DORSET’S Police and Crime Commissioner has defended himself after he was accused by a residents association of ‘losing the plot’.

A newsletter sent out by West Christchurch Residents Association last week criticised Dorset’s PCC Martyn Underhill after he was unable to meet them for a meeting.

Chairman and general secretary of the association, Jim Biggin, wrote: “We welcomed the appointment of a PCC in Dorset because it meant that for the first time we could meet and talk to a senior police officer.

“During his first term of four years we met Martyn Underhill several times and found the meetings productive.

“Following his recent re-election, he has now declined to meet us on the basis that he is too busy seeing other people.

“This combined with his recent ill-judged foray into the public domain to make rather foolish remarks about the proposed reorganisation of local authorities in Dorset has left us wondering if he has completely lost the plot.”

Mr Underhill said at the start of the consultation on the reorganisation of Dorset’s councils that a single unitary council for the whole county should be considered.

He said he was “very disappointed” that the option had been ruled out by council leaders and called for a referendum on the restructure.

However, Mr Biggin has also come under fire for a financial analysis he drew up, which said residents would be financially better off as part of a Bournemouth and Poole authority.

The document, put out by ACRA (Alliance of Christchurch Residents Associations), of which Mr Biggin is also chairman and secretary, was criticised by Jumpers ward councillor Colin Bungey for ‘only containing half the information people needed’.

Responding to WCRA’s newsletter, Mr Underhill said: “Every week, I receive a significant amount of requests to attend meetings and community groups as the only elected representative covering the whole of Dorset.

“Having met with West Christchurch Residents Association on numerous occasions since I was first elected, I am keen to facilitate meetings with other groups who I have not yet had an opportunity to meet.

“I have previously invited the association to forward any questions or concerns they may have.

“Having met them several times, I was rather taken back to read that they think I am an appointed senior police officer, when I am actually an elected politician.

“I would remind all Christchurch residents that they can get in touch with me directly by emailing pcc@dorset.pnn.police.uk.”