More Police needed in Rural West Dorset
Friday, February 4th, 2005Mark Oaten MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary joined Justine McGuinness, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for West Dorset, today in calling for more Police Officers for rural West Dorset. Speaking after meeting local police officers and “walking the beat” in Dorchester, Mark Oaten said:
“With the current security climate and problems with drinking in our towns and city centres, there are heavy demands on the police. However, that does not mean we can ignore policing in rural areas. The Liberal Democrats believe that extra provisions should be made available to rural forces, and would introduce an extra 700 policemen to the region.”
Justine McGuinness commented:
“I know the police officers locally work very hard, but I have heard so many horror stories about the long waits faced by local people who call the police. Clearly our police need more resources. Only the Liberal Democrats have set out plans for a minimum policing guarantee as part of an overall ‘Policing Contract’ between local police authorities and the communities they serve. It could stop the trend to cut back on police in rural areas and would be better for us here in West Dorset.”
In the last six months of 2004 there were about 8,000 crimes reported in West Dorset. Many of them will never be solved – across the country only one in four crimes is cleared up.
Ms McGuinness added:
“Current crime levels are far too high. It is all very well politicians in London having a shouting match over who is toughest on criminals, but that is not going to solve the epidemic levels of crime and detect crimes. We urgently need many more police visible in our communities here in West Dorset. It is highly visible policing that deters and catches criminals.”
The Dorchester section of Dorset’s Western Division has three Sergeants, 27 Constables, six Special Constables and two Police Community Support Officers to provide 24 hour policing cover for a mainly rural area in excess of 200 square miles.
The section is split four ways with officers designated as Community Beat Officers with a responsibility within each of the beat areas.
