NEW volunteers described as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the man responsible for policing in Dorset were invited to his offices.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill hosted his team of PCC Advocates for the first time at Winfrith headquarters.

Mr Underhill recruited seven voluntary advocates for geographical areas, or for groups such as the older population or the Polish community, to support work on community issues.

The advocates include Park District resident Ken Whatley who was appointed PCC Older People Advocate for Weymouth and Portland in November.

Mr Underhill said: “I was delighted to welcome my team of advocates to Winfrith.

“They play a pivotal role in helping to cut crime and anti-social behaviour. Their role is to act as my eyes and ears and to feed back issues over policing and the fear of crime. I cannot be everywhere all of the time. Community issues are complex multi-agency challenges that need a lot of work.”

The other advocates are Helene Bowman Brown (PCC Advocate for Boscombe), Agnieszka Kossakowska (PCC Polish Advocate for Bournemouth), Anna Anderson (PCC Polish Advocate for Poole), Anne Laugharne (PCC Older People Advocate for Purbeck), Avril Coulton (PCC Older People Advocate for Christchurch), and Christine Stone (PCC Older People Advocate for North Dorset).

Mr Underhill is looking to recruit more voluntary advocates in the new year including for communities such as Melcombe Regis in Weymouth.