Good afternoon, 

Earlier today, the Dorset Police and Crime Panel approved an increase in the policing precept for Dorset. 

Please see the latest release below for further details.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Dorset’s Police and Crime Panel have approved plans to increase the amount of money residents in the county pay for their policing service.

When residents receive their council tax bill for this year, they will be paying an extra £14 a year, or £1.17 a month, if they live in a band D property.

The agreement from the Panel to increase precept this year comes after an online survey was held with the public. In total, 1,966 people responded, and of those 76% agreed that Dorset Police requires additional funding, with 55% of the total respondents saying they would pay more.

The precept survey ran for more than 6 weeks, from December 17, 2024, to January 29, 2025. The survey was available online throughout this period, promoted via local media, Dorset Alert, the OPCC website, social media, face to face engagement events across the county as well as an online focus group event with members of the public.

Dorset Police and Crime Panel met on Wednesday at County Hall in Dorchester to discuss the increase before a majority approved the recommendation.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “I want to thank everyone who responded to this year’s survey and shared their thoughts on police funding and the precept.

“Asking the people of Dorset to contribute more towards policing our county is not something I take lightly. I share your frustrations and vow to continue the fight, lobbying government relentlessly for a fairer funding deal to ensure our county has the police force they need and deserve.

“Despite financial challenges, over the past year significant progress has been made in Dorset, which remains one of the safest counties in the country. My Police and Crime Plan continues to deliver for the people of Dorset. Crime is falling, positive outcomes are on the rise and anti-social behaviour is at its lowest level since 2007/08, thanks to hard work from Dorset Police officers, staff and volunteers.

“We want to go further; we want to do more to ensure Dorset is the safest place in the country but to do this we need more security and stability in our funding. We have big ambitions, but without a change in the outdated national funding formula taking into account seasonality and rurality, those ambitions cannot be achieved.

“While further difficult decisions will sadly have to be made this year to ensure a balanced budget, I want to reassure the public that we are dedicated to ensuring our communities remain protected. Dorset Police is making a positive difference and the Force will continue to fulfil my Police and Crime Plan, delivering on the commitments set by the people of Dorset, to make our county a safe place to be.”

Dorset Police Chief Constable Amanda Pearson added: “Today’s agreement of increasing the precept means we can look to the year ahead and plan how we will continue to provide an effective policing service to the communities of Dorset and deliver against the Police and Crime Plan, while making every penny count.

“It is important to recognise that Dorset Police is already a comparatively efficient service, with well-established local, regional and national collaborations. We are already lean and eking out further savings is becoming ever more challenging due to the efficiencies we have already achieved. To date these have included renegotiated contracts, innovative use of technology, extending life of equipment before replacement, additional income generation, and a reduction of 72 full time equivalent police staff posts under the current year savings schemes.  

“The financial situation of the Force remains extremely challenging, and despite this increase in precept, we will have to continue to make some very difficult decisions to ensure we deliver effective policing within budget.

“Dorset remains one of the safest areas in the country, and we remain committed to being tough on crime, relentlessly pursuing those criminals who cause the most harm to our communities, keeping people safe and putting victims first.”