MP challenges Minister on Police Funding in Dorset

2.53.00pm GMT Thu 5th Feb 2009

Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, speaking yesterday in the House of Commons at a debate on the matter of Police funding pointed out that Dorset police were predicting the loss of 43 police officers as a consequence of this year's financial settlement.

She went on to raise one of the problems with the current grant formula - Dorset Police are under funded to deal with the policing of hotspots such as Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth.

Whilst funding is granted using a variety of measures, one of the keys elements is a formula which distributes resources based on the density of licensed premises in the Force area. In Dorset this funding becomes distorted due to the high level of licensed drinking spaces in Bournemouth, Poole and Weymouth, compared with large expanses of rural area in the rest of the county, so the resulting average for the whole area is not reflecting the police requirements for the hot spots.

Commenting, Annette said - 'It is of the utmost importance that we secure sufficient funding for Dorset Police Authority, and I am pleased to say that my request for a meeting with the Minister, Dorset MP's and Dorset Police has been agreed. Our police force do an excellent job but over the past six years the Authority has been the lowest or second to lowest funded Police Authority in the country and there is a limit to how many more efficiency savings can be made'