Local MP 'Graduates' from the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme

6.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th May 2005

Annette Brooke Graduating from Police Parliamentary Scheme with Dorset Police Chief Constable

Annette Brooke, newly re-elected MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, officially "graduated" from the Police Service Parliamentary Scheme which she completed in February. Consisting of a total of 22 days 'attachment' to a police unit or team, Annette participated in the scheme in order to gain an in depth understanding of a wide range of issues facing the police force, the level of crime experienced by constituents and the challenges to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the community.

Annette was greeted at her "graduation" by the Chief Constable of Dorset Police, Martin Baker as well as Lord Graham of Edmonton, a trustee of the scheme.

Commenting on the written reports that each participating MP had to produce about every 'attachment' they completed, Sir Neil Thorne, the scheme's Chairman said to Annette, "You have been assiduous with your reports which have been a pleasure to read."

Annette said herself of the scheme, "I learned a great deal from the variety of units I visited and was 'attached' to and have a better understanding of the challenges that the police face - particularly in relation to their resourcing and funding from central government.

"One of my most memorable attachments on the scheme was the Friday night shift in Bournemouth - observing the behaviour of the people leaving bars and pubs late, drunken and out of control. There really is a disturbing culture of violent and aggressive behaviour on the streets which must be tackled.

"The visit to the police's Paedophile Unit was most shocking and disturbing of all, and rather distressing. There is just so much organised crime that the police have to keep up with, which is constantly evolving according to developments in technology. Even locally, there is so much to do. The police really have such a wide range of crimes to tackle - it was a privilege to work with them."

Annette Brooke has worked closely with Dorset Police since being elected in 2001 to gain better funding for the county's police force.