Force welcomes ‘fair and constructive’ inspection report

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published its PEEL report on Thursday (April 10) following an inspection last year.

The report’s gradings found Dorset Police to be ‘good’ in two areas, ‘adequate’ in four and ‘requiring improvement’ in three.

Ms Pearson said: “Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country. This report is a fair and constructive assessment of the effective and impactful improvements the force continues to make.

“We have invested in reducing call times, strengthening investigations and making sure our service works for everyone in Dorset. I am pleased the report identifies those priorities and the work we are doing whilst also pointing out where we can improve.”

The inspectorate highlighted many areas of good work. They included the effectiveness of Dorset Police’s Safeguarding Hubs to keep vulnerable people safe, how the Force tackles anti-social behaviour, manages more frequent crime types and its strategic and financial planning. It also noted where the force is making sustained improvements: in call handling and response times, in investigations and in addressing disproportionality in the use of police powers.

Ms Pearson added: “I know that Dorset Police officers, staff and volunteers are fully committed to making Dorset a safe county for everyone. This inspection report is an endorsement that the force is on the right path with a focus on the right things to improve.”

Dorset police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Sidwick said: “This report offers a fair reflection of the improvements the force continue to make, while recognising some of the progress already achieved. It is important to make clear that since the time of the inspection and this report being published, improvements have continued in many areas rendering some of the data from the inspection period obsolete.

“Some of the Inspector’s findings mirror areas where I have also challenged the Force to improve, for example on call times. I am pleased that contact officers are now answering more than 94 per cent of 999 calls within ten seconds, on top of a 20 per cent increase in online crime reports, with 101 calls being answered in just over a minute. I know the force remains rightly focused on further improving this vital service to the public and I will continue to scrutinise this work very closely.

“I want to make clear that I take each area of improvement seriously and will continue to hold the chief constable and force to account on the public’s behalf to ensure these priorities are robustly gripped and positive changes are seen and felt by the public wherever possible.

“Alongside the areas which need addressing, I am pleased the inspection team has acknowledged many areas of good work from the force, particularly in communicating with our communities, reducing the harm caused by anti-social behaviour and preventing crime. I know the dedication and commitment put in by Dorset Police’s officers, staff and volunteers on a daily basis and it is important this is acknowledged.

“My aim is to ensure Dorset remains one of the safest counties in the country. While there is work to do, I am confident we are heading in the right direction and making the necessary changes where required. I reiterate my pledge to the public that I will continue to hold the force to account, to ensure everyone who lives, works and visits Dorset has the high level of service they expect – and deserve from their police force.”

The PCC also notes that while the report provides a valuable benchmark into the overall performance of Dorset Police, it does not consider the progress made against the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan and so while constructive, it should be seen within that limitation.