‘Visible and accessible’: Bournemouth get more neighbourhood police officers
Dorset Police is bringing more officers to Townsend and Muscliff as part of a major investment in neighbourhood policing
Bournemouth is set to see an increase in neighbourhood police officers as part of a wider investment by Dorset Police aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and improving public confidence.
40 additional officers have joined neighbourhood policing teams across the county with a focus on visible frontline patrols, burglary investigations and addressing the issues residents say matter most in their communities.
Chief Superintendent Julie Howe described the move as a “significant investment” in local policing.
“We’re delighted to bring extra officers into neighbourhoods,” she said. “People across the county told us they wanted a more visible presence in towns and villages, and this uplift shows our commitment to fighting crime and making Dorset a safe county for everyone.”
The expansion follows two years of hotspot policing in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area, which police say has contributed to a 22% reduction in serious violence and a 24% fall in robbery.
Anti-social behaviour has also fallen by 10%, despite increased efforts encouraging residents to report incidents.
Funding for the additional officers has come through the government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which has enabled the force to recruit staff into CID, custody and contact management roles, freeing more officers for frontline duties.
David Sidwick said residents consistently tell him they want policing to be more visible and connected to communities.
“These additional officers will focus on the issues that matter most to local people,” he said. “Feeling safe where you live, work and spend your time is fundamental to quality of life and confidence in policing.”
The announcement has also been welcomed by Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes, who will see officers brought into areas like Townsend and Muscliff.
He told us: “We've had a problem where the town centre has taken a number of our officers, that leaves these areas short of the policing it needs.
“By having police who stay in their patch here, people won't just know who their local bobbies are, they'll be able to talk with them, build a relationship and feel safe.
“I want people to know that when crimes are committed, those crimes will be investigated and people who do wrong will be put into prison.”
Alongside the policing boost, BCP Council says it will continue delivering more than 13,000 hours of community safety patrols annually in hotspot areas, alongside targeted enforcement against anti-social behaviour.