Minutes of the Dorset Community Safety Partnership - 16 October 2025

Attendance 

Apologies

• Cllr. Laura Beddow, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority 
• Julia Ingram, Dorset Council
• Ian Denness, Dorset Council

Item

No 1. 

1. Minutes of Meeting held on 16 June 2025 and Matters Arising

3.12 Understanding of ‘knife and sharp object enabled serious violence’. 

1.1 This action had been tasked and could now be closed.

2. Op Track 

2.1 Temporary Inspector Sophie Williams presented Op Track, an evidence-based hotspot policing approach using 15-minute pulse patrols based on the Koper Curve Theory. 

2.2 The initiative, now in its second year, had significantly reduced serious violence and anti-social behaviour, and was being expanded into market towns. Sophie explained that the 15-minute pulse patrols require community engagement and data tracking, with problem-solving central to neighbourhood policing.

2.3 The group strongly supported the scheme, discussing data sharing opportunities amongst partners, impact on community perceptions, and the importance of feedback loops for front line officers. David Webb noted a recent decline in youth custody arrests and was interested to know if this initiative had had an impact. Paula suggested sharing data with agencies such as Youth Services. Sophie agreed to link Tony Howell with Paula. 

2.4 Andy Frost emphasised integrating data into Community Safety Partnership structures (i.e. Partnership Coordinating Group) and promoting the initiative through the Community Safety Partnership’s communications. Sophie confirmed details will be shared for inclusion in the Community Safety Partnership communication plan.

Action - Sophie Williams

3. Pineapple Project Young People’s Survey

3.1 Rachel presented findings from the latest Pineapple Project’s Young People’s Safety Survey. 

3.2 The survey, conducted earlier this year, received 1,548 responses and compared experiences, responses, and support against the 2022 survey results. 

Key highlights included:

• it was felt that partnership work had improved safety e.g. firework night felt safer for young women and girls.
• perceptions of safety around the police had improved from 3% to 19%.
• CCTV and better lighting were major factors in people feeling safe. 
• warm, Wi-Fi-enabled spaces remained popular amongst young people and would often be where they congregated. 

3.3 Cllr Gill Taylor was concerned about the increase in people saying they carry personal protection items, although it was unclear from the data if those were personal alarms or knives. John reassured the group that reports of young people carrying knives remained very low. The group stressed the importance of consistent messaging around the risk of carrying knives. David Webb explained ongoing work within the targeted youth team to engage young men and boys on appropriate behaviours.

3.4 Molly expressed interest in understanding perceptions of abuse among younger respondents, as these can differ to older people.

3.5 Andrew queried whether there were opportunities to support respondents who disclosed being victims of sexual offences to ensure these cases were properly reported to the police. This question was not included in the current survey, but the 2022 survey revealed a concerning number of victims who had not reported their experiences. 

3.6 Rachel explained who young people tended to confide in and that some would not tell anyone. The most common reason for not reporting was a belief that “there’s no point – I won’t be believed.” Rachel explained she was working with police communications teams to address this issue and emphasised the need for messaging that reassures victims their reports will be taken seriously, and they will receive support.

3.7 It was noted that branding for the project had been highly successful, with strong community awareness and recognition. Girls now understood what the project represents and that support will be available.

4. Performance Update

4.1 Andy provided an overview of the latest performance trends. Due to time, it was agreed that the Hate Crime discussion would be picked up at the next meeting. 

Action - Andy Frost

5. Domestic Homicide Review Update

5.1 Di Evans provided an update on the current status of Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), covering those marked as complete, those currently with the Home Office Quality Assurance Panel, ongoing reviews, and cases that did not meet the Domestic Homicide Review criteria.

5.2 Di presented two Domestic Homicide Review's for the Community Safety Partnership to sign off prior to submission to the Home Office. Di explained the rationale for recommending to not publish one of the reviews, citing the potential risks.

5.3 Members of the group recognised the significant effort involved in co-ordinating and completing these reviews and thanked Di for her work.

5.4 Molly Rennie highlighted that recent learning from reviews aligned with discussions at the Dorset Domestic Abuse Forum, particularly around strengthening partnership working and improving access to services. Julie observed similar themes emerging from Safeguarding Children’s Partnership reviews. Paula highlighted the introduction of Safeguarding Families Together (SFT), designed to enhance collaboration across agencies, which had already delivered positive outcomes.

Resolved

The recommendations in the report were agreed.

6. Update from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

6.1 Rachel Young delivered a presentation highlighting the alignment between Community Safety Partnership priorities and the work of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).

6.2 Lewis Gool gave an update on specific initiatives funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner that support the Community Safety Partnership priorities. These included services for high-risk domestic abuse victims, Independent Sexual Violence Advisors and the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime, among others.

6.3 Rachel also outlined joint efforts between the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Community Safety Partnership to address serious violence. This included identifying priority cohorts, analysing data trends and commissioning evidence-based interventions.

6.4 Finally, Rachel offered a horizon-scanning overview, covering key developments such as the government spending review, recommissioning of the high-risk domestic abuse service, plans for the national rollout of DRIVE and initiatives like the Prevent Partnership and Young Future Hubs.

7. Community Safety Partnership Structures

7.1 Andy explained work undertaken to strengthen the Community Safety Partnership’s structures following the development session held in May. 

7.2 One of the themes coming out of the session was being clear about the role and function of groups within the structure and the responsibilities and expectations of group members. This had prompted a review of current structures and functions, which resulted in proposals for some slight changes.

7.3 Certain principles had been applied when developing the proposals:

• the structure must be lean, fit for purpose and allow the Community Safety Partnership to meet its statutory duties.
• the new structure must allow statutory partners to have a better grip on the delivery of statutory plans and strategies and work to meet priorities.
• the new structure must allow the Community Safety Partnership to have a closer connection to place based community safety work and vice versa.
• the role, function and membership of groups within the structure is clear.
• reporting lines between groups are clear.
• connections are made to groups with shared interests that sit outside of the Community Safety Partnership.
• where relevant and beneficial, consideration is given to using pan-Dorset arrangements

7.4 The structure changes, which involved establishing a Strategic Delivery Group and modifying locality focused arrangements, would bring greater co-ordination to joint work, provide clarity regarding governance arrangements and ensure Community Safety Partnership priority areas such as tackling sexual offences are given due consideration.

7.5 Members of the group strongly supported the changes. Simon Hester stated they aligned well with NHS Dorset’s ambition to have better working across partnerships. Paula Golding expressed her support and stressed the need for appropriate representation on groups. Julie Howe felt the changes would help Dorset Police organise more effectively and make the Community Safety Partnership more efficient.

7.6 Work would now take place to write terms of reference for groups and put the new arrangements in place.

Action - Andy Frost

Resolved

1. proposals relating to Community Safety Partnership’s structures were agreed.
2. it was agreed that members of the group would provide feedback to Andy on the draft role description for Community Safety Partnership group members. Action - All

8. Forward Plan

8.1 The forward plan was agreed. 

9. Any Other Business 

9.1 There was no other business. 

Future Meeting Dates

• 10am, 25 March 2026 – In person – location to be confirmed