Dorset Police and BCP Council team up to tackle ASB and serious crime
24/7 foot-patrols in Bournemouth town centre aim to 'reassure the public'
Dorset Police and BCP Council have joined forces to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and street violence in Bournemouth’s town centre.
Through the foundation of the ‘Bournemouth Town Team’, both entities recognise that incidents of anti-social behaviour and serious crime, including knife violence, are of great concern to local communities.
It’s a campaign designed to reassure the public and highlight that Bournemouth is a safe place to live, work and visit.
Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey told us: “Crime remains low within the town centre and this ‘town team’ will provide that visible presence, so people shouldn't be fearful of coming here.”
Dorset Police will now have 24/7 foot-patrols in the town centre in a bid to “reassure the public.”
CSI Dixey added: “We've listened to the community and businesses and we’re now in a position to supply some officers that are dedicated to the town centre.
“Previously, I wasn't able to do that but because of the uplift in our numbers, it's really given me the opportunity to allocate some permanent resources to the town centre.”
An additional five officers will be integrated in the dedicated town team as cutting crime and anti-social behaviour is the top priority for the Police & Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick,
He said: “Now that we've got the resources, now that we're starting to get successes, I want this town to be as lovely as I remember it when I grew up here.”
When I talk about ‘the issues that matter’ I mean, dealing with issues like anti-social behaviour, street drinking, drug dealing, prolific shoplifting, and aggressive begging.
This joint campaign “cements the partnership” between Dorset Police and BCP Council.
The local authority will be responsible for aggressive begging, street drinking and supporting those who find themselves homeless, while Dorset Police focus on criminality in the town, such as drug misuse or drug dealing and prolific shoplifting.
Sophie Sajic, Head of Safe Communities for BCP Council, said: “We completely understand the impact anti-social behaviour and serious violence has on the community. But Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole remains one of the safest places in the country and we need to make sure that we're telling people about that.”
Both BCP Council and Dorset Police believe heightened visible presence of officer will see the town retain that status.
BCP Cllr Kieran Wilson said: “We all have the same goal, we all want Bournemouth to be a safe place for people to live, work and thrive in. We all want to find solutions to issues we currently find ourselves dealing with.”