Fifth Annual Report highlights continued progress in delivering Dorset’s Police and Crime Plan
The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, has published his fifth Annual Report, setting out the significant progress being made to deliver the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan and keep Dorset one of the safest counties in the country.
Covering the 2025/26 financial year, the report demonstrates measurable improvements across all six priority areas, with a clear focus on cutting crime, supporting victims and strengthening community safety.
The report highlights that Dorset is now the fourth safest county in the country and that crime is falling. It sets out the work that is happening to deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB) and that ASB is now at its lowest level in over 16 years, because of targeted initiatives such as hotspot policing and the continued success of the Operation Relentless Community Fund.
The report also outlines that strong progress has also been made in tackling serious violence and organised crime, with increased enforcement activity disrupting drug supply chains and reducing knife-related offences through a combination of prevention, education and partnership working.
Improving police visibility and engagement remains a key priority, with the use of new mobile police stations being set up regularly across the county and regular community contact points being held to ensure local people get to meet the officers and staff that work in their area. The report also notes that there are additional neighbourhood officers helping ensure Dorset Police remains accessible and connected to the communities it serves.
Supporting victims continues to be central to the PCC’s approach, with a wide range of commissioned services providing both practical and emotional support, alongside strengthened work to tackle violence against women and girls.
The report also outlines ongoing work to address rural crime, including strengthened partnerships with farmers, landowners and rural communities, alongside targeted enforcement activity to tackle issues such as fly-tipping, wildlife crime and heritage crime and highlights the ongoing work to protect vulnerable people and invest in early intervention programmes to prevent harm and reduce reoffending.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “This is my fifth Annual Report, and it clearly demonstrates that real progress is being made against the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan. That plan that was written to tackle the issues that the people of Dorset told me were important to them and while challenges remain, I am proud of the work taking place across Dorset to cut crime, support victims and keep our communities safe.”
The full Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of performance, investment and engagement activity, reflecting the PCC’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability and delivering for the people of Dorset.