Association of Dorset Watches Conference Saturday

I spent a very interesting day at Winfrith at the ADW annual conference. It is really encouraging to see that Homewatch/Neighbourhood watch is so active right across Dorset and that delegates are prepared to give up their Saturday to listen to Police, Trading Standards and other partners and to net-work with other watch members.Most relevant was the presentation from our top Policemen Martin Baker and Martin Hiles who described how they see Policing across the County in these difficult economic times. What was gratifying was that the thrust of their reorganisation was that neighbourhood policing(SNT)is to be supported and will be the bedrock upon which the rest of the structure sits.If this is the case and the spending review does not completely undermine the reorganisation, as it well might, then I will be a happy bunny. The SNT structure is for me the key reason we are seeing the dramatic change in incidents of crime and disorder in our communities. High visibility of officers and close partnership with other agencies has really paid off over the last three years in Christchurch and, although there are some hotspots, across Dorset as a whole. The final roll out of the new Police structure will be early in the new year following presentations in December and for what it is worth, I think it will be extensive. Back to the conference though, my hearty congratulations to John Shave and his team on the production of a very full program and a well organised day and for the very lively discussion.