The new Government needs to value and celebrate police officers rather than “hanging them out to dry”, the Chair of Dorset Police Federation has said.

James Dimmack said the change in political leadership was an opportunity to celebrate the good work that officers do every day, which would also help make policing a more attractive career option.

He said: “It’s time for a new Government to start investing in policing, and when I say investing in policing, I mean both financially and also by backing us. Rather than hanging us out to dry, they need to value and promote what we do, and defend us when we are carrying out our duties in one of the most difficult jobs out there.

“I also urge our Government to stop using the police as a political soundbite. They need to celebrate what we do – that way, hopefully we can attract the right people to come and join us, and retain the officers who are already doing a fantastic job.”