Dorset Police tackling anti-social behaviour 'head-on' this week
The force says incidents have fallen to their lowest level since 2007 though
Dorset's recorded the lowest number of anti-social behaviour incidents since 2007.
Police and Council bosses are urging people not to suffer in silence if their lives are blighted by things like graffiti, harassment, fly tipping and people causing trouble.
A week-long crackdown is underway with officers visiting problem areas across Dorset.
The national ASB Awareness Week runs until Sunday 24th November, aimed at alerting members of the public to the issues in their communities.
There are three main categories of anti-social behaviour:
Personal anti-social behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
Nuisance anti-social behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
Environmental anti-social behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
Recent stats from Dorset Police show reports of personal ASB have fallen by 39%, nuisance ASB has fallen by 19% and environmental ASB has fallen by 27% since 2022.
Chief Superintendent and BCP Commander Heather Dixey, of Dorset Police, said:
“I am very pleased to see ASB continue to fall across the county. This achievement has been very much a joint effort between our officers – who are dedicated to driving down ASB in the communities they serve – and our partner agencies, such as housing associations and local councils, who we will continue to work with collaboratively and effectively to make Dorset a safe place for people to live, work and visit.
“ASB affects people’s quality of life and how safe they feel within their communities, whether that’s in their own homes, at work or in public places. Tackling ASB remains a key priority for Dorset Police. We will not be complacent and we will continue to confront this issue head on.
“Furthermore, I would also like to reaffirm to the public the important role they play in stopping ASB in its tracks. When you report ASB, you are making your neighbourhood a safer place for you and your family. Reporting helps us to understand what and where ASB is happening in your community – if we don’t know about it, we can’t put a stop to it – so please continue to report it to us.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick added:
“Since I became Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, I have been determined to robustly tackle anti-social behaviour, as I know the impact it can have on people’s quality of life.
“My dedication to reducing this harm on our communities is why I made dealing with anti-social behaviour a key part of my Police and Crime Plan and have consistently supported Dorset Police with different initiatives including Operation Relentless, 100 Days of Summer and Op Track, alongside funding community-based solutions over the years.
“Targeted work from the Force, alongside strong collaboration with partners, has seen Dorset record the lowest number of anti-social behaviour incidents since 2007/08, as shown in recent figures. Furthermore, ASB reports across the county have fallen by almost 50 per cent since 2020/21 when I came into office.
“These positive statistics demonstrate we are moving in the right direction, and I will continue working to drive down this harmful behaviour.
“My own Operation Relentless Community Fund, which helps local projects reduce ASB, has now supported 39 projects from all corners of the county to deliver CCTV to community hubs and churches and provide young people with diversions to keep them away from problematic behaviour.
“I am clear that by working together with our partners, we will capitalise on these positive figures, crack down on the incidents which make people’s lives a misery and ensure all Dorset’s residents can feel safe where they live and work.”
Local councils have the powers to deal with ASB related to abandoned vehicles, graffiti and flyposting, damage to public property, rubbish and fly tipping, and noise - including loud music, noisy neighbours, parties, alarms, animals and noise from pubs and clubs.
You can report anti-social behaviour at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling Dorset Police on 101.
In an emergency where life is at risk or a crime is being committed dial 999.