occasions BCP Council, I have taken part in a series of Facebook Live broadcasts answering questions directly from members of the public on a range of matters, the most recent on shoplifting and business crime.

I am pleased to see the Force making improvements in their response to the highest-grade emergency calls; something I know is of significant importance not just to me, but the people of Dorset. Thanks to the introduction of initiatives such as Enhanced Video Response and Right Care, Right Person which are improving efficiency for officers and the Force, it is hoped these response times will continue to reduce.

3.Fight Violent Crime and High Harm

As part of my commitment to tackling violence, my Office produced a number of hard-hitting videos on the impact of knife crime, to be shown to young people in schools as part of the education delivered by the Dorset Police’s Safer Schools and Communities Team. While our rate of knife crime remains low, these emotive and impactful videos drive home the message to young people to put down the knives. The Force also took part in Sceptre, a national operation, where officers seized knives, carried out enforcement activities, awareness work and educated hundreds of young people across Dorset.

Operation Scorpion and Operation Viper have continued to disrupt drugs supply in Dorset and across the South West this year, shutting down county lines and safeguarding vulnerable people. In 2025, the activity will continue apace, sending the message that Dorset is #NoPlaceForDrugs.

A number of new projects designed to help protect women and girls from violence launched this year thanks to Safer Streets funding, and include education and training, CCTV in popular night-time economy spots and ID scanners to name just a few of the schemes. This funding continues in 2025, and I am looking forward to seeing how these schemes flourish.

4.Fight Rural Crime

The Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime, went from strength to strength this year, tackling the issues we know our proud rural communities want to see dealt with. I was pleased to partly fund a fly-tipping officer position to investigate fly-tipping and environmental crimes. The results speak for themselves, with double the amount of penalty notices issued in the first five months, compared to the previous five months.

The Mounted Volunteer Scheme, which supports the Force’s Rural Crime Team, has expanded further to include 16 volunteers now. Additionally, the number of Watch Groups in Dorset’s rural areas have risen to 24 meaning a larger territory is being protected. My team also secured £20,000 to distribute 950 DNA marking kits to farmers, to tag machinery, acting as a deterrent to thieves operating across Dorset, also making it easier to return goods to their rightful owner if recovered.

5.Put Victims and Communities First

This vital commitment ensures the best possible outcome for those who need help and support to recover from the impact of crime. From funding for vital Independent Sexual Violence Advisors with organisations like Stars Dorset, to the crucial work Restorative Justice Dorset carry out, my support for victims of crime remains unwavering.

One initiative introduced by Dorset Police this year has also given greater power to victims of crime. The Enhanced Video Response project gives victims of crime the chance to speak to an officer via a video call rather than in person. The initiative is victim-led, giving each victim greater choice in how they interact with Dorset Police. If the victim prefers to see an officer in person, that option continues to be available. I am clear in my determination to ensure victims of crime are heard.

6. Make Every Penny Count

I will continue to lobby for a fair funding formula. Dorset receives the second lowest amount of police grant funding of any force in England and Wales. This squeeze on our finances is unfair and means more difficult decisions need to be made to balance our budget. As you may have seen, I have launched our annual precept survey this month, asking you to have your say on the policing part of the council tax precept.

I want to assure you that I will be relentless in my fight to ensure Dorset is the safest county. While much good work has taken place this year, I am by no means complacent, and remain fully committed to ensuring the priorities in my Police and Crime Plan continue to progress to ensure the people of Dorset can have even more confidence in their police force.

I wish you all a safe and happy festive season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner