THE closure of HMP Dorchester is ‘totally unacceptable’ the man at the helm of Dorset policing has said.

Martyn Underhill, who has now been in the job of Police and Crime Commissioner for a year, said he will continue to fight on the issue.

He also called for more transparency from the Government which keeps cutting funds ‘by the back door’.

Mr Underhill has already expressed his disappointment at the closure of Dorchester prison, which was announced in September.

But looking forward to the year ahead he said one of his priorities is reducing re-offending – and this would be difficult when the nearest ‘restorative’ prison was Exeter.

He said: “It is totally and utterly unacceptable that our restorative prison becomes Exeter.

“That’s not an option for me. One, how can I commit to provide support and help to prisoners when they are a two and a half hour drive away?

“Two, we know that people stop committing crime if they have a family support network.

“Well how can a family support network be there if the family have to travel two and a half hours each way? It’s crazy.”

The prison is due to close next month with inmates moved to Exeter and other ‘suitable accommodation’.

Mr Underhill said his year in office has been a ‘rollercoaster’ but he will go up for re-election because there is a lot more to do.

He assured residents of rural areas that they would will get just as much attention as those in conurbations – but the future of policing looks different.

Sharing vehicles and assets with other forces looked like a reality if the Government kept taking away funds, he said.

“In the last month, the taxpayer and I have lost about £1.2million. We keep having this ‘top slicing’.

“Myself and the other PCCs of the South West have said, ‘If you’re going to take money away, be transparent about it. Don’t keep doing it by the back door.’ “If the cuts continue we will have to look for strategic alliance.

“That’s two or three police forces sharing resources.”

Police chief has met 8,000 residents

MARTYN Underhill has met 8,000 residents so far but plans to engage with more in new initiatives, such as supermarket visits.

“Expect to see your PCC standing next to the egg counter,’ he joked.

Mr Underhill’s ‘first year successes’ include an eight per cent reduction in crime, an increase in the number of criminals being caught and lifting the recruitment freeze that had been in place for several years.

He also secured the future of Dorset Police’s marine section, got an additional police helicopter and launched Dorset Victims’ Bureau.