DORSET'S marine policing unit faces an uncertain future following a report which says it is not delivering value for money.

Thursday's Dorset Police Authority meeting will be asked to back a series of recommendations to make marine policing more cost and operationally effective.

These include the development of a strategy which could range from identifying where policing responsibility lies, to how marine policing will provide visibility, patrols and reassurance across the whole force coastline.

There could also be clear guidelines to ensure resources are directed in the most efficient way and guidance over seasonal use of resources indicating force priorities for marine policing.

The performance review also recommends that the force develops an approach across territorial divisions driven by the need for crime prevention and reassurance and that it encourages a multi-agency approach with local authorities and central government agencies.

The review notes that the small numbers of staff available limits the number of hours of high visibility patrols along the coast, lessening the way these patrols provide public reassurance.

The review recognises useful work done by marine policing but adds that findings show the marine and task force does not provide an equal service to all coastal areas and the number of marine incidents and crimes is very small compared to the total figures for the force.

The review says: "Inter-agency co-operation is good but can result in the section performing a number of tasks that are not the responsibility of the force.

"Some agencies have reduced their own capability and rely on use of police craft and officers to perform functions for which the force does not have responsibility.

"The craft provide a high visibility patrol which provides public reassurance but consultation indicated that customers want more, not only in the west of the county but in areas where patrols already exist.

"The capability of the force to respond to major incidents at sea is good but the number of such incidents is extremely small."