The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset is again calling for urgent reform of the national police funding formula.
David Sidwick says Dorset continues to be one of the most poorly funded police forces in the country, despite its growing demand. Local taxpayers currently fund more than half the police budget in Dorset, compared to a national average of one quarter.
He warned that the Chief Constable needs an extra twelve million pounds to provide an adequate service, but instead is facing cuts of fifteen million. Mr Sidwick also says the current funding formula does not take into account Dorset’s large summer visitor numbers or the added costs of policing a mostly rural area.
He told the Policing Minister of his concerns earlier this month and is now preparing to raise them again with local MPs, supported by new data on the impact of early summer policing in the county.
Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, Councillor Alastair Keddie, said cross-party support is needed to push the case with ministers. Mr Sidwick is expected to press the Government again after Parliament’s summer break.