Supporting Safer Communities Through GPS Tagging

Supporting Safer Communities Through GPS Tagging

Dorset residents deserve to feel safe in their communities, which is why my office is supporting the important work of Dorset's Integrated Offender Management (IOM) Team through the funding of GPS tags for offenders managed in the community.

The office currently funds 10 IOM tags each year at a cost of £13,800 (or £1,380 per tag). These GPS tags can be used on a range of offenders, including those convicted of burglary, sexual offences and domestic abuse.

The IOM team brings together police, probation and prison services, alongside drug and alcohol support, health and housing partners, to address the root causes of offending and break the cycle of repeat crime.

They provide the necessary interventions to address the causes of each offender's behaviour and help break the repeated cycle of offending. By working together to reduce reoffending they can reduce crime and reduce the numbers of victims of crime.

GPS tagging acts as a key tool in preventing and detecting crime. If an offender commits an offence while wearing a tag, location data can be used to establish where they were at the time, helping investigators link them to, or eliminate them from, enquiries.

Recent changes to the Sentencing Act will result in a greater number of offenders being managed in the community, increasing the demand for electronic monitoring such as GPS tagging.

Maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system during this period of change is vital. Dorset Police, probation and partner agencies are prepared for these changes and are working closely together to ensure offenders are robustly managed, risks are reduced and communities remain protected.

I understand and share victims' concerns about offenders being released from prison earlier than expected. That is why it is essential that these arrangements are backed by robust monitoring and clear consequences for those who fail to comply.

Dorset Police will know who is being released into our communities and will support Probation to enforce their sentences and the force will make the most of all the options available to us to ensure that the risk offenders pose outside of prison is mitigated and victims are protected, including through the use of protective orders and electronic tagging. 

This funding is a strong example of how we are investing in practical measures that help keep Dorset safe. GPS tagging supports enforcement, strengthens offender management, aids rehabilitation and helps prevent further victims of crime. At a time when more offenders will be managed in the community, these tags provide an important tool for police and probation services, helping maintain public confidence that effective measures are in place to protect our communities.

They can also act as a deterrent. Knowing their movements are being monitored may discourage offenders from becoming involved in further criminal activity. In some cases, it may also deter others from attempting to involve a tagged individual in offending.

Additional restrictions can be imposed through the scheme, including curfews and exclusion zones that prevent offenders from entering specific areas.

These tags also support rehabilitation by providing greater structure and accountability for offenders. By helping individuals comply with conditions and reduce further offending, tagging can contribute to increased stability in their lives.

This stability can encourage offenders to engage with support services, attend appointments and access education, training and employment opportunities that can help them build a more positive future.

It can also make it easier for offenders to maintain positive contact with family members, rebuild trust and strengthen support networks that play an important role in preventing reoffending and supporting long-term change.

This work is a strong example of agencies working together to make Dorset safer. By investing in initiatives such as GPS tagging, we can better monitor offenders, support rehabilitation, reduce reoffending and help prevent future victims of crime.

I would like to thank everyone involved in the Integrated Offender Management Team for their continued commitment to keeping our communities safe.

David Sidwick,

Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset