FAQs | David Sidwick

Q: What do you think about the 6.2% Precept Rise/Funding?

A: I can quite understand the question about the 6.2% as we had no explanation of where it is going. Let me be clear about my philosophy on this. The precept is not a god given right and needs to be justified both looking forward as to “This is what I need it for” and looking backwards ie “This is what was delivered”. You currently do not get that and if it is me after May 6th, I will ensure that you do.

Additionally, I have already lobbied the Prime Minister face to face on the need to address the funding formula, so we get a greater percentage from central government. I shall continue to do so until that is addressed and I am optimistic that we can do that in the next three years.

Q: Crimefighters – Why have you said you want the Police to be Crimefighters again?

A: The crimefighters line is deliberate and provocative. It was actually something said to me in conversation with a police officer when I asked them what they wanted from a PCC. It addresses for me the issues of having to police our civil liberties in the pandemic, the different roles and level of administration that they have to do and also the fact that the priorities have not been as robust or focused on cutting crime as other forces that are higher performing.

Q: Cutting Crime – How will you do it?

A: To cut crime we need to do the following things:

a/ Change the priorities of Dorset Police so to cut crime and anti-social behaviour is top of the list.

b/ Ensure that we increase front-line policing in the neighbourhood policing teams and the rural crime team

c/ Increase the visibility and community focus of our neighbourhood policing teams

d/ Tackle the causes of crime through programmes addressing early intervention for our young people and effective rehabilitation for those with addiction issues.

e/ Create specialist teams to support the NPT with areas of concern on ASB, Domestic violence and burglary

f/ Focus on cutting reoffending with those who cause the majority of the problems.

This will be measured by the rate of crime but also via surveys and my own engagement as it means nothing if you the people of Dorset do not feel the benefit and feel safer.

Q: Foxhunting and Wildlife Crime – What is your stance on this?

A: Hunting and killing mammals is unlawful under the 2004 Hunting Act.

So foxhunting, hare coursing, badger baiting and poaching are all illegal. As PCC I will be asking the Chief Constable to ensure that all laws are upheld including this one.

I will be increasing both the rural crime team and the neighbourhood policing team. I will also be ensuring that they have increased resources to address rural and wildlife crime.

Q: Independence of the Police Force

A: Something I believe in very strongly is the impartiality of the police force. It is a vital part of the PCC role to understand that.

Indeed I have written about it see the link below:-

https://www.conservativehome.com/.../david-sidwick-police...

Let's break this down:-

1. Sir Robert Peel (Conservative) set up the Police to be impartial as shown in their oath and the Peelian Principle No 5.

To seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws, by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing, by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humour, and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life.

2. The operational independence of the police was outlined in the Policing Protocol Order of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/2744/made

3. PCCs were created in 2012 and on the first day take a similar oath to a police officer. Their oath is as meaningful and binding as a police officers. It's purpose is: The oath is designed to provide a platform for PCCs to set out publicly their commitment to tackling their new role with integrity. It will also echo the commitment police officers make to serve every member of the public impartially, while at the same time recognising the importance of the operational independence of the police service.

4. I have no party whip. See letter below:-

Dear David,

You ask if there is a Conservative Party Whip operating over Police & Crime Commissioners who are members of the Party and our Group.

There is no Whip. The Group is mutually supportive of policy development over issues which are common to all or many Policing Areas, and we share Conservative values. The PCC is however directly accountable to their local electorate and must rightly make their decisions in the interests of their residents.

Regards,

Roger

Roger Hirst

Leader, Conservative Group of Police & Crime Commissioners

Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner for Essex

Q: Rural Crime – Do you believe it is important and how will you address it?

A: Rural crime is of great concern to me.

I intend to do the following:

a/ Significantly increase the rural crime team and neighbourhood policing team in rural areas

b/ Ensure that they are adequately resourced

c/ Re-introduce the concept of parish constables

d/ Seek to recruit rural special constables

e/ Strengthen neighbourhood watches

f/ Introduce the Dorset Rangers a mounted neighbourhood watch for those places hard to reach in the rural countryside

g/ Increase awareness of the need to report and make it easier to do so.

These are the top-line measures. I intend to throw a blanket of protection across our rural communities called Country Watch which is a risk based analysis which then drives appropriate interventions – only some of which are shown above.

Q: Why should anyone vote for you?

A: Let me address this under three headings - Skills, Commitment and Connections.

Skills - The job of the PCC is about representing the people and using skills of leadership, strategy, resource allocation and communication. I was a senior executive in the pharmaceutical industry which appreciates exactly those skills. I have an MBA with distinction and received a global leadership award. I have since been the managing director and chairman for a number of companies. I understand governance which the PCC role is through my work as a Director of an academy and Chair of Governors. I have operated at a senior level in large organisations with large budgets but also built my own successful business over 18 years so I understand achieving lots with very little too. This experiences are directly applicable to the role.

Commitment - In March 2018 I closed my company to full-time campaign and prepare for the goal of being PCC. There is no training course and whilst most learn on the job I wanted to prepare as well as I could so I could hit the ground running. To be the Conservative candidate I knew I would have to have 20 initial interviews, a panel interview with other PCCs, a written exam and then to campaign and gain the majority of votes in a Town Hall meeting. I spent the year before that starting to campaign but also going to see other PCCs and their forces as well analysing all 43 forces to assess the linkage between their police and crime plans and their delivery of effective policing. Then for the last two years I have full-time campaigned across Dorset as well as having numerous interviews with individuals and organisations to prepare for the role.

Connections - For three years (two as Conservative candidate) I have built connections not only within Dorset but at a national level. I have lobbied the Prime Minister twice to get a better deal for Dorset and also about ensuring a robust drugs policy. I have the enthusiastic support of the Home Secretary and have also lobbied the Justice Secretary on sentencing. I have discussed county lines and stalking with the policing and safeguarding ministers and with the latter I set up a meeting with a victim of stalking to push for more support for victims. I have the support of MPs and the council leaders as well as numerous councillors across Dorset and BCP. I have also met with numerous charities to understand the needs of the vulnerable across Dorset. For the last two years I have also met with individual police officers and departments from the neighbourhood policing teams to the Chief Constable - these interviews have been in depth and I have been out on patrol with both the NPT and response teams. This includes numerous discussions with the Chief and Deputy Chief Constables over the two years to understand their issues. This has given me a broad spread of understanding of the Police Force that serves the people of Dorset.

But most importantly was meeting with residents and groups including Watchs.

It is the residents and businesses of Dorset who I seek to represent and it is them who I have spent most time with.

In summary I have the skills, the passion and commitment for the people of Dorset and also and

critically more than any other candidate have the connections to make a difference.

Q: What are your priorities for the first 90 – 100 days?

A: These will mirror the priorities in my campaign and start moving to address them. Having spent a significant time researching I believe I can hit the ground running:-

TO CUT CRIME AND ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

This will be the number one priority for the police to provide a robust focus to cut violent crime, rural crime and the constant grind of ASB - so people across Dorset see a clear difference and feel safer.

90 days -

Initial Meetings with senior police leaders to emphasise direction of travel - measurement by seeing results with enforcement
Virtual conference with primary school leaders to discuss keeping the young safe and also building respect for themselves, institutions and the community - measurement - action plan
Regular meetings in place with Dorset and BCP council and police to drive better co-partner working particularly around issues of ASB. - measurement is productive action steps from each meeting - vital as we hit the Summer months

TO MAKE POLICING MORE VISIBLE TO PREVENT CRIME

To increase the number and visibility of police officers in our neighbourhood teams so police again fulfil a prevention role and the people and businesses across Dorset experience less crime. Contact will be improved so people know their police, see them around and can contact them easily when needed.

90 days -

Initial meeting with Chief Constable to address how we can get more front-line in addition to the uplift - measurement - action plan showing direction
Review of 101 / 999 resource in depth, push Single On-line Home capability and examine use of Apps to more closely link to NPT after initial reporting - measurement - improved communication statistics
Production of action plan with NPTs to increase connection and visibility in communities with residents and businesses. Measurement - plan in place.

TO FIGHT ORGANISED AND VIOLENT CRIME

To tackle organised gangs, be tough on drugs and the violence around drugs and to tackle “hidden harms” such as child abuse, domestic violence, hate crime, modern slavery and cyber crime.

90 days -

Meeting to discuss and initiate crackdown on drugs - measurement - enforcement success
Rehabilitation and addiction charity meetings to identify what is working what isn't and how to fix it - measurement - action plan for success
Meeting with Acts Fast - child abuse charity to discuss ways of increasing their awareness to provide victim support
Meeting with Domestic abuse charities and victims to discuss 15 point plan to reduce offending and increase victim support - implementation there of
Meeting to initiate 200 extra volunteers to visit the elderly and help prevent fraud and scamming - measurement by success in delivery by 90 days

TO FIGHT RURAL CRIME

To significantly increase the rural crime team and their capabilities and to have specific strategies to address burglary, anti-social behaviour and farm theft in the rural community.

90 days -

Meeting with Chief Constable to initiate increase in rural crime team , ensure geographic ownership and increase rural specials Meetings to scope Country Watch with relevant parties including leaders of Watches, NFU, police and other interested parties - measurement is production of plans and timelines for delivery.
Meeting to discuss increasing burglary prevention - agreement in principle to increase awareness with business sector plus Watch involvement - measured by action plan

TO PUT VICTIMS AND COMMUNITIES FIRST

Support all victims - particularly the elderly and vulnerable - and build community strength by working together with councils and agencies - supporting volunteers such as Neighbourhood Watch, Community Speedwatch, and increasing opportunities for the young with initiatives like Police Cadets.

90 days -

Meeting with Watches to discuss publicity campaigns to increase recruitment - measurement by action plans - campaign to start September as nights draw in
Establishment of Youth Crime Prevention Panel - using youngsters across Dorset from Youth Parliament to those from areas of deprivation to assess projects to distract youngsters away from ASB and criminality.
Meeting to scope next roll-out of police cadets including concept of mini cadets in primary schools.

TO MAKE EVERY PENNY COUNT FOR DORSET

To resource and transform the front-line and reduce administration so patrol and response teams can spend more time out on the beat - Engaging with our communities, gathering intelligence and making residents feel safer on our streets.

90 Days -

Full review of financial status of both force and OPCC against priorities to find areas of resource
Initiation of project to find areas of efficiency in front-line policing to give more time to crime fighting.

Q: What is your view of Neighbourhood Watch and the watches in Dorset – Do you feel they strengthen communities?

A: Yes I absolutely do. Here is a summary of my interactions. I have met with both the Chair and President of the Association of Dorset Watches to discuss their view of crime prevention. I have supported residents and attended a significant number of Neighbourhood Watch meetings. I have met with and attended meetings of both the North Bournemouth and East Dorset Crime Prevention Panels. In fact I have been asked to regularly attend the NBCPP.

Other watch groups such as Pub Watch, Farm Watch etc I have also met with. I have met with the chair of Hotel Watch and also attended meetings to understand the issues there.

Speeding issues are of concern to our community and I have met with the chair of Community Speed Watch and seen its good work on a number of occasions in action. Finally I have also been out on the water with and discussed issues with Harbour Watch. Finally I have also spoken with a senior member of Neighbourhood Watch nationally specifically on the work that is being done to strengthen communities by early intervention in schools.

This has given me a great background of understanding regarding Watches and the great work that they do. It has been shown that Neighbourhood Watch for example has reduced crime by on average 26%. I believe completely in the ability of Watches to help strengthen their communities.

I intend to do the following if elected:-

Publicise and support the work of Watches with both data and local case studies to show their effectiveness and increase recruitment
Increase and strengthen the relationship between Watches and Dorset Police so we improve intelligence sharing and crime prevention
Ensure resource so we can pro-actively target areas and increase Watches where they are needed
Bring forward the concept of Country Watch a risk based assessment linking closely both current watches, police and councils in our rural community to drive prevention - this will include new concepts - the Dorset Rangers - mounted volunteers keeping their eye on areas of countryside that are hard to reach

Q: What will you do about Pet Theft?

A: I am the only candidate I believe to take this issue seriously. I have campaigned on this for a number of weeks and twice have been in meetings with the Home Secretary and raised it. She has said she will create a Dognapping Taskforce to address the organised crime aspects of this.

If you scroll back through my Facebook posts you will see that I have spoken about it on a number of occasions. Here is a link to my website and you can find my intent under the Campaign section. https://www.sidwick4dorset.org.uk/campaigns/harsher-penalties-pet-theft

Our endeavours as a Conservative Group of PCCs has ensured this is on the agenda at the highest level and the PM has agreed that more should be done.

If elected what I will do locally is this:

We need better data from police forces that specifically records pet theft going forwards, rather than just ‘property’ theft, so that we can establish the true scale of the problem. This will take time to implement, so we will also conduct a public survey to identify how much pet theft has already taken place.
More police resources should be deployed to catch the organised gangs targeting our pets, and the 20,000 national uplift in police officers and some of which are going to the Regional Organised Crime Units should empower Chief Constables.
This crime should be considered as a priority within our Regional Organised Crime Units.
We need to improve public awareness of how to reduce their pet’s vulnerability to criminals.
Working with our local MPs, we will seek a change in sentencing guidelines to ensure our judicial system recognises the emotional and social value of our pets, so that tougher sentences can be applied in our courts. If that approach does not produce tougher sentences for pet theft, it may then be necessary to change the law.
I will institute a Paws Watch scheme – effectively a neighbourhood watch scheme amongst breeders and dog walkers.

Q: What will you do about violence against women, stalking and domestic violence?

I think the easiest way is if I talk about this from a personal perspective. I’ll then speak specifically to the issues of violence against women that you raise.

So I have a close family experience of domestic abuse including coercion and control, gaslighting and violence. This manifested itself in phone calls to work to check somebody was actually at work. Tight fiscal control of the household money. Timed shopping trips and interrogations on return. Intense jealousy and interrogations of friends. Heavy drinking, physical violence and threats. Following the break up of the relationship there were threats of violence (acid in face) to ensure a better divorce settlement and stalking up to two years after the divorce.

This was a 23 year relationship and the conditioning lasts to this day.

I have a low tolerance for violence against women. During the three years that I have been full-time campaigning to get the PCC role, I have made sure that I understand the main charities’ view on domestic violence and stalking. I also helped significantly a young lady that was stalked for two years – in fact I have supported her for two years including meeting with Katy Bourne PCC for Sussex and someone who is forcing stalking up the police agenda. Coincidentally I have a meeting with this lady and the Minister for Safeguarding Vicki Atkins to push for a stalking register. I would humbly suggest that I have shown my intent by actually doing something concrete rather than just rolling up for the election.

But you want to know what I will do if elected:-

1/ I will call a meeting with groups such as yourself and charities involved in this area to identify the gaps in legislation around violence against women and help drive for change. My close governmental connections both national and local will help us achieve change.

2/ Domestic abuse – I will seek funding for a High Harms Intervention Team for regular offenders which will comprise the police, mental health nurse and drug and alcohol addiction support. This should have been part of the ambition that resulted in the DRIVE project but for whatever reason it was not achieved. (Dorset received £90k – Sussex £401k).

3/ Domestic abuse – Now that the victims code is being upgraded to allow victim to choose the sex of their interviewer, I would like to go a step further. I would like to have DA cars available at weekends when DA spikes which have trained support workers able to take statements sensitively to support the police and be more empathetic for victims.

4/ Domestic Abuse – Increase victim support with an awareness campaign on the back of cubicle doors in women’s toilets linked to the Ask Ani system in pharmacy, introduce a discrete reporting app for those at risk, have a supply of emergency getaway bags for those needing to escape relationships but unsure how.

5/ Domestic Abuse – Introduce bi- lateral and individual tagging for monitoring of repeat offenders and victims as required. Note bi-lateral tagging is at victim request only.

6/ Support research into the long term effect of coercive conditioning on future relationships.

7/ Stalking – another stalking advisor as part of victim support – currently there is only one in Dorset.

8/ Stalking – continue to fight for a stalking register

9/ Violence against women – I will look to introduce the equivalent of Operation Vigilant (Thames Valley Police) that has been shown to cut rape and sexual assaults by using officers embedded in the night-time economy

10/ We need to fix the future with an early intervention programme in primary schools to teach respect for every one particularly women. In secondary schools we spend time highlighting the issues and explaining that respect has to be at the core of our interactions.

11/ Police Interactions – I want better training for Dorset Police on domestic abuse including time spent in a refuge understanding the victim experience.

12/ I want them to have a better understanding of the embarrassment and humiliation that can be a real barrier to achieving justice for rape victims.

13/ I will ensure that the HMIC report on Sussex Police and recommendations for improvement of stalking handling is used as a template for Dorset Police to improve their handling of stalking incidences.

14/ I will be intolerant of misogyny wherever it may occur within either the force or OPCC.

Q: What is your view on the licensing of firearms in Dorset?

A: Please have a look at my FB page – scroll down and you will see that I am all over this issue and have posted to find the views of BASC members in Dorset on the efficiency of the system. I contacted BASC to obtain your research on the situation.

Dorset’s admin is combined with Devon and Cornwall’s but Dorset performs less well – so really interesting.

I have friends who shoot who told me it was a mess so thought I would reach out and see if that was a common opinion. It is something that I intend to review if elected.

Q: What will you do about Pet Theft?

Our endeavours as a Conservative Group of PCCs has ensured this is on the agenda at the highest level and the PM has agreed that more should be done.

If elected what I will do locally is this:

We need better data from police forces that specifically records pet theft going forwards, rather than just ‘property’ theft, so that we can establish the true scale of the problem. This will take time to implement, so we will also conduct a public survey to identify how much pet theft has already taken place.
More police resources should be deployed to catch the organised gangs targeting our pets, and the 20,000 national uplift in police officers and some of which are going to the Regional Organised Crime Units should empower Chief Constables.
This crime should be considered as a priority within our Regional Organised Crime Units.
We need to improve public awareness of how to reduce their pet’s vulnerability to criminals.
Working with our local MPs, we will seek a change in sentencing guidelines to ensure our judicial system recognises the emotional and social value of our pets, so that tougher sentences can be applied in our courts. If that approach does not produce tougher sentences for pet theft, it may then be necessary to change the law.
I will institute a Paws Watch scheme – effectively a neighbourhood watch scheme amongst breeders and dog walkers.
I have lobbied the Home Secretary and she is setting up a task force to address this – see the interview with her on my Facebook page

Q: What will you do about violence against women, stalking and domestic violence?

A: I think the easiest way is if I talk about this from a personal perspective. I’ll then speak specifically to the issues of violence against women that you raise.

So I have a close family experience of domestic abuse including coercion and control, gaslighting and violence. This manifested itself in phone calls to work to check somebody was actually at work. Tight fiscal control of the household money. Timed shopping trips and interrogations on return. Intense jealousy and interrogations of friends. Heavy drinking physical violence and threats. Following the break up of the relationship there were threats of violence (acid in face) to ensure a better divorce settlement and stalking up to two years after the divorce.

This was a 23 year relationship and the conditioning lasts to this day.

But you want to know what I will do if elected:-

5/ Domestic Abuse – Introduce bi- lateral and individual tagging for monitoring of repeat offenders and victims as required. Note bi-lateral tagging is at victim request only.

6/ Support research into the long term effect of coercive conditioning on future relationships.

7/ Stalking – another stalking advisor as part of victim support – currently there is only one in Dorset.

8/ Stalking – continue to fight for a stalking register

11/ Police Interactions – I want better training for Dorset Police on domestic abuse including time spent in a refuge understanding the victim experience.

12/ I want them to have a better understanding of the embarrassment and humiliation that can be a real barrier to achieving justice for rape victims.

14/ I will be intolerant of misogyny wherever it may occur within either the force or OPCC.

15/ Launch an awareness campaign for the signs of domestic abuse in our rural communities

Q: What is your view on the licensing of firearms in Dorset?

Dorset’s admin is combined with Devon and Cornwall’s but Dorset performs less well – so really interesting.

I have friends who shoot who told me it was a mess so thought I would reach out and see if that was a common opinion. It is something that I intend to review if elected.

Q: What is your view of Neighbourhood Watch and the watches in Dorset – Do you feel they strengthen communities?

Other watch groups such as Pub Watch, Farm Watch etc I have also met with. I have met with the chair of Hotel Watch and also attended meetings to understand the issues there.

I intend to do the following if elected:-

Publicise and support the work of Watches with both data and local case studies to show their effectiveness and increase recruitment
Increase and strengthen the relationship between Watches and Dorset Police so we improve intelligence sharing and crime prevention
Ensure resource so we can pro-actively target areas and increase Watches where they are needed
Bring forward the concept of Country Watch a risk based assessment linking closely both current watches, police and councils in our rural community to drive prevention - this will include new concepts - the Dorset Rangers - mounted volunteers keeping their eye on areas of countryside that are hard to reach

I am completely clear that Watches figure in my vision to make Dorset the safest county in the UK. They form part of my core six priorities - here is the exact wording:-

TO PUT VICTIMS AND COMMUNITIES FIRST

Q: How would you address homelessness and aggressive begging?

A: The high rate of anti-social behaviour is one of the reasons I am standing and unfortunately that can be driven by the homeless and those with addiction issues. I have spent two years researching this and believe that a more robust approach is needed. In that time I have spoken to businesses, residents and homeless charities and all say that they want more enforcement. For those who engage there are accommodation options so no-one should remain homeless.

I have been campaigning on this in the Echo and elsewhere and have achieved a number of things.

a/ Greater awareness of the issue

b/ An understanding that this needs to be addressed

c/ The BCP council have community safety as a priority and have increased the number of CSAS officers in the town centre

What I will do if elected on May 6th is the following:-

a/ Ensure the police have a priority to cut crime and ASB (it is not one of their four priorities in the Police and Crime plan currently) and make it clear that includes aggressive begging

b/ Bring back robust, visible community focussed policing

c/ Work closely with the council to strengthen communities and ensure effective rehabilitation

d/ Support the council to introduce more robust measures to reduce street drinking and aggressive begging

e/ Bring in as early as possible the use of sobriety tagging for repeat offenders

Q: What will you do about fraud and cybercrime?

A: I have over the last three years discussed fraud that affects both residents and business. I have done this both with relevant members of Dorset Police, cyber crime experts, businesses and those dealing with those most at risk such as the elderly and the vulnerable. That includes MPs lobbying for more effective responses at a national and multi-national level and the PCC that leads on fraud nationally. I have also consulted with Bournemouth University as a Professor there sits on national fraud bodies and researching various aspects including inter-generational fraud.

I will if elected do the following:-

1/ Continue lobbying with my PCC colleagues for better fraud solutions on a national and multi-national basis

2/ Lobby for rationalisation of agency for significant fraud and cyber crimes - currently there I think 13 bodies all with a bit of a responsibility for fraud and that is inefficient.

3/ Ensure that our regional fraud capability is appropriate to the job required and ensure good cross-partner working with Trading Standards and the Local Council.

4/ Increase prevention by strengthening Neighbourhood Watches and putting a further 200 volunteers into the field to help prevent this awful crime.

5/ Ensure that we have a specific expert on banking to help support victims that are subject to fraud.

Q: What is your view on speeding, particularly in rural settings?

A: Road safety particularly in rural settings is one of the things that concerns me. I intend to look at this particular risk across the county.

To address road safety, we will increase the numbers in the traffic police and use this additional resource to support the growth of Community Speedwatch through targeted regular enforcement campaigns particularly on rural roads throughout Dorset such as the road you refer to.

We will also seek to apply new and existing camera and other technology to tackle excessive speeding and noise emissions. This should include average speed cameras and ANPR where feasible.

In areas of concern I will work with Dorset or BCP Council if change is supported by a clear majority of local people affected by the road safety issue.

Q: What is your approach to Flytipping?

A: I have seen and understand the offensive nature of this crime. Not only is it unsightly but you have to pay to clear it up. I have lobbied on this issue to Michael Gove when he was secretary of state DEFRA and have agreed that if successful myself and Alison Hernandez PCC Devon and Cornwall will meet with Neil Parish (Chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee) to discuss what measures can be taken to deter this including strengthening sentencing. I will collaborate closely with the council and I will be looking at the use of mobile CCTV at hotspots, seizure of vehicles and a Proceeds of Crime fund to help private landlords with the costs.

Q: Do you support the Police Crime and Sentencing Bill?

A: I do because it addresses that the law-abiding majority have been asking for. Here are some of the points which will benefit us by moving us to an even more peaceful and lawful county:

Enshrine the Police Covenant in law, enabling special constables to join the Police Federation •Introducing a new legal test that will compare a police driver to a peer with a similar level of training (instead of a normal person) •Increase the maximum penalty from 12 months to two years in prison for anyone who assaults or commits an offence of battery against an emergency worker.
Introduce a serious violence duty on specified authorities to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence.
Place a duty on chief officers of police, local authorities and clinical commissioning groups or local health boards to undertake offensive weapons homicide reviews to learn the lessons from such deaths and help prevent future homicides.
Strengthen the law that governs digital information extraction as part of criminal investigations through a statutory power and a code of practice. The statutory power will ensure that authorities can extract information from digital devices while protecting the privacy of victims of crime and others.
Reform pre-charge bail to better protect vulnerable victims and witnesses.
Extend the offence of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence to cover a wider range of preparatory conduct in respect of sex offences committed against children under 13.
Extend the scope of offences in the Sexual Offences Act 2003 relating to the abuse of positions of trust legislation to capture additional roles, such as sports coaches.
Ensure that the criminal courts have sufficient sentencing powers where criminal damage is caused to a memorial so that they can consider all the impacts, not just the monetary value of the damage done.
Confer new powers on the police to assist them in locating human remains, to help provide closure where possible to families with missing loved ones.
Amend the Crime (Overseas Production Orders) Act 2019 to ensure that it operates effectively to give the police and prosecutors the power to obtain faster access to electronic data held overseas.
Strengthen police powers to tackle non violent protests that have a significant disruptive effect on the public or on access to Parliament.
Strengthen police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments, where trespassers cause distress and misery to local communities and businesses.
Introduce a number of road traffic measures to ensure the courts have the powers they need to deal with dangerous and careless drivers.
Ending the automatic halfway release point from prison for an additional cohort of serious sexual and violent offenders; making a Whole Life Order the starting point for the premeditated murder of a child and preventing the automatic early release of prisoners who become of significant public protection concern.
Reduce the time periods after which some criminal sentences become spent, aiding rehabilitation by helping offenders to move on with their lives.
Wherever possible children who offend should be diverted from custody. Our youth justice measures will strengthen alternatives to custody which promote rehabilitation, while at the same time ensuring that children who commit serious offences and pose a risk to the public receive sentences that reflect the seriousness of their offending.
Empower future providers of Secure Schools, which represent our vision for the future of youth custody— schools with security, rather than prisons with education, with education, wellbeing and purposeful activity at their heart.
Introduce new Serious Violence Reduction Orders, giving the police stop and search powers to target adults convicted of knife and offensive weapons offences.
Strengthen the management of sex offenders, including by enabling positive obligations and electronic monitoring requirements to be imposed on those who pose a risk through Sexual Harm Prevention Orders and Sexual Risk Orders.
Strengthen the management of terrorism risk offenders on licence in the community by introducing new police powers of premises and personal search and an urgent power of arrest.
Modernise the delivery of criminal justice and encourage greater use of technology, where appropriate.

Q: How would you address homelessness and aggressive begging?

I have been campaigning on this in the Echo and elsewhere and have achieved a number of things.

a/ Greater awareness of the issue

b/ An understanding that this needs to be addressed

c/ The BCP council have community safety as a priority and have increased the number of CSAS officers in the town centre

What I will do if elected on May 6th is the following:-

a/ Ensure the police have a priority to cut crime and ASB (it is not one of their four priorities in the Police and Crime plan currently) and make it clear that includes aggressive begging

b/ Bring back robust, visible community focussed policing

c/ Work closely with the council to strengthen communities and ensure effective rehabilitation

d/ Support the council to introduce more robust measures to reduce street drinking and aggressive begging

e/ Bring in as early as possible the use of sobriety tagging for repeat offenders

Q: What will you do about fraud and cybercrime?

I will if elected do the following:-

1/ Continue lobbying with my PCC colleagues for better fraud solutions on a national and multi-national basis

2/ Lobby for rationalisation of agency for significant fraud and cyber crimes - currently there I think 13 bodies all with a bit of a responsibility for fraud and that is inefficient.

3/ Ensure that our regional fraud capability is appropriate to the job required and ensure good cross-partner working with Trading Standards and the Local Council.

4/ Increase prevention by strengthening Neighbourhood Watches and putting a further 200 volunteers into the field to help prevent this awful crime.

5/ Ensure that we have a specific expert on banking to help support victims that are subject to fraud.

Q: Why I am standing as a Conservative

A: a/ It is transparent to the voter - there is an understanding of my political views and they are clear with no hidden politics or motivations.

b/ It meant I was validated as competent by 20+ local interviews, a panel interview with other PCCs, a written exam and having to campaign across Dorset to become the candidate. I could not just polish a cv and hope no one asked too many questions.

c/ The Conservative party believes in building families, businesses and communities which in order to thrive need a framework called the rule of law which they believe in supporting. We are the party of law and order.

d/ The Conservative party believes in the Independence of the Police Force and put in place from the start of policing, legislation and oaths to protect the impartiality of the police force and for that reason I have no party whip.

e/ 7 out of 10 of the police forces with the lowest crime rates are run by Conservative PCCs as they understand the linkage between strategy, leadership and operational delivery. Only 1 is in the 10 lowest crime rates.

f/ With 8 MPs, 2 Councils, the majority of South Coast PCCs (most likely) and the Government all being Conservative means that by being part of the camp I have more connections and lobbying capability to get things done for the people of Dorset.

Taken together this means the impartiality of the police is protected and the benefits of a Conservative PCC can only help improve things for the people of Dorset.

Q: What is your view on stop and search?

A: I believe that stop and search is an effective tool for keeping us safe so before changing anything in that regard I would want to understand the reasons for the disproportionality.

Disproportionality is not the same as discrimination and we need to understand the underlying reasons before leaping to that conclusion.

The issues are around the comparator as it is using old Census data from 2011. We will have new data from this year and that may shed new light on the issue.

We also know that we are a net importer of crime into Dorset and if a significant proportion of stop and searches are on those from out of county then they should not be included in a comparison of Dorset.

Finally we know that 80-90% of stop and searches are based on intelligence so that adds a perspective as does the fact that Dorset also has one of the highest success rate for finding evidence from the stop and searches.

So there are questions to be answered. If after that analysis is complete I see evidence of discrimination then I will ensure that it is rapidly and robustly addressed. There is no place for prejudice in Dorset in my view.

Q: What is your position on Unauthorised Encampments?

A: I am very aware that we are in the time of year when there can be tensions created by travellers pitching in unauthorized encampments close to the settled community. There has been a particular case in Sandbanks which has caused significant concern to the local residents. I thought I would outline where I stand on this.

An unauthorised encampment is not specific to any one group – it relates to any encampment on land that hasn’t been authorised by the landowner. It is a civil rather than criminal offence.

A nomadic way of life is not illegal. It is important to remember that some groups (such as Roma, Gypsies and travellers) have lived this way for hundreds of years and the right to do so is protected under the Human Rights Act and for some specific groups the Racial Equality Act.

The travelling community contains many decent law-abiding individuals just like the settled community. The issue arises when travellers act in an anti-social and criminal way.

The major controversy surrounds the use of a Police Power called Section 61. This was legislated for in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1994/33/section/61

It specifically can be enacted in the situation of six or more vehicles. This allows the police to move travellers on under certain criteria and if they do not move or return in three months this becomes a criminal offence.

These criteria may be invoked separately and do not have to be summative. Since the 1994 act other legislation such as the Human Rights Act and Racial Equality Act have come in place and in consequence both the government and the National Police Chief Council have issued guidance to forces.

https://www.npcc.police.uk/documents/Unauthorised%20Encampments/NPCC%20Op%20Advice%20on%20Unauthorised%20Encampments_June%2018.pdf

In the NPCC it clearly states the criteria the first of which is:-

Local amenities are deprived to communities or significant impact on the environment. This could include, for example, forming an encampment on any part of a recreation ground, public park, school field, village green, or depriving the public use of car parks. The fact that other sections of the community are being deprived of the amenities must be evident before action is taken.

The issue then is the variability of use of Section 61. Certainly Devon and Cornwall use it and Hampshire, Thames Valley and Surrey also use it and indeed talk about it on their websites.

Dorset up to now appears not to use this power – the stance taken by the current PCC has been instead to lobby for a transit camp in the BCP area. Leaving aside the practicality of that I would humbly suggest that it is an irrelevance as in the meantime the police should use all the powers at their disposal. There is discretion around its use but why do we appear to have a lower threshold?

I would also suggest that given the criteria are not summative that up to 40 caravans on a public park fulfils the criteria for action. I find that I am not the only one calling for change aligned with others including most recently Sir Robert Syms MP for Poole and also the BCP council leader who pleaded for Section 61 to be used.

I have had the opportunity to raise this issue specifically with the Home Secretary both in terms of the variability of use of Section 61 and what may be happening in this regard in the future.

She confirmed the increased powers both for local authorities and the police to address these types of situations. There has been one of the largest consultations ever regarding the Police Crime and Sentencing Bill and she is critically aware that the current situation is unsatisfactory. Unsatisfactory for travellers who are decent and law-abiding and therefore suffer prejudice due to those who are not and unsatisfactory for the settled community who may have issues on an annual basis.

My commitment if elected is to:

a/ ensure there is a robust Police and Crime Plan with the reduction of crime and ASB as its top priority

b/ work with the Chief Constable so that all powers will actually be used when required including Section 61 and indeed the new powers in the Police Crime and Sentencing Bill.

Enough is enough the current situation needs to change.

Role of Police and Crime Commissioner:

Q: Should Police and Crime Commissioners be political?

A: Police are still operationally independent – PCCs set the overarching priorities for the police, run the budget and have the ability to hire and fire Chief Constables. They do not politicise the police – they make the police more accountable to the people that they serve.

Q: Do PCCs work better than police authorities?

A: Police and Crime Commissioners have brought democratic accountability into policing. The previous system of police authorities was nothing more than invisible committees of appointed councillors to the public and needed replacing with elected representatives. Because of these changes our PCC’s are able to engage with the public in ways that police authorities never did or could.

Q: Do PCCs impact the independence of the police?

A: Police and Crime Commissioners cannot tell the police how to do their job. The operational independence of the police is protected by legislation and PCCs are required to swear an oath of impartiality when they are elected to office.

Legislation:

Q: Does the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill infringe on the right to protest?

A: Freedom of expression is a cornerstone of British democracy. The majority of protests in England and Wales are lawful and will be unaffected by these changes. These measures will balance the rights of protesters with the rights of others to go about their business unhindered. The measures in the Bill will allow the police to take a more proactive approach in managing highly disruptive protests causing serious disruption to the public.

Q: Does the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill do more to protect women from violence?

A: The PCSC Bill includes a number of measures to protect women from violent and sexual crime that have been campaigned for and warmly welcomed. The Bill ensures that violent and sexual offenders will spend longer behind bars and introduces ‘Kay’s Law’ which delivers better protections for victims and witnesses in cases of violent and sexual abuse.

Q: Harsher prison sentences don’t make our communities safer?

A: We make no apologies for prioritising public protection by ensuring serious and dangerous offenders are off our streets for longer. Our reforms to the justice system are part of a wider package to keep our streets and communities safer and, when combined with the recruitment of 20,000 new police officers and increased police powers to pursue offenders, demonstrate our commitment to protecting the public.