Latest news with #AmandaPearson
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Dorset PCC calls for more police funding at summer hotspot
A county's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has called for more funding for policing in his area during the Sidwick said the current national funding formula, in place since 2013, did not take account of Dorset's annual influx of comments came at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's Police and Crime Panel on government said this year it had given police forces "a £1.2bn boost – including £200m to put 3,000 neighbourhood officers in post by spring". Mr Sidwick also said the funding formula did not reflect the rural nature of the said Chief Constable Amanda Pearson had already warned she needed an additional £12m to provide the county with a good services, but instead was having to find £15m in said many in Dorset were in favour of a better and fairer funding formula – including Unison and the local Police Sidwick said: "The well-funded metropolitan forces could send us some of their cash because we are policing their residents and, in effect, Dorset residents are subsidising their policing."He said he would make the case to government after the summer recess of Parliament.A Home Office spokesperson said: "Funding allocations for individual police forces will be confirmed in the police settlement and we will continue to work with the police to make the best use of this funding." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Stroud horses used for mental health have to relocate
An equine therapy yard working with children and young people is urgently looking for a new home. The Red Horse Foundation provides therapy and learning for people struggling with mental health and at Thrupp near Stroud in Gloucestershire they need to relocate as their current site is up for sale. They are now appealing to people who may have a space of land with stables, so they can continue to provide the services they offer. Chief Executive of The Red Horse Foundation Amanda Pearson said: "We've had a great relationship with our landlord for the last 15 years, but life changes for everyone and [the landlord] is at a stage of life where he needs to downsize."The Red Horse Foundation are now looking for a new home to create certainty for their clients, their horses and for everyone who works at the they are looking for an empty yard in Gloucestershire where they could operate as long-term tenants. "People come out to our centre and form a connection with one of our horses," Ms Pearson explained. Through assisted therapy with the horses, a client "learns about themselves through that relationship, and hopefully begins to make changes in their lives.""It's a really great way to practice life skills," she added.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- BBC News
Bravery award nomination for off-duty Dorset PC
Bravery award nomination for off-duty PC PC Demar Rowe spoke to and restrained a man wielding an electric saw for 20 minutes Dorset Police Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said his action were "nothing short of remarkable". PC Demar Rowe was travelling to work on in Ferndown, Dorset, on 9 August 2023 when he stopped and used a decorating sheet to cover a man to distract him and wrestle the tool out of his hands. An off-duty police officer who single-handedly restrained a man wielding an electric saw has been nominated for a National Police Bravery Award. When PC Rowe first spotted the man he was agitated, walking in front of traffic and attempting to lie down in the middle of Golf Links Road. After PC Rowe pulled over and spoke to the man, he went back to his vehicle for the electric saw, which had a blade bigger than 1ft (30cm) long, switched it on, and swung it at PC Rowe before attempting to harm himself. PC Rowe got the decorating sheet from the back of the man's vehicle and used it to cover him, then grappled the saw from his hands and held him in a bear hug grip while another person called the police. In total, he was interacting with the man alone for about 20 minutes, Dorset Police said. "Even though he was off-duty, Demar put himself in harm's way to safeguard not only the individual involved, but other nearby members of public," said Ms Pearson. "I am so proud that he is a member of our force. He is an inspiration and epitomises the very best of policing."
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Dorset Police investigations 'require improvement'
Dorset Police needs to get better at investigating crime, responding to the public and treating people fairly, a report has found.A government inspectorate rated the force as "requiring improvement" in three out of nine graded areas and "adequate" in said the number of crimes solved following investigations was "low" and officers were not meeting response time targets for calls and Constable Amanda Pearson said the report was "fair and constructive", adding: "Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country." His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) carried out the PEEL inspection - which stands for police efficiency, effectiveness and legitimacy - from 2023 to acknowledged the force's efforts to address racial disparity in police stop-and-searches but said it remained an "area for improvement".The inspection also found emergency calls were not being answered quickly enough and responses to incidents were missing target times. It found victims were not always adequately supported, while just 9.3% of victim-based crimes were recorded as "offences brought to justice".Dorset Police said areas of good work highlighted included its Safeguarding Hubs to keep vulnerable people safe, its tackling of anti-social behaviour, management of more frequent crime types and strategic and financial planning. It said the report also recognised "sustained improvements" in call handling, response times, investigations and in addressing "disproportionality in the use of police powers".Ms Pearson said: "This report is a fair and constructive assessment of the effective and impactful improvements the force continues to make."We have invested in reducing call times, strengthening investigations and making sure our service works for everyone in Dorset. "I am pleased the report identifies those priorities and the work we are doing whilst also pointing out where we can improve." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
