AN OPERATION to improve Dorset Police's service to crime victims has seen a rise in positive outcomes.

Operation Advance was launched in response to the Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill's Police and Crime Plan.

Its aim is to increase positive outcomes for victims of crime to one in three by 2017.

A positive outcome includes a charge, caution, fixed penalty notice, warning, community resolution and restorative justice.

Dorset's positive outcome rate has increased by 5.3 percent since October 2012 and stood at 26.8 per cent in March 2014.

Operation Advance includes a range of measures designed to have a number of outcomes, including continuing reducing crime, targeting prolific offenders, having dedicated teams of officers to target prolific offenders and volume crime and resolve crime in line with victims' expectations.

It also aims to improve police communication with victims, ensuring they are kept updated at key stages throughout their case and streamline how offenders are brought to justice by reducing bureaucracy.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Powley said: “Operation Advance is a part of Dorset Police's commitment towards ensuring more offenders are brought to justice and to improve the service we provide to victims of crime.

“Offences such as burglary and vehicle crime have a real impact on people's lives. It is important the public know we are working hard to reduce all crime, target prolific offenders and ensure victims are kept informed of the action we take.

“While significant improvements have been made, there will always be room for improvement. We want to be the best we can be.”

As a result of Operation Advance, 183 suspects have been charged with dwelling burglary in the last 12 months.

Many others have been sentenced to prison terms and supported with rehabilitation.

And out of 1,789 volume crime investigations carried out over the last 10 months, officers and staff have achieved a positive outcome in 75 per cent of all cases.