Importance of community interaction and engagement to shape Dorset's policing priorities

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Boscombe Quarterly Forum where I met with members of the community to listen and take on board their concerns. Meeting and engaging with Dorset residents allows me to better understand the specific challenges you are facing in each neighbourhood, as I am aware the types of crimes residents experience can differ greatly between those living in urban hubs or our beautiful countryside.

Being at community events talking directly to you provides an opportunity to highlight precisely what we are doing to keep you safe, what is coming down the pipeline and, to recognise what success we have achieved during my three years in office so far.

Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for ensuring effective and efficient police services. My role is multi-faceted but as the Dorset representative chosen by you, a key responsibility of mine is to hear you, the people of Dorset, and act on your behalf. I do this by making sure sufficient funds and resources are put towards crimes that are having the biggest impact on your daily lives.

That is why I put such a strong emphasis upon interacting with our communities. To involve you in decision making, ensure good levels of customer service so the Force reach the high expectations you rightly have of them, and to continue building a bridge of trust between Dorset Police and residents.

Communication creates trust, hence the importance of discussing issues with everyone the length and breadth of the county. The more people trust us to deal with their reports in a timely and robust manner, the more likely we are to receive reports and intelligence which help to catch criminals and prevent them causing fear and disorder on our streets.

I want to make it clear to every resident and every community no matter where you are in Dorset, your opinions matter to me. These events are not merely talking shops, but rather a place to share feedback both good and bad in the knowledge that it is taken seriously. I am committed to ensuring we continue to act on the things you feel most passionately about, which is why these events are so valuable.

My team and I will be at various events including Bournemouth Air Show and Dorset County Show so if you attend, come and see us and share information. From farmers and shopkeepers to schoolchildren, parents and road users and many more, we value what you tell us whether complimentary or critical.

We will not be complacent. We will continue this upward trajectory but there is always room for improvement and we need your support to do this, to help identify where the gaps in service provision are and what topics need to be prioritised on our agenda. Entering my second term in office, I am determined to keep lines of communication open, to stop and talk with you I’m when out and about, to attend resident meetings, go along to your local community hall, be at community events and spend time listening to what you have to tell me.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner