In response to the recent article regarding the inflammatory comments about Bournemouth from a former London police officer, I would like to make crystal clear that we are not ‘run over’ with knife crime.

While of course the Force is doing all in its power to deal with these horrific offences, including targeted intervention, education and robust enforcement of the law, Dorset has one of the lowest rates of knife crime in the country.

Knife crime offences in Bournemouth specifically are down by 13% this year so far compared to 2022/2023 and for Bournemouth central by 25%.

The most serious violent crimes which include murder, attempted murder, and assault with injury, have also reduced by 24% in the central Bournemouth area compared with the same year-to-date period in both 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.

Serious sexual offences have also decreased by 10% in the year-to-date, compared with 2023/2024, and by 19% compared to 2022/2023 in the central Bournemouth area.

Dorset Police has completed 704 hours of extra patrols in Bournemouth town centre over the summer, increasing visibility and providing reassurance, thanks to extra funding from my Office, and patrols in hotspots will continue as part of the Home Office funded Operation Track.

There is a significant amount of work taking place to deal with the issues in our town and that work is making positive progress. While I understand the concerns from residents and business, I want to reassure them that we are listening, we have taken action, and that action is beginning to bear fruit as the figures listed above attest.

Alongside the issues the force are robustly dealing with, there is also a perception problem, and we are asking everyone to be mindful of that as we continue our work alongside partners and provide reassurance to the community.

I will continue to hold Dorset Police to account as the public’s voice in policing and I want to make clear that I am always willing to listen and work with those who are willing to join us in our mission to make our town safer; but inaccurate criticism will not help anyone – especially our community.

David Sidwick

Police and Crime Commissioner