DORSET POLICE

I thought it would be appropriate for me to introduce myself to you - my name is Mick Rogers and lam the Sectional Inspector at Gravel Hill Police Station. I have recently transferred to Dorset Police having served previously with the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

It might be helpful if I explain to you what the policing arrangements are at Gravel Hill Police Station. Gravel Hill Police Station forms one
half of the Poole Policing Division. There is an Inspector in charge of each of the. Stations - myself at Gravel Hill and Inspector Derrick Lillywhite at Poole Police Station. Gravel Hill Police Station is responsible for covering the areas of Hamworthy, Turlin Moor, Upton, Lytchett Minster, Broadstone, Merley, Corfe Mullen, Canford Heath, Nuffield, Alderney/Mannings Heath, Creekmoor and Waterloo areas.

There are five shifts that operate from Gravel Hill and these officers work on rotating shifts covering on a 24-hour basis. These officers are responsible for dealing with calls from the public and issues which require an immediate High or Low priority attendance according to their importance. If you wish to call the police for any of these incidents, then you should call Tel No. (01929) 462727 (HQ Winfrith) or(0l202)552099.

In addition to these officers, there is a dedicated Home Beat Officer for each of the areas that Gravel Hill polices. Such officers tend to work during either the day time or late turn shifts and are there to deal with incidents that are orientated around a local area. The Home Beat Officer for yourselves is Nick Wyer and he can be contacted on (01202) 227816, mobile 07752 607704, or e-mail at Nick.Wyer@dorset.police.uk.

It is clearly our responsibility to respond to all the incidents that we receive in the correct manner. All officers at Gravel Hill are clearly focussed in working towards a set Divisional Policing Plan which focuses in upon the issues that concern the general public, being such matters as anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and other acts of mindless vandalism.

We have recently changed the way in which we police in that Dorset Police has decided to use Poole Division as a 'test' Division for the implementation of an Integrated Management Unit. This Unit is essentially aimed at analysing all of the calls that we receive from the public and ensuring that we have dealt with such matters correctly. It assesses and analyses a vast amount of information so that our attention is focussed upon those areas and persons within the Division who warrant additional police attention. In the short time that this has been running, we are already starting to see noticeable successes.

I am happy to report that in recent years there has been a year-by-year decrease in the amount of crime that has been reported from the Broadstone area. Whilst particular incidents do cause us concern, it is very often the case that the fear of crime is completely disproportionate to the amount of actual crime that is committed. Not only are we lucky enough to reside in one of the safest counties for crime in the country, but we are also residing within an area of Dorset that suffers low levels of crime.

I am very conscious of the efforts that Nick Wyer is making in terms of his work in the Broadstone and Merley areas. I do receive a regular amount of correspondence from parties who have taken the time to write in to say what an excellent neighbourhood officer he is. I concur with these views.

In assessing the work Nick does I would ask us all to bear in mind that undirected patrol for the sake of patrol has no proven connection in minimising and detecting crime and disorder.

I would like to assure all readers that there is an excellent standard of officers based at Gravel Hill Police Station. We are all working in unison to ensure that the Policing Plan is met as are your expectations of us. What is proven is the fact that the most efficient way for the police to operate is in close co-operation with the community -that is why it is a pleasure to have contact with the Broadstone Residents' Association and the Broadstone Chamber of Commerce.

I am always happy to receive calls from yourselves and my direct telephone number at Gravel Hill Police Station is (01202) 227810.

Mick Rogers
Section Commander - Gravel Hill Police Station

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