POLICING areas in Dorset have been reshaped as the force makes an effort to improve local response and 'provide an outstanding service' for communities across the county.

On Monday, Dorset Police formed two Local Police Areas (LPAs) in a bid to better respond to the issues that matter most to communities in the county.

The two LPAs share their borders with the corresponding councils and are made up of the County LPA, which covers the Dorset Council area and will be led by Chief Superintendent Steve Lyne, and the BCP LPA, which covers the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council area and will be led by Chief Superintendent Mark Callaghan.

The change has been implemented to allow the force to localise policing resources across a range of services, including key areas such as neighbourhoods, investigations and safeguarding, and enable local commanders to continually improve the level of service provided to the public.

Police bosses hope that this will enable Dorset Police to work more proactively with partners to strengthen plans and provide a local service that works for local people across the two council areas.

Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya said: "Dorset Police is dedicated to providing an outstanding service to the people of Dorset, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities.

"By taking this approach, we can focus on the issues that our communities are facing and provide a robust, engaging, proactive and visible policing presence.

"We want to take this opportunity to form strong connections with our communities and partnership agencies so that we can properly listen, understand and respond to local issues and concerns."

The creation of the two LPAs comes at a time of investment and growth in the force. National investment has already seen 50 new officers join Dorset Police, and the force has a target of employing a further 50 officers over the next year.

Over the coming months, there will be opportunities for members of the public to engage directly with local officers, both in person and on social media.

For more information and to keep up-to-date with the force's work, visit the Dorset Police social media channels.