DORSET Police has launched a new way to make the public’s views heard and to help shape the county’s policing in the future.

Together with Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, the force is launching a series of in-depth features, events and activities lifting the lid on policing.

Entitled ‘Your Dorset. Your Police. Your View.’ the project will run for the next six months with different themes each month.

Activities during the first part of each month will provide information about that theme before people can share their views about what’s most important to them and how the police should be approaching challenges in that area of policing.

Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said: “On a typical day in Dorset, we respond to around 219 emergency calls, handle another 1,300 non-emergency calls, investigate 99 crimes and make 35 arrests. 

“However, this kind of visible activity is actually only a small part of what we do.

“At any one time, we will also be carrying out complex investigations into crimes such as child abuse, tackling serious organised criminality and working to keep the most vulnerable people in the county safe. 

“Policing demands have changed drastically over the last five years and it’s inevitable we will have to make further changes to how we police in the near future.”

Dorset PCC Martyn Underhill encouraged as many people as possible to take part in the project, so that they can help shape policing in Dorset for future generations.

He said: “This project is a huge opportunity for the voice of the public to be heard in shaping future policing. It is really important that we have this discussion. 

“We know that policing delivery doesn’t always match the public expectation or public perception, and this work will help us understand that more. 

“We also know that public views vary across the county, and we have a chance here to capture those different views. 

“This piece of work will also help the public better understand the challenges we face are facing and enable us to work together to identify which areas of policing to prioritise.”

Monthly themes will be:

  • August – Modernising to improve policing: Including how Dorset Police uses technology to keep officers on patrol
  •  September – Preventative and proactive policing: Tackling criminal gangs, managing offenders and reducing road deaths
  • October – Protecting you from risk and harm: A look behind-the-scenes at the work to protect the most vulnerable people in our county
  • November – Local policing in your area: Covering emergency response and neighbourhood policing 
  • December – Working smarter and closer with others: Including other local public organisations and voluntary groups 
  • January – analysing the feedback and the most important public priorities
  • February – Making your views matter: Discussing feedback and key public priorities

Visit yourview.dorset.police.uk for more information about the project.