I have spent the first few weeks of my campaign getting out and about to meet as many Dorset residents as possible. It has been a real pleasure to speak to so many people.
And your messages to me are loud and clear. What I have heard from you resonates completely with my campaign pillars:
- You want to see more police in your neighbourhoods – whether town centres or rural villages, people have consistently told me they simply do not see the police enough, or that they do not get a satisfactory response when a crime is reported.
- You are concerned about the kinds of crimes that predominantly affect women and girls – you’ve shared your personal stories with me and consistently expressed your frustration that perpetrators of these crimes are not being prosecuted.
- You have told me time and time again about antisocial behaviour in your neighbourhoods and you all agree that young people need greater intervention to prevent them being involved in crime.
There is one, consistent message that I have heard repeatedly that will determine my very first actions when elected to office. You want to be heard, taken seriously, and responded to when you raise a concern.
This is the one thing I have heard more than anything. People want comprehensive responses to their complaints and feedback. You want easy ways to contact the police and know that, when you do, you will be listened to. And you want to know what is happening, even if it is to explain why nothing is happening.
This requires cultural change. And that needs to come from the top. I want to create a new kind of relationship between the police and the public. One where the public are involved, listened to, and taken seriously.
So, this will be my starting point. It is what the residents of Dorset deserve.
