This newsletter is the second part of my look at the new Crime and Policing Bill, which was introduced last week, and how it correlates to the work already taking place in Dorset. Today’s focus is on Violence Against Women and Girls and child criminal exploitation, both highly important subjects, dealing with vulnerability and safeguarding.

Read the first part of the newsletter here if you missed it: Crime and Policing Bill: what's already happening in Dorset - part one 

Violence Against Women and Girls

What the bill includes:

- Allowing more Stalking Protection Orders to be made

- Victims of stalking given the right to know the identity of their perpetrator.

- Guidance issued to agencies on combatting stalking

Without question, tackling Violence Against Women and Girls is vital. In Dorset, a substantial amount of work is taking place to ensure our county is a safe place to be, and I am dedicated to working with not just Dorset Police and our key partners, but any group that wants to help improve this.

As part of my role in scrutinising the work of Dorset Police, I have set-up a VAWG Scrutiny Panel which reviews the handling of public contact relating to VAWG cases such as rape, stalking and domestic abuse to ensure these reports are being handled appropriately. This is alongside RASSO scrutiny panels to ensure investigation standards and victim service is maintained, and I have also commissioned vital victim services including Victim Support, The Shores – Dorset Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), and STARS Dorset to ensure high quality care for all victims of these distressing crimes. 

My Office also brought in two years of Safer Streets funding for local authorities to fund further schemes dedicated to tackling VAWG through prevention and education. Our work will continue relentlessly, working with partners and the public to make it safer for women and girls. We need a wholesale change across society to tackle the deep issues which lead to so many men committing crimes against women but through the work we are already doing and have planned, I have confidence we can make many in-roads into getting to the root of this behaviour.

Child criminal exploitation and cuckooing

What the bill includes:

- New standalone offence to prosecute adults committing child criminal exploitation.

- New criminal offence to tackle cuckooing – a practice where criminals take control of the home of another person to use for criminal activity.

Solving crime is not just about robust enforcement, it’s about protecting vulnerable people. Alongside the vital work Dorset Police carries out with partners to safeguard vulnerable people, I support services to provide vital education on issues such as child criminal exploitation. Through this work, I have learnt how devastating this can be, not just for the victim themselves, but for their families and those who know them.

In Dorset, under the Police and Crime Plan priority to Fight Violent Crime and High Harm, my Office works closely with Escapeline, an important charity who help children to stay safe by educating them about how child exploitation and grooming happens, while also teaching them protective strategies. While robust enforcement for perpetrators is vital, I would urge the Government to look further at funding more education and prevention in this area as well as drug education. I know from my work with Escapeline that once a young person gets pulled in by these criminal gangs, often linked to county lines, it is very difficult to get them out. This is why education is so vital and could make a crucial difference in preventing some of our young people being harmed by these criminal networks. 

Alongside Dorset Police, I will continue to work with experts and professionals, as well as our partners here and across the south west to tackle these offences. We will not tolerate those intent on bringing harm to our communities and exploiting our vulnerable citizens.

- You can find out more here: Knowing the signs of child criminal exploitation 

___________________________________

While I welcome new measures to protect vulnerable people in our communities, I am disappointed this Bill does little to address the dangers illegal drugs inflict on our communities; it is a clear missed opportunity. Within the Crime and Policing Bill, there is just one measure directly linked to illegal drugs, and that is to expand police powers for drug testing on arrest. While I am by no means opposed to this measure – it is welcome – much more is needed to tackle the challenges we face. This is not just in the conversations and legislation required from those in power, but in the resources needed to effectively deal with all the problems illegal drugs cause. Without properly addressing this issue, progress could be limited on other offences we know are linked to illegal drugs including knife crime, shoplifting and theft. 

It is time for the government to get serious about dealing with illegal drugs in our society. Without much-needed honest conversations about what is required, coupled with real investment for prevention and policing, then all other measures will only go so far. A start has been made with last year’s law change on Nitrous Oxide, and on the ongoing review to make ketamine a Class A substance, but the dangers of other illegal gateway drugs remain clear and present in my opinion, and this is where we need to start if we are to protect our communities now and in the future. 

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner