Two Years On: Put Victims and Communities First and Make Every Penny Count
As the voice of the public in policing, it is my job to ensure that Dorset residents are getting the best possible service from their police force. This includes getting the right support should you be the victim of a crime and getting value for money as taxpayers.
This week I would like to share with you the work that has gone on over the last year to Put Victims and Communities First and Make Every Penny Count.
Business and Retail Crime
The Dorset Safer Business Partnership (DSBP) has continued to be successful in encouraging a joined-up approach to fighting business crime. In the last 12 months, the DSBP has grown in strength, working together to develop solutions to criminal activity that impacts businesses across the county. Work is underway to improve the crime reporting process and the DSBP is working with businesses to increase the submission of ‘crime packs’ to the Police.
In addition to the DSBP, Dorset Police now have a Business Crime Strategy and a Tactical Plan. With this increased focus from the force, shopkeepers and managers are feeling the benefits. Since the launch of the strategy, Dorset Police heard from the manager of a large retail store in Dorset, expressing gratitude for an increase in police activity. As a result, the manager reported that thefts in the store had reduced by £239,000 over the previous 12 months, with no further reports of assaults or abuse on staff. I know there is always a need to address shoplifting and I will continue to work with Dorset Police and the DSBP to ensure more will be done to combat shoplifting and, in fact, all crimes that effect businesses in Dorset.
Last year, my office launched a cybercrime survey aimed at Dorset businesses to help understand their knowledge of cybercrime threats and to highlight areas where we can improve cybercrime awareness and support provisions. In November 2022, a bi-monthly Cyber Crime Newsletter was launched by Dorset Police and my office. The newsletter aims to keep businesses up to date with the latest news, campaigns, crime prevention and support available to them.
Criminal Justice Service and Restorative Justice
Over the last year, my office has scrutinised the use of the Out of Court Disposals process in Dorset, exploring what is delivered, why, and whether it is in line with best practice. The report found that Dorset is delivering a high-quality service in line with legislation and national best practice.
My office has also worked with the Addiction Recovery Agency, and an agreement has been made for them to make available an out-of-court disposal for problem gamblers, free of charge. This will ensure that there is the right support in place for those struggling with gambling addictions and in turn, help offenders move away from crime.
Efficiency
At the start of 2023, Dorset welcomed a new Chief Constable and Amanda Pearson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role. Dorset needed a Chief Constable to drive forward and deliver on the Police and Crime Plan and policing vision that is already fundamentally delivering for the people of Dorset and I believe Amanda is that person. I want Dorset to be the safest county and I know that Amanda shares that ambition.
Across the force, progress has been made to make processes and work streams more efficient. For example, my office have worked with the Force Innovation Board to approve an initiative to deliver the automatic transfer of intelligence reports to the force record management system to improve data consistency, save staff time, and reduce double keying. These sort of innovations are vital in freeing up both police officer and staff time, which results in an improved service for the public.
Many of you will know about the new HQ build that is underway in Winfrith. However, this is just one part of a large Estates Futures project happening across Dorset. We are working hard to ensure the force are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. I am pleased to say a commitment has been made to upgrade heating systems throughout the entire estate to improve the organisations green credentials, ensuring a more energy efficient approach and reducing the organisations carbon footprint.
Funding
I am pleased to be able to say that, over the last year, Ministry of Justice and Home Office grants have increased to £683,000 in Dorset, an increase of over £95,000 in grant funding to support victims of crime. This increase included grants to support victims of sexual violence and domestic abuse, and the provision of domestic abuse perpetrator programmes. I am delighted we are seeing more funding coming into Dorset and I will continue to lobby to ensure our county gets the funding it deserves.
In the last year, I have approved the continuation of the Grant to People First Forum, who provide support and advocacy for victims of crime with disabilities. This service includes support for both hate crime against people with disabilities. My office has also funded specialist autism training to ensure that volunteers and staff are equipped to appropriately support those with autism.
As a county, our population trebles in the summer months, yet we receive no extra funding and added to that we are already one of the worst-funded forces in the country – so the pressure really gets ramped- up to deal with more demand but with less resource. For the last two years, I have lobbied the government on this, asking for a review of the way funding for police forces is calculated, so it takes into consideration the variation in population during the tourist season.
The government are now developing a new funding formula for policing and in October last year, the Chief Constable and I submitted evidence to the Home Office on the effects of ‘Sparsity and Seasonality’ in Dorset. I am hopeful that the new funding formula will account for the serious impact that seasonality has on policing our county.
I hope you have found the last few weeks of newsletters updating you on the work happening to progress the Police and Crime Plan informative. If you would like to find out more then I invite you to read the OPCC annual report.
While I have you, I’d like to take this opportunity to invite you take my annual survey and tell me how safe you feel in Dorset. The survey is your opportunity to share what crimes concern you most and will shape the work I do in the future.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner