4 January 2022

Dorset Police Federation: Significant investment is required to balance the neglect of investment in Policing

Policing in England and Wales is to receive up to £1.1 billion extra to cut crime in 2022/23, according to the Government.

But all is not what it seems, according to James Dimmack, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, as the Government neglects to mention here https://www.gov.uk/government/news/policing-to-receive-up-to-11-billion-extra-to-cut-crime that the “extra” money doesn’t cover the billions cut from policing during austerity.

“It is blatantly obvious that significant investment is required to balance the neglect of investment in Policing,” said James.

“This amount goes a small way to doing this however significantly more is required to address the chasm left by 18% of cuts undertaken between 2010 and 2015. Much talk is made of the “uplift” in police officers, which is of course welcomed. The reality is though this is backfilling the numbers culled and also those officers leaving the police service.

“The repairing of Police numbers requires ongoing commitment above and beyond what has already been pledged. Within Dorset we are working hard to counter the challenges presented by Covid several times over.

“This is exacerbated by COP-26 and the G8 Summit. Our officers have performed admirably to provide a magnificent level of service in unprecedented times. I notice that the budget assumes the PCC will impose a £10 precept rise.

“This rise in the precept should not be assumed. It should be within the gift of the PCC to apply as required to support Dorset Police above and beyond not simply to cover the government shortfall. In any case I can say that thankfully the age old adage of Policing that we will make it work is still alive and kicking. It is to the immense credit of all those within Dorset Police that this attitude endures and I am proud of how we rise to the challenge every day.”