Your Police Force, Your Say
As we settle into the New Year, I would like to thank everyone who has already taken the time to complete my Precept Survey. Your feedback is vital and helps inform my decision on the police precept for the next financial year.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, one of my key responsibilities is setting the police budget, something I take extremely seriously. Since taking office in 2021, I have repeatedly and consistently lobbied Government to reform the national police funding formula. The current model is outdated and fails to reflect Dorset’s rural nature and seasonal population increases, with the Force receiving one of the lowest levels of government funding in England and Wales. Put simply, this formula leaves us at a significant disadvantage. As a result, Dorset residents contribute around 52% of Dorset Police’s funding through council tax, compared with a national average of approximately 35%, and as little as 20% in some areas. This is fundamentally unfair to both Dorset Police and the people of this county, and I will continue to press for change until this is rectified.
However, until that vital reform is delivered, I have a duty to ensure Dorset Police is properly funded to continue keeping residents and visitors safe. Despite years of widespread calls for change, Government has made it clear that forces are expected to bridge funding gaps through increases to the police precept. Asking residents to pay more is never easy, and it is not something I do lightly. Indeed, I have been asked why the survey does not include an option to freeze the precept and I must be direct. Given the current funding situation and lack of reform to the national formula, this is simply not viable. Freezing the precept would place Dorset Police under severe financial strain and could put essential services at risk. I have been left with no choice but to ask for more.
Another point I wish to make clear is Dorset Police’s strong track record of managing public finances responsibly. The Force has consistently delivered efficiency savings and reinvested them into frontline policing, while maintaining balanced budgets. This approach has been independently recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services confirming Dorset Police provides value for money, delivers efficiency savings, improves productivity, and has sound financial management in place.
Dorset remains a safe place to live and visit – we are currently the eighth safest area in the country. Crime is falling, outcomes for victims are improving, burglary outcomes are strengthening, and both antisocial behaviour and knife crime continue to decline to even lower levels. Our award-winning Rural Crime Team continues to deliver excellent results, which is especially important in a county like ours. These achievements are a testament to the dedication of Dorset Police, particularly in the face of ongoing financial pressures.
In order for Dorset Police to continue their work protecting the public, keeping communities safe and bringing criminals to justice, I am determined to do all that I can to ensure the Chief Constable has the resources required to do so. That is why your views are so important. This is your police force, and it is right that you have a say in how it is funded. As your voice in policing, I will continue to press Government for a fairer, future-proof funding model for Dorset.
Please take a couple of minutes to complete the Precept Survey. Your views matter, and together we can help ensure Dorset Police remains effective, efficient, and focused on keeping Dorset safe.
Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/websitepcc
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner