Dorset PCC criticises no extra funding to police summer influx of tourists

Dorset Police and Crime commissioner David Sidwick says there is no additional summer funding despite the seasonal tourist influx.

Funding for Dorset Police is insufficient to meet seasonal demand according to senior figures in the organisation.

They say Bournemouth can welcome an additional 250,000 visitors per day during the summer.

The temporary population increase brings additional challenges, which stretches current resources.

Dorset Police and Crime commissioner David Sidwick says this can lead to officers working longer hours:

“So the population swells significantly, and whilst many of those tourists are absolutely wonderful and we want them to come here to have a good time, we have to be realistic in that can bring some extra policing challenges.

We don't get any extra funding in order to police a huge influx of tourists, so that does mean that does it please we're working 12 hours a day.”

BCP Local Area Commander Heather Dixey echoes those feelings:

“We have grown exponentially as an area, and I don't believe that the funding for Dorset Police is reflected in that, so we have to respond within the resources we have all the year round and there's no seasonal variation.”

Despite those challenges, Dorset Police are taking steps to reduce crime in Bournemouth town centre.

This follows recent concerns about safety for women and children in the area with MP Jessica Toale recently hosting a discussion about the issue.

PCC Sidwick insists that Dorset remains one of the safest counties in country, but assures the public that steps are being taken to make improvements:

“I’ve been talking to the local partners and there are plans for upgrading CCTV in parts of Bournemouth this summer, particularly around the beach area.”

Commander Dixie added further details of the policing plans ahead of the summer:

“We have our night-time economy patrols, we have safe spaces.

We put plain clothes officers into high footfall areas, at night-time establishments, and onto the beach.

This means we can identify any poor or inappropriate behaviour before it happens.

Crimes against women is a real key priority for us on bringing that down.”

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