Over the coming weeks Dorset Police is to publish plans on the relevant neighbourhood pages of its website –  www.dorset.police.uk – detailing its commitment to local people.

The Neighbourhood Engagement Commitment (NEC) initiative establishes minimum standards and common objectives that each neighbourhood policing team aims to achieve within their policing area.

The plans cover all areas of Dorset and have been developed by the respective local policing area commanders.

Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of everything we do and building trust and confidence with our local communities is vital in helping us to prevent crime, keep people safe, especially the most vulnerable members of our communities, and bring offenders to justice.

“These plans will ensure our service is delivered at a local level where partners and communities can see and feel an outstanding service.

“It is vital that our communities have a voice, especially after one of the most difficult years in recent times. The way in which we engage with our communities changed dramatically overnight due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, our face-to-face engagement was affected by the pandemic, but we have worked hard to find alternative ways to remain connected with the public, such as virtual calls and greater use of social media and Dorset Alert.”

David Sidwick, Dorset police and crime commissioner, said: “The return of community focused policing to the streets of Dorset is one of my main priorities and will be key to the police and crime plan I am now developing.

“I believe it’s vital that people should know who their local officers are and should be able to communicate with them, and residents have told me this is a concern they share.

“I therefore welcome this important pledge from Dorset Police, and I look forward to working closely with the Force over the coming months and years to build on the Neighbourhood Engagement Commitment and ensure our officers are as close as possible to the people they represent.”

To view the neighbourhood engagement plans, please visit: www.dorset.police.uk/NPT