The panel was asked for their agreement to increase the precept – the part of a monthly council tax bill that funds policing – by the equivalent of £1.25 a month, based on an average band D household.

This follows a survey carried out by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in which two thirds of Dorset residents said they would be prepared to pay the increased amount.

Martyn Underhill, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Dorset, said, “I’d like to thank the panel for approving these plans but more importantly, I’d like to thank the county’s residents for their continued support, particularly during a time when I know many people are worried about their own finances.

“Dorset Police are on track to recruit their allocated number of new officers. This funding is excellent news for the force – it will mean they’ll be able to recruit over and above this target, deliver a balanced budget and invest in new technology.”

Dorset Police is now predicted to recruit an additional 64 new officers by the end of March as part of the government’s three-year uplift programme and plans to recruit further new officers in 2021/22.

The change will come into effect across the Dorset and BCP Council areas from 1 April 2021.