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Police should see all crime victims
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Every victim of crime should be visited by the police, irrespective of how serious the offence, Home Secretary Alan Johnson has indicated.
Launching the first national television advertising campaign to explain what the public can expect from their local force, he said his "gut" instinct was every victim should be seen and spoken to by an officer.
The Home Office also confirmed criminals will be "named and shamed" by forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from next month.
Official guidelines to be issued by the Ministry of Justice will set out to police and councils that they should routinely publish information about offenders and the sentences they receive.
Mr Johnson accepted there might be "practical" reasons why not all victims could be seen in person.
But he said: "My gut reaction is that a victim of crime should be seen and should be spoken to.
"There may be practical reasons why you can't have a general commitment that covers all crime no matter how minor - there may be practical difficulties involved in that.
"But I think in general the principle and the sentiment is absolutely right."
The Dorset force is already picturing offenders on their "Behind Bars" website, with details of their crime, when they were sentenced and for how long.
