THE manager of a Bournemouth hotel says members of the armed forces should be based in the town during peak summer months to help police deal with a rise in crime.

Rosie Wallace, managing director of the Marsham Court Hotel, said more support should be given to Dorset Police as visitors flood the resort.

Reports of crime often spike during the warmer months.

"I don't know why we don't get the Army in to help in the UK," she said.

"We've got people who serve in the armed forces and are sat in barracks.

"Why can't they come down to help out during busy times? We're a busy resort town.

"During the summer, the town is much, much busier, but the police don't get any help or extra resources to deal with that.

"We pay the armed forces - why don't we get some help from them at peak times?"

During a Hotel Watch meeting earlier this week, Rosie called for more funding for the force.

Hotel Watch is an information-sharing initiative between hotels and Dorset Police.

Rosie established the scheme with PC Dan Cullen.

PC Cullen and his colleagues are “so pushed” during the summer that the initiative is not a priority, Rosie said.

“When hotels do call about crime, they don’t always get a follow-up because [police] are so pushed,” Rosie said.

“Tell us how we can help push the police and crime commissioner for an extra budget.

“The summer is our busiest time.”

Police and crime commissioner Martyn Underhill has often spoken out about the government’s police funding formula.

He told the Daily Echo this month he was disappointed that no additional central government funding was being allocated to Dorset Police this year, but said the move to increase the local policing precept will allow for resources to meet increasing demand in the county.

Hoteliers who attended Tuesday’s Hotel Watch event were asked to keep speaking to police with any concerns over crime. There were talks about child sexual exploitation, terrorism and human trafficking during the morning.