Policing Reform and Rural Crime in the Spotlight at Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show

Last week, my team and I had a fantastic time at the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, speaking with residents about the Government's proposed changes to policing in England and Wales.

Plans include a review into reducing the number of police forces in England and Wales, alongside proposals for a new National Police Service bringing together a number of specialist policing functions currently delivered through various national and regional arrangements.

While the independent review is not currently seeking direct public feedback, I believe Dorset residents deserve the opportunity to have their voices heard. My concerns are simple: if funding is diverted from frontline policing to create new national structures, communities could see less investment in the services they rely on and fewer resources for initiatives that directly tackle crime.

There is no clear evidence that larger police forces deliver better outcomes, nor a published business case demonstrating that the significant costs of a National Police Service would benefit the public. I am concerned that reforms could weaken local accountability, reduce Dorset's influence over policing priorities and overlook local issues such as shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and rural crime. Fairer funding for local policing would do more for Dorset than structural change alone, and important questions remain about how these reforms would fit with wider local government reorganisation and future governance arrangements.

Although the final proposals remain unclear, it is vital that Dorset has a say in any changes that could affect local policing. We received a great deal of valuable feedback from residents at the show, and I am grateful to everyone who stopped to speak with us.

Beyond the consultation, the show itself was a real highlight. With livestock displays, bustling stalls and a brilliant community atmosphere, there was plenty to enjoy, even if the weather gave us a couple of surprise downpours.

One of my highlights was speaking at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) conference during the morning of the show, where I highlighted rural crime which remains a key priority. Since 2022, Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team has done some fantastic work, including recovering more than £2.8 million of stolen agricultural equipment, disrupting organised crime groups and preventing a large-scale hare coursing event.

Our rural communities are at the heart of Dorset's identity and economy. It is vital that those who live and work in these areas feel safe and supported, and until they do, our work is not done.

Whilst at the show, younger visitors also got involved at our keyring-colouring station, where the police dog designs proved especially popular. I'm told the standout names included police dogs "Boris" and "Doris."

My team was also on hand to answer any questions, discuss the proposals, and help residents share their views on what the changes could mean for policing in Dorset.

We'll be back at the Dorset County Show on 5 and 6 September and would love to hear from even more residents.

The public survey is now open and can be completed online here.

FAQs on police reform can be read here.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner