Dorset fire service to speak with every female worker in abuse investigation

DORSET and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue say its investigation into allegations of abuse and inappropriate behaviour will including speaking to every one of its female staff.

It follows revelations in an ITN programme of shocking behaviour from some male staff towards female colleagues, writes Trevor Bevins of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Cllr Rebecca Knox, chair of the Dorset Fire and Rescue Authority, told a meeting that the internal investigation would run in parallel with the police investigation.

She said the allegations made had been deeply concerning and were being treated seriously.

The investigation will be led by a woman, yet to be announced, although a shortlist of suitable candidates has been drawn up and a draft terms of reference for the investigation were being prepared.

Cllr Knox said the authority had also set up a confidential help service which any staff could use and that appropriate support would be offered.

She told the meeting that despite the claims, it ought to be remembered that the vast majority of staff were “good people, working hard and do a good job.”

But she said that inappropriate behaviours “will be tackled head on”.

She said that no questions could be asked about the investigation at the meeting in view of the police operation now being "live".

Cllr Knox said that once the investigation was concluded it would be published and be available for fire and rescue authority members to ask further questions.