DORSET Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has backed Dorset Police Federation’s (Polfed) decision to join a campaign highlighting financial cuts.

The federation becomes the sixth police federation to join the Essex Police Federation campaign, ‘Cuts have Consequences’.

Mr Underhill, meanwhile, has become the first PCC to actively support the campaign.

In a blog post, he said: “The Dorset Polfed video is factual, and really highlights in a brief snapshot what consequences cuts can have.

“Any campaign that informs the public of the issues has to be supported.

“Any future cuts have the potential to effectively and significantly change policing in Dorset. The public need to know that.”

Mr Underhill said the force had absorbed cuts made so far because they had to.

He said: “As PCC I am proud that despite the cuts, by doing things differently and driving out savings, we have achieved a 20% drop in funding yet still ring-fenced PCSO’s and opened up police officer recruitment.

“But the cuts have still hurt. We have lost staff. Our levels are now the same as in the 1980’s. But, of course, demand has rocketed.

“Child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and honour based violence existed but were not given the requisite prominence it is today, add to that internet fraud and other cyber-crime and we can see crime is changing and becoming more complex to investigate.

“We have also lost buildings, and will continue to do so. I have always held the view that ‘losing bricks and mortar must come before losing cops’, especially as the force has started rolling out its mobile data strategy this month, enabling officers and staff to work in the community at all times.”

Mr Underhill said he was concerned about future cuts, which could put PCSO numbers and Safer Neighbourhood Teams under threat.

He said: “If you examine the recent Institute for Fiscal Studies report, which has examined all major parties manifestos, it is clear that the Treasury may impose cuts of 6% per year, over the term of the next Parliament. That equates to a 41% cut in funding for Dorset Police from 2010 to 2019.”

Mr Underhill said a chief constable would have to prioritise risk and harm compared to crime prevention and public reassurance.

He said: “The Cuts have Consequences campaign isn’t about politics; it’s an informative programme, highlighting and increasing public awareness.

“What is political is that all politicians need to know, and so do the public, that if the cuts keep coming, policing in Dorset will change forever.”