DORSET’S Police and Crime Commissioner will be visiting towns throughout the county to get residents’ views on paying £1.25 per month to help with recruitment.

Martyn Underhill, Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, is launching a consultation into the prospect of this increase in the precept (the part of council tax for funding local police) to help with recruiting new officers.

As part of this, he will stop at various locations across Dorset, with members of his team and volunteers.

Stops will include the Tesco in Dorchester on January 8 from 3pm to 5pm, Asda in Weymouth on January 9 from 1pm to 2.30pm, Bridport, Morrisons, Thursday January 9 from 10am-12pm and Portland, Tesco, January 9 from 3.30-5pm

There will also be a webchat session for people who are unable to attend these stops on the roadshow, on January 13 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm - anyone who wants to ask a question can visit dorsetpccwebchat.com

Mr Underhill said: "It’s important I get as wide a range of views as possible and find out what the people of Dorset feel about these proposals. I’m asking everyone to take a couple of minutes to complete my survey online but we’re also going to be out and about to talk to people face to face." 

The consultation comes at a time when, Dorset Police’s annual settlement from central government has been delayed - a delay which has come about following last month’s general election.

Mr Underhill added: "Although this situation is far from ideal, it is essential I take a prudent approach and make sure the Force is able to deliver a balanced budget.

"While of course I welcome recent announcements of extra police officers, I need to make sure the Force can pay for them in the long term and that has also been taken into consideration.

"In order that the Force can not only maintain its levels of service, but also enhance it with new officers, additional funding is required and – although I would love to be surprised – I fear this will not come from central government when the settlements are announced."

Go to surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GXTCML5 to do the online survey.

The complete list of stops on the roadshow is as follows:

Christchurch, Waitrose, Monday January 6 from 9.30-11.30am

Bournemouth, Tesco Extra (Riverside), Monday January 6 from 12-2pm

Poole, Dolphin Centre, Monday January 6 from 3-5pm

Ferndown, Tesco, Tuesday January 7 from 12-2pm

Wimborne, Waitrose, Tuesday January 7 from 3-5pm

Blandford Forum, Tesco, Wednesday January 8 from 12-2pm

Dorchester, Tesco, Wednesday January 8 from 3-5pm

Bridport, Morrisons, Thursday January 9 from 10am-12pm

Weymouth, Asda, Thursday January 9 from 1-2.30pm

Portland, Tesco, Thursday January 9 from 3.30-5pm

Sherborne, Waitrose, Friday January 10 from 10am-12pm

Gillingham, Waitrose, Friday January 10 from 1-3pm

Swanage, Co-op, Monday January 13 from 10am-12pm

Wareham, Sainsbury’s, Monday January 13 from 1-3pm