Budget pressures lead to nearly 80 Dorset Police staff losing jobs
Dorset's PCC is calling for better Government funding for the force
Nearly 80 people have been made redundant at Dorset Police following what the PCC has called "discrepancies in force funding across the country".
Budgetary pressures and significant savings needing to be made have been listed as key reasons for the job losses.
The Police & Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, told us high levels of inflation, pay rises, and strict rules on officer numbers have forced Dorset Police to make “difficult decisions”.
He says he’s “relentlessly lobbying” government for more funding as Dorset receives the second lowest amount of central government funding in England and Wales.
Here's the PCC's statement in full:
“As I made clear at the beginning of this year, Dorset Police faces ongoing budgetary pressures and significant savings need to be identified. High levels of inflation and nationally imposed pay rises, alongside strict rules on police officer numbers, are just a few of the pressures being faced.
“Since I became your Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021, I have been relentless in lobbying for a fairer funding deal for Dorset. Funding for police forces consists of a national grant from government and the police precept, which is the element raised through local council tax.
"However, currently, Dorset residents contribute 52% towards the Force’s funding through their council tax, whereas the average in England and Wales is around 35% and in some cases as low as 20%. We receive the second lowest amount of central government funding in England and Wales, with the current formula making no account of the huge influx of tourists to Dorset, nor the rurality of much of our county.
“The unfairness of the outdated funding model is widely recognised and policing bodies continue to actively campaign and raise awareness of this issue. Disappointingly, there remains little clarity on the timing of plans to review the National Police Funding Formula and, as such, difficult decisions need to be made to balance the Force’s budget.
“It is incredibly frustrating to see the discrepancies in force funding across the country. I will continue to do everything I can to lobby for a funding formula which is fit for purpose and to get Dorset a fair deal. I have urged Dorset’s MPs to help me do the same, not just for all those in the Force who I thank for their dedication and hard work, but for all the people of Dorset.
“I want to be clear; despite these pressures, Dorset Police will continue to deliver for everyone in Dorset, and I will hold the Chief Constable accountable on behalf of the public to ensure the priorities of the Police and Crime Plan continue to make progress.”