Dorset Police has recruited 174 new officers, exceeding its target for the government's national Police Uplift Programme.

The announcement will come as welcome news to Dorset residents, many of whom have been calling for more a more visible police presents in their local communities, in particular to address concerns over anti-social behaviour.

Using a Freedom of Information request, the Liberal Democrats recently found that 60,249 incidents of anti-social behaviour in Dorset had gone unattended by the police since the beginning of 2019. 

In 2022 alone, 12,480 incidents of anti-social behaviour in Dorset went unattended by a police officer - accounting for 70% of all reports made.

The new data comes as the Conservative government says it has reached its target of recruiting 20,000 new police officers, having employed 20,951 since 2019.

This means the number of police officers across England and Wales now stands at 149,572 – about 3,500 higher than it was in 2010, when the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats began cutting police numbers.

Some have argued that the rise hasn't kept pace with the increase in population since 2010 and that many experienced officers have left. The current number of officers is about 3,500 higher than it was in 2010, when the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats began cutting police numbers.

Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick, said: "All of these new recruits will mean more officers serving the people and communities of Dorset and adding extra strength and depth to the service and I would like to wish each new recruit well in their chosen career as they go out in our communities to fight crime, put victims first and keep people safe.

"Dorset's residents have frequently told me that they want to see more police officers on their streets, and I want to be clear that these new officers are not filling vacancies left by those who have retired or left.

"These officers are in addition to the force's baseline numbers. Each recruit is integral to the Police and Crime Plan's priority of our police being more visible, connected and engaged with the community and in striving toward the ambition of making Dorset the safest county.

"I would like to thank the people of Dorset, whose contribution through the policing precept is helping to make Dorset Police better equipped, better resourced and more visible and connected to the communities they serve."

Mr Sidwick went on to say that the new officers were "just one part of the on-going work to increase the visibility and connectivity of Dorset Police".

He added: "In recent months, the force has made the switch to the Single Online Home Platform for its website, including how the public can report crimes. When the public need to speak with the police, it is vital that they can do so in a simple and timely way that meets their needs.

"The police handle a considerable volume of complex calls and enquiries from the public – and it is by no means an easy job. Single Online Home has enabled the force to update its website in line with the national offering, encouraging more online reporting, and improving ease and accessibility for those wishing to contact the police. 

"I do, however, understand that sometimes the public want to speak to the police in person and that online reporting is not accessible for all.

"That is why, last summer, I supported Dorset Police as they ran a pilot programme that saw the introduction of a mobile police station front-desk and office. Using a police van, force contact officers set up at dedicated locations to provide a physical point of contact and reporting in areas without a police station.

"In addition to the mobile police station, Community Contact Points have been established in several areas, including Swanage, East Dorset and Christchurch, with the aim of providing a range of dedicated events intending to increase accessibility and visibility in local communities.

"These contact points offer a facility to report crime and incidents as well as offering prevention advice and generic engagement.

"In Dorset, Neighbourhood Policing Teams are at the heart of the force's are at the heart of community policing and each team along with the Response Team are the very backbone of community policing. Their work has been boosted recently with the creation and strengthening of a number of specialist teams, including, the Rural Crime Team, Neighbourhood Enforcement Team and Missing Persons."