Bournemouth, Crime | Posted on August 20th, 2025 | return to news

PCC defends police and Bournemouth against ‘Wild West’ clickbait tag

Whilst the Dorset PCC defends policing during the vast influx of holidaymakers in Bournemouth, he admits the Force is stretched without funding.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has released a statement following what he says are “irresponsible and inaccurate headlines” in the media, which have been “echoed and perpetuated by social media users trying to build a platform for their own means.”

He added: “They only want one thing — your clicks.

“These headlines and articles describing Bournemouth as ‘the Wild West’, are falsehoods,” he said. “Our town is not ‘plagued by a spate of murders, stabbings and sexual assaults’; this is a wilful misrepresentation to create harm and fear.”

He pointed out that this summer had been a particularly challenging time for Dorset Police, balancing the vast influx of day visitors and holidaymakers alongside daily policing demands.

“Our Force gets no extra funding for policing hundreds of thousands of extra people each year,” he stated. “There are no ‘spare’ police officers and staff to bring out for the summer season; it falls to under-pressure officers, staff and volunteers to stretch themselves even further to cover this significant demand.

“I have said it countless times and I will keep saying that it remains a travesty that Dorset is the second lowest funded Force in the country, dealing with this level of seasonality, and my lobbying and campaigning will not stop until Dorset Police are given more resources to support our hardworking officers, staff and volunteers, and alleviate the pressure, especially during these peak times.”

Sidwick explained that despite the ongoing challenging funding situation, Dorset Police have ensured extra police patrols in the busiest areas, bolstering visibility in hotspots and increasing their engagement with the public.

He said: “Targeted patrols in these crime hotspot areas, including in Bournemouth, have seen some terrific results, significantly reducing anti-social behaviour and violent crime. As well as policing high-profile protests over the past few weeks, Dorset Police have worked relentlessly to ensure those living and visiting the area could go about their days safely, enjoying the glorious weather and attractions the area has to offer.”

He detailed a number of operations that have been implemented in the area, including:

Op Track – focusing on anti-social behaviour and violent crime hotspots
Op Fireglow – focusing on youth hotspots including Central and Lower Gardens
Op Nightjar – keeping people calm and safe after dark
Op Vigilant – covert patrol flagging suspicious behaviour of potential predators to uniform police
Beach Beat

“All these police operations and more come under the banner of wanting everyone to enjoy a ‘Good Safe Summer’,” added Sidwick.

He said he felt the need to speak out about some of the grossly inaccurate and fearmongering headlines from the national media over the past few weeks.

In his statement, he said: “Let me be clear; I am under no illusion that Bournemouth, like many other towns across the country — seaside towns in particular — has seen significant changes over the years, increasing demand on policing and our partners.

“I know and recognise the concerns from residents and businesses about these ongoing issues and I want people to know that a huge amount of work has taken place to tackle these problems and will continue to be a top priority.”

When comparing statistics to 2021, he said: “Violent crime, sexual assaults, knife crime and anti-social behaviour are down in Bournemouth town centre. That is a fact. It may not fit the current narrative which describes these offences as ‘soaring’, it may not feel like it when you’re scrolling comments and posts on social media, but it is.

“I should also state that Dorset Police have been rated as ‘good’ by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services for recording crime, meaning our data is reliable. Wherever possible, we have pushed back at factual inaccuracies in the media but quite frankly, I fear the damage has been done.

“The issues in Bournemouth reflect issues seen in towns across the country – they are no different, except what happens in this town has been thrown under an intensely negative media spotlight. I fully accept there is still work to do to turn this around – and change people’s perceptions – and that will need further investment and resources, which I will continue to fight for.”

He sums up that Bournemouth continues to be a busy tourist town with a swell of visitors from spring to autumn bringing extra demand and added, “Dorset Police do not have unlimited resources – with savings still needing to be made should no further funding be forthcoming. However, dedicated Dorset Police teams have worked relentlessly over the past few months to ensure they are visible, engaged and ready to act where needed, demonstrating robust, effective and visible policing in the face of exceptional demand.”

He maintained: “Bournemouth is a safe place, and I am clear that our work, alongside that of our partners continues. We’re not naïve to what still must be done, and no-one is turning a blind eye; rather, as ever, Dorset Police officers, staff and volunteers are doing more and more with less to ensure you, the public stay safe.

“They are the men and women running towards danger, and they are the people ensuring justice is served for as many people as possible when the worst does happen. Bournemouth remains a safe place and Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country. If only that made a good headline.”

To read David Sidwick’s full statement, which also includes comment on misinformation about migrant hotels, go to https://www.dorset.pcc.police.uk/news-and-newsletters/dorset-pcc-news-blog/2025/08/pcc-statement-following-recent-media-coverage-about-bournemouth/