Agenda item

To receive the Q4 Monitoring Report 2026/27

The Police and Crime Commissioner provided an update on progress against the priorities. He highlighted the continued success of the Relentless Community Fund, which had supported a further 11 projects, bringing the total to 53 projects across Dorset, and contributing to efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour.

 

The Commissioner welcomed proposed changes to crime and policing legislation, including measures relating to drug testing on arrest and vehicle seizure, although he emphasised the need for additional funding. He reported a 4% reduction in burglaries and highlighted work to tackle fraud, particularly scams targeting young, elderly and vulnerable people, including the introduction of call-blocking technology.

 

Dorset Police remained within the top quarter of forces for solved crime rates. Operation Shopkeeper was highlighted as achieving a 65% monthly solve rate, with one case progressing from offence to resolution within eight hours. While 999 call performance remained below the desired level, 101 triage times had reduced.

 

The Commissioner noted an increase in domestic abuse offences and recognised that further work was required. Activity relating to stalking, substance misuse and knife crime was also highlighted, including support for National Stalking Awareness Week, the Forget Ket campaign and increased referrals into treatment. Knife crime in Dorset had continued to fall.

 

Rural crime had also continued to decrease, with work undertaken to tackle fly-tipping, hare coursing and poaching. This included partnership working with neighbouring forces and the trialling of covert cameras in hotspot areas. The Commissioner had also responded to the consultation on banning trail hunting.

 

The number of victims receiving support and levels of victim satisfaction had increased. The Commissioner concluded by reiterating his commitment to seeking further funding for policing in Dorset.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority one – Cut Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour (02:06:50 on the recording).

• Can the PCC provide an update on how Op Relentless community grants have been awarded, the impacts for communities and how success is monitored? 
• It is positive to see that the KSI indicator has shown improvement having been reported as red for some time.  Can the PCC provide some clarity and context behind this improvement?
• Can the PCC provide some further information and background to the Call Blocker pilot 

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (02:07:17 on the recording) and at appendix 1.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority two – Make Policing More Visible and Connected (02:21:54 on the recording).

• It’s disappointing to see that the 101-answer time has slipped but appreciating that the triage time is positive. Could the PCC explain the factors behind this deterioration, and what he is doing to try and improve performance, within the current resourcing restraints? 
• Can the PCC give any early indications on the impacts that summer policing has had, and the impacts on neighbourhoods from abstraction  
• The monitoring report does not make any mention of Op Track high visibility patrols.  Can the PCC advise on current performance, how the data is used and what it is showing us? 
• Queried whether the app previously used as part of the Home Office project to track activity within specific areas was still in use and whether this data could be used to quantify activity within individual areas.
• It was acknowledged that hotspot patrols had continued; however, concerns were raised that their visibility within communities had reduced. The Commissioner was asked whether data was available to demonstrate to residents the level of hotspot patrol activity taking place.

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (02:23:03 on the recording) and at appendix 1.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority three – Fight Violent Crime and High Harm (02:44:00 on the recording).

• There have been several knife crime incidents recently that have been reported in the press, and it seems to be a continuing issue even if the overall numbers are low. I would like to understand what data is being kept and how this is being monitored 

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (02:44:30 on the recording) and at appendix 1.

 

In accordance with Procedural Rule 8.1 the committee voted to extend the duration of the meeting.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority four – Cut Fight Rural Crime (02:56:33 on the recording)

• What impact does the winter months and increased hours of darkness have on rural crime.  If this presents a higher risk, how does the PCC satisfy himself that there are appropriate preparation and response by the force?  
• Can the PCC provide some further information on what heritage watch, its level of engagement? Is the figure of 138 people; organisations etc) and its spread geographically? 
• The Commissioner was asked whether consideration was also given to protecting heritage within built-up areas, as well as rural communities.

 

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (02:57:04 on the recording) and at appendix 1.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority five – Put Victim and Communities First (03:04:38 on the recording).

• There seems to have been some debate nationally about early release from prison for certain types of offenders. I wondered if the PCC had held any meetings with relevant partners regarding this and whether this was having any impact on resources 
• Some neighbourhood policing areas are experiencing a high turnover of senior posts, such as inspectors.  What oversight does the PCC have, and how does he hold the CC to account?

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (03:05:42 on the recording) and at appendix 1.

 

Questions from the Priority leads and Panel Members for Priority six – Make Every Penny Count (03:16:16 on the recording).

• Can the PCC provide an update on the lobbying efforts to achieve a fairer funding deal for Dorset? 
• I note that in the Q1 report we seem to be around £1m adrift in terms of employment costs and I wondered what steps are being taken to address this 
• At the time of the precept, there remained some funding uncertainties. Can the PCC provide an update as to whether these uncertainties are now clearer, and the impacts on the financial position? 

 

Follow on panel questions and responses from PCC (03:16:41 on the recording) and at appendix 1.