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  4. Keep Dorset's Neighbourhood Policing Teams

Keep Dorset's Neighbourhood Policing Teams

Despite the ongoing financial cuts and associated impact on police resources, the PCC made a commitment to retain Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in Dorset.

Neighbourhood Policing is recognised as an essential part of the UK policing approach that aims to connect communities directly and seamlessly to specialist policing services at local level.

It encourages the use of locally tailored evidence-based practice to have a sustained impact on reducing harm, repeat demand and increasing community resilience.

Alongside community engagement, it requires effective data sharing between different agencies for problems to be identified and properly understood, and for effective decision making and action at the neighbourhood level. Neighbourhood policing is specifically effective at: 

  • Reducing public perceptions of disorder;
  • Increasing trust and confidence in the police; and
  • Increasing the perceived legitimacy of the police

The current Dorset Police structure includes 12 geographical neighbourhood areas, led by an Inspector, underpinned by 59 NPTs.

NPTs are usually made up of a combination of Sergeants, Constables and PCSOs. Further information on NPTs and their activity can be accessed via the Dorset Police website and associated social media accounts.

In April 2018, furthering the commitment to neighbourhood policing, Dorset Police introduced a new Police Community Support Investigator (PCSI) role to better meet the demands of modern policing. 

Changes as a result of the Force’s new delivery model will free up officers’ time, generating increases in people and resources to teams dealing with cyber-crime, child sexual exploitation and sex offences, as well as other areas that generate higher levels of risk to the public.

July 2019 also saw the launch of the Neighbourhood Engagement Contract (NEC) initiative, setting out 10 minimum standards and common objectives that each NPT aim to achieve within their area.

The contract and the neighbourhood plans that flow from it, aim to outline how local policing teams will engage with their local community through community meetings, partnerships and social media feeds as well as share best practice and good ideas.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) has played a key role in reviewing NPT assessments against the NEC, providing feedback on current activity and informing future neighbourhood plans.

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