Dorset’s police and crime commissioner David Sidwick would like local people to put forward their views on a rise to the policing precept in the county, by completing a survey which can be accessed on https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DAPRE23.

He said: “Over the last year, policing in Dorset has gone from strength to strength – we are now the sixth safest county in England and Wales (up from 10th) dwelling burglary has gone down by 17%, non-dwelling burglary by 22%, ASB incidents have gone down by 10%, rural crime has reduced by 43% and rural engagement has increased by 33% – and I want all this good work to continue.

“Since becoming PCC, I have overseen investment in strengthening neighbourhood policing and the Force has initiated new ground-breaking policing operations such as Op Viper and Op Scorpion to tackle county lines and drug crime, invested in tackling ASB through Op Relentless and my Op Relentless Community Fund, and put vital resources into tackling rural crime.”

Mr Sidwick added that investment has also been made in several key areas of technology including new mobile technology, mobile fingerprint scanners and robotic process automation. This he said is dedicated to putting officers out in the community instead of behind a desk.

Mr Sidwick said: “Inflation is currently just under 11% and therefore a £15 precept rise equates to approximately half of the rate of that inflation. The increase should also allow the Force to over recruit by an additional 15 police officers.

“I want 2023 to be the year that Dorset becomes one of the top five safest counties. I want us to continue to cut crime and ASB even further, to drive out even more drug gangs from our county and to continue to make Dorset safer than ever before.”