New PCC wants to make Dorset 'safest place to live' in the country
David Sidwick was elected Police and Crime Commissioner in May
Last updated 4th Oct 2021
Dorset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner says he wants to make the county the safest place to live in the country.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio about his vision for Dorset, David Sidwick said making Dorset safe is ‘not just about what happens in the future.
‘If I’m told that 9 year olds are acting out drunk behaviours in the playgrounds, then we’ve got to start talking and talking properly to primary schools and our very young residents in order to help them stay on a good path in life.’
He said one of the options available was making more visits to primary schools in order to intervene earlier and turn children away from a potential life of crime.
Now in charge of Dorset Police, Mr Sidwick added he wants to make sure 'every penny that we have goes to areas of the force which can make a difference'.
Plans for the county
Mr Sidwick became Police and Crime Commissioner after winning the most recent election in May 2021, on a turnout of 28%.
The Bournemouth businessman replaced independent Martyn Underhill, who had held the role since 2012 but decided against standing for re-election.
As the Conservative candidate, he had the backing of numerous politicians and public figures including Home Secretary Priti Patel, the county’s Tory MPs, and the PCCs from Essex, Sussex, and Devon and Cornwall.
During the election campaign he pledged to increase the number and visibility of police officers in neighbourhood teams, cut crime and anti-social behaviour, and better what he called ‘hidden harms’ – child abuse, domestic violence, hate crime, modern slavery, and cyber crime.
He also pledged to put victims and communities first by supporting volunteers such as Neighbourhoos Watch, Community Speedwatch, and increasing opportunities for the young with initiatives like Police Cadets.
He told Greatest Hits Radio that his plans for Dorset span across the generations.
‘For the elderly, I want to make certain that we have that piece right, around protecting them from fraud for example.
‘For the young, I’ve got this thing that I talk about which is called ‘Fix the Future’. We don’t have enough early intervention – we just don’t start early enough.’