More than 1,300 people have responded to a Dorset consultation on possible police reforms, with local policing, visibility and accountability among the main issues raised by residents and organisations. More than 1,300 people have responded to a Dorset survey on proposed police reforms. Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick published the findings today after a consultation which asked residents, businesses and community groups about proposals that could merge police forces into larger regional organisations. The survey received 1,302 responses, with 51% saying they had not know
More than 1,300 people have responded to a Dorset survey on proposed police reforms.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick published the findings today after a consultation which asked residents, businesses and community groups about proposals that could merge police forces into larger regional organisations.
The survey received 1,302 responses, with 51% saying they had not known about the reforms beforehand, while 55% opposed force mergers, 17% supported them and 28% were unsure about the proposal.
Local policing was the main concern, with 83% citing local priorities, 70% mentioning officers’ knowledge of local areas and 68% raising visibility, although residents also identified possible benefits in tackling complex crime.
Mr Sidwick thanked participants and said Dorset’s voice “must be heard”, adding that reform should be judged on whether it would “improve policing outcomes” and strengthen neighbourhood policing for communities.
Free text responses raised worries that rural counties could receive lower priority in a regional structure, alongside questions about accountability, governance and investment in frontline policing for communities across Dorset.
He said the findings would be fed into national discussions and that he would continue to press for strong local policing, fair funding and local accountability for Dorset in future national debates.
