DORSET’S chief constable has praised the dedication of officers, staff and volunteers after a year of intense demand and high-profile policing across the county.

In her annual review covering December 2024 to November 2025, Amanda Pearson said the force’s 3,525 officers, staff and volunteers had responded to growing pressures while continuing to reduce crime and protect vulnerable people.

During the year, Dorset Police handled almost 280,000 emergency and non-emergency calls, including more than 134,000 to 999 and 144,000 to the 101 service, alongside over 58,000 online crime and intelligence reports.

Officers attended more than 54,000 incidents, including nearly 40,000 welfare concerns and over 9,000 mental health-related incidents.

Pearson highlighted ongoing work with councils, the NHS and mental health services to ensure people in crisis receive appropriate care to help reduce demand on frontline officers so they can focus on core policing duties.

The force’s fleet of 457 vehicles travelled more than 3.1 million miles during the year, supported by technicians who carried out nearly 3,000 repairs.

Dorset Police’s enhanced video response service also continued to expand, with more than 80% of victims choosing to speak to officers by video rather than waiting for an in-person visit.

High-visibility policing featured strongly, particularly during the summer months.

More than 10,000 hours of dedicated patrols were carried out in hotspot areas to tackle anti-social behaviour and violent crime, with Dorset exceeding national expectations for hotspot policing.

Protecting vulnerable people remained a priority and officers located 2,805 missing people and referred more than 37,000 adults and children to safeguarding hubs for multi-agency support.

The force also renewed its commitment to tackling violence against women and girls through its “Here for Her Safety” campaign.

Drug supply disruption continued through Operation Scorpion – a regional operation targeting organised criminal networks across the south west.

Road safety was another key focus. Officers detected more than 77,000 speeding and red-light offences, with the fastest driver recorded at 125mph on the Bournemouth Spur Road.

Police supported hundreds of people seriously injured in collisions and the families of 16 people who lost their lives on Dorset’s roads.

Pearson also referenced major investigations, including the murder of Joey Johnstone, which resulted in two offenders being jailed.

She paid tribute to police staff, volunteers and 191 special constables who contributed more than 26,000 hours, and thanked families who support police officers behind the scenes.

The chief constable confirmed recruitment remains under way, with new officers and staff joining in 2025 and more expected in 2026.