DORSET LOSES OUT IN FUNDING SETTLEMENT

On Thursday 6 December 2007 Dorset Police received provisional details of the financial support it will receive from the Government for the next three years and it is the lowest increase given to any force around the country.

John Jones, Director of Finance for Dorset Police, said: “Despite having made repeated requests and representations to the Government, they have yet again failed to recognise the impact of the night time economy and the large number of visitors and tourists who visit the county every year.

“Although Dorset is one of the safest places in the country to live, learn, work and visit, we are the second lowest funded Force in the country.  With an increase of only 2.44% – compared to some police forces that have received up to 3.5% – Dorset Police Authority will be meeting on 20 December to consider the implications.

Mr Jones explained: “To give you an example, the increase of 2.44% provided by the Government is equivalent to just over half of the latest increase in retail prices,  however, despite this poor level of funding, Dorset continues to be one of the safest places in the country as crime continues to fall.

“There has been a significant fall in the number of violent crimes committed – a reduction of 13% compared to last year – and the probability of being a victim of car crime or burglary has never been lower.

“Confidence in Dorset Police has never been higher.  The Force is rated second highest across all 43 forces when it comes to the public having confidence in their local police.

“In addition to this, we have recently been commended by the Audit Commission for our good resource management and our efficiency.  The Force ranks as one of the lowest in the country for its overheads and invests a significantly larger proportion of its budget in police officers and front-line activities than many others.

“Despite the poor settlement and the Government’s failure to properly recognise local issues and demands, we are committed to making Dorset an even safer place to live, learn, work and visit,” added Mr Jones.

Update 18/12/07

But it's not all bad news...

£1,780,890 in cash siezed from convicted drug dealer to be divided between the Government and the force.

Bournemouth drug dealer Hussein Tourh has today, Tuesday, been sentenced to 25 years in prison at the conclusion of a six-week trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

This morning's sentencing of the 24 year old, who lived in Bournemouth, marked the successful conclusion of a detailed and lengthy two year Dorset Police operation - called 'Operation Tandem' - to combat the organised drug industry in the county.

Detective Chief Inspector Crossland, from Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "This case represents a significant break-through against a substantial and organised drugs business.

"We have successfully removed an upper echelon of criminals from such activity, while confiscating drugs, assets and cash from their reach - taking the profit out of their criminal acts.

"Dorset Police is committed to working hard with our communities to take drugs of the streets and make Dorset safer for its residents," explained DCI Crossland.

'Operation Tandem' was the investigation by Dorset Police into the seizure of a substantial amount of cash and controlled drugs in 2006 and 2007.

Yesterday, Monday, 17 December, 2007, Hussein Tourh was convicted for his involvement in a large organised drugs business. Christian Hack had previously pleaded guilty in relation to his involvement.

On 23 November 2006, Bournemouth officers searched a large detached house in Southwood Avenue, in the Southbourne area of the town, following the arrest of brothers Hussein and Peter Tourh.

The search officers discovered a large drugs supply business. Cocaine - with an estimated street value of between £800,000 and £1 million - and £1,780,890 in cash were seized from the house.

Some months later, enquiries by Poole officers led to a property in Alumhurst Road, Bournemouth, rented by Christian Hack.

Nearly 50,000 MDMA (Ecstasy) tablets - with a street value of between £150,000 to £250,000 - and over 15 kilos of Amphetamine (Speed) - with a street value of £30,000 to £50,000 - was recovered from this address.

Officers from Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team were able to link Christian Hack and Hussein Tourh to the rented property, drugs and to the finds at the Southwood Avenue address in Bournemouth.

DCI Crossland said: "In sentencing Hussein Tourh to 25 years in prison, the judge took into account the quantities of drugs seized as well as the amount of money involved in this organised, high level and large scale drugs supply operation.

"The prison sentence handed down to Hussein Tourh sends a very strong deterrent message to anyone thinking of dealing in the misery that is drugs," he explained.

Under confiscation legislation, Dorset Police was able apply to the court for an early decision and the cash was divided between the Government and the force. 

The investigation was led by detectives from Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team with help from uniform and CID officers from the Bournemouth and Poole divisions as well as crime scene investigators and forensic experts.