Dorset's Police and crime commissioner welcomes 'Beating Crime Plan'
Boris Johnson is promising to reduce crime, protect victims and make streets safer
Last updated 27th Jul 2021
Today, the Government launched their Beating Crime Plan to reduce crime, protect victims and make streets safer.
The measures build on progress to date toughening sentences to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars and the delivery of almost 9,000 of the 20,000 extra police officers promised by 2023 – one of the Prime Minister’s first commitments in office.
The plan will ensure the public is better protected across all parts of the country, with each neighbourhood having contactable, named police officers, who know their area and are best placed to ensure that persistent crime and anti-social behaviour is tackled.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick has welcomed the publication of the plan.
He told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset: “I am pleased to see the publication of the Beating Crime Plan and the various initiatives contained within.
“Over the past three years, Dorset’s communities have made it very clear to me that there is a need to tackle anti-social behaviour and push down crime, and these are areas that will be front and centre in my Police and Crime Plan for the county. It’s very reassuring to see that the Government has listened to the public and that they also share these priorities.
“I have said for a long time now that it is absolutely vital that the police are at the heart of the communities they serve, that local people know who their officers are and have a direct line of communication to them. I’m delighted to see that the Government’s plan recognises this and seeks to strengthen the role of our local neighbourhood teams.
“Ideas in the Beating Crime Plan, such as introducing alcohol tags and investing in specialist activities to divert young people away from violent crime, are also central to my thinking and will feature in my Plan for Dorset.
“I believe firmly that PCCs perform an essential role in not only holding their forces to account, but on working with them to ensure they are providing the best service possible. It is positive to see that this is recognised in today’s announcement and that the Government remains committed to the launch of the second part of the PCC review, which I hope will go on to provide PCCs with even greater ability to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour.
“That includes working with a much wider range of partners across the criminal justice system to tackle reoffending and to prevent many crimes taking place in the first place.
“We’ve already seen the police uplift, which will give us the officers we need to get the job done. Many of the announcements made today will provide more pieces of the jigsaw. I look forward to delivering on a Police and Crime Plan for Dorset based on the needs of the people of Dorset. This already incorporates many of these measures and will dovetail with this national plan to drive forward with the ambition of making Dorset the safest county.”