Putting the victim first is top of the
list of the PCC's manifesto
commitments. Having fewer victims is the key outcome but it is
equally important to ensure care and support is given to those who
suffer crime and anti-social behaviour.
This priority also focuses activity to
reduce the risk of becoming a victim or offender faced by people
who repeatedly go missing from home or who are suffering from
mental ill-health issues. A large proportion of police time is
taken up in trying to ensure that such vulnerable people are safe
and more can be done in partnership to prevent high risk incidents
from occurring in the first place.
Detailed delivery plans have been
drawn up to describe the work involved to achieve lasting
reductions in the number of victims. Areas of highest priority are
dwelling burglary (which includes garden sheds), ‘personal’
anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.
Much progress has been made in
relation to ASB
but there is still work to be done to ensure that all agencies with
information about the vulnerability of people and the risks they
face share that information effectively.
What we will do
- A core role for the police that has a
direct impact on the number of victims is the effective resolution
of crimes. The PCC has pledged to
raise the proportion of all offences that are resolved to a third
over the course of this plan. This will be achieved through more
effective crime screening and improved investigation of solvable
crimes.
- We will establish a Victims Bureau to
ensure support is provided throughout the victim journey.
- We will improve the Dorset Police
website so that victims have ready access to the information they
need.
- We will work with partners to expand
‘early intervention’ from birth, enabling parents and children to
make positive choices and improve outcomes for children.
- Victims will be more involved in
deciding how offenders who commit crime and ASB are dealt with.
- We will build on the restorative
justice approach that has proven successful in Dorset in relation
to young offenders, extending it to adults and more serious
offences where appropriate.
- We will ensure that the offenders who
pose the highest risk of reoffending have the opportunity to be
mentored to support them away from a life of crime.
- We want to spread the success
achieved by Watch groups in some neighbourhoods across all of
Dorset especially groups such as Neighbourhood Watch, Community Speedwatch,
Shopwatch and Farm Watch.
- We will explore an ASB awareness scheme so that
offenders can be more informed about the impact of their
offending.
- We will offer support and
alternatives to street sex workers to help them change and enforce
the law on ‘kerb crawlers’.
What results are we seeking
to achieve?
- A reduction in recorded crime in
Dorset.
- All relevant agencies consistently
share information and contribute to lasting solutions to
problems.
- Improved victim satisfaction.
- Communities feel safer and are
involved in the work to maintain and enhance that safety.
- More offenders stopping or reducing
their offending.