Dorset Police is to receive increased government funding of up to £191.8 million for the next year, a cash increase of 6.5 per cent on the previous 12 months.
Ministers say the money can be spent on putting more police and community support officers (PCSOs) on the streets and in town centres.
It will be up to Dorset Police on how best to use the funding based on local needs and priorities with its plans due to be submitted to government in the early Spring.
The investment forms part of the government’s Safer Streets mission and Plan for Change which will put 13,000 additional officers, PCSOs and special constables into dedicated neighbourhood roles nationwide.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “This major investment marks a turning point for policing in this country.
“By doubling extra neighbourhood funding to £200m, we are giving forces across the country what they need to put more officers and PCSO’s where they’re needed most – on our streets and in our town centres.
“”Every neighbourhood deserves dedicated officers who know their patch, understand residents’ concerns and can tackle problems before they escalate.
“This investment, alongside new powers we are bringing into law, will help prevent crime and protect our communities, which is at the heart of our Plan for Change.
“Restoring local policing will not happen overnight, but this funding boost will get more officers into our town centres and rural areas.
“Through the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, officers will receive new powers including Respect Orders to help take back our town centres and high streets.
“Every neighbourhood will have a named, contactable officer who knows their patch.”
David Sidwick, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, said: “I very much welcome any additional funding that allows me to drive forward my commitment to the people of Dorset to make policing more ‘visible and connected’ to the people and communities it serves.
“The announcement from government recognises that policing is being asked to increase its neighbourhood policing numbers by 2029, and this funding is a start, however, the details of the funding, how it is to be used, its constraints and limitations, or how the uplift in numbers will be accomplished have not yet been made available to us.
“Dorset will continue to face challenges in the current financial climate and our budget remains firmly under pressure while the current police funding formula remains. I am gravely concerned that this additional funding will come to us under the auspices of a formula that is fundamentally flawed.
“Dorset receives the second lowest proportion of central government funding in England and Wales – which means we get a tiny percentage of what other forces across the country are given, with no heed paid to the seasonal strains on our budget that dealing with millions of visitors each year brings to the county.
“I have and I will continue to lobby for a change in the current funding formula and I would like to thank those local MPs who have raised this issue in Parliament, your support is very much appreciated.
“I continue in my crusade to fight for Dorset, to fight for better, to fight for a fairer funding formula for our police force, so I can fulfil the priorities I have set out in my Police and Crime Plan and make Dorset a safer place to be.”
- Picture: Dorset Police.