New app to tackle crime in Bournemouth

With lockdown restrictions easing Bournemouth Coastal BID has launched an app to help crack down on low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.

It will operate across the BID’s areas of Westbourne, West Cliff, East Cliff, Pier Approach, Boscombe, Southbourne, Pokesdown, Tuckton and Hengistbury Head.

The Disc app is free to all businesses, not just those who pay the levy, and the more who sign up the more effective it will be.

Around 100 BID districts already use the system.

Paul Clarke, chairman of Bournemouth Coastal BID, said: “This is an important new initiative.

“It will make the area even safer for locals and visitors and will benefit businesses across our areas, and we’re extremely pleased to be able to roll it out.

“Those signed up can report street drinking, rough sleeping, graffiti, damage to street furniture, fly-tipping or other anti-social behaviour.

“Everyone using it is alerted immediately and a way to quickly resolving the issue can be put quickly into action.

“It also acts as a warning system and provides a network of businesses which can work together.”

Tim Seward, chair of the BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA), said: “This app will be a valuable asset.

“It will help hoteliers across Bournemouth Coastal BID’s area communicate low level crime to each other much faster with the use of modern technology; BH Area Hospitality Association members are fully behind this system.”

To sign up for the app contact the BID’s manager Fiona McArthur on Fiona@CoastalBID.co.uk