Autumn credited with ending anti-social behaviour at Poundbury park

Neighbours of the Great Field had been calling for action

Author: Faye Tryhorn & Trevor Bevins - Local Democracy ReporterPublished 12th Oct 2023

It's thought the nights drawing in and the temperatures falling has brought an end to anti-social behaviour at a play park in Poundbury.

Local residents had been complaining about young people gathering at the Great Field in the evenings.

They'd called for action, suggesting locking the equipment up at night, and installing CCTV cameras.

But Dorchester Town Council, which manages the site, say the change in seasons seems to have deterred further issues, with problems 'largely disappearing'.

Cllr Molly Rennie said some of the town’s youth workers had been involved, visiting the Duchy of Cornwall site in the evenings and had pledged to take part in any meetings to find a resolution to the problems.

The play area was officially opened in May 2022 by Prince Charles, as he was then.

Minor problems with vandalism on the site were dealt with in the summer by Dorset Police stepping up evening patrols for a short while.

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