Meet your new patrol officers who are working to make Weymouth even safer.
Martin, Samuel and Jason have joined existing officer Sam on the beat. They are patrolling in Weymouth seven days a week. You can follow their progress on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Follow them on social media:
Twitter @PatrolOfficers
Facebook @weypatrolofficers
Instagram: weymouthpatrolofficers
Or find them via #weypatrols
Follow to find out what they are doing, where they have been, and how they are tackling anti-social behaviour.
The team wear uniforms and are specially trained and carry out certain police and council powers, such as issuing fixed penalty notices.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Housing, said: “I am delighted to welcome our new patrol officers. They are out and about in Weymouth and their presence shows that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“I hope people will feel reassured when they see them. They are here to help, so please do speak to them or email them at patrol@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk especially if anything has made you feel unsafe.”
They usually work in pairs and their shifts cover seven days a week. They are employed by Dorset Council under the Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), which has also been supported and also funded by Dorset Police, the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, British Transport Police and Weymouth BID.
They are currently focusing their patrols on the town centre and Esplanade, Weymouth Train Station and Lodmoor. This summer they have issued Community Protection Warnings to tackle anti-social behaviour, helped evict an illegal encampment at Lodmoor and issued warnings to people begging in the town centre.
They have also warned youngsters against jumping off the pier, dispersed groups engaging in anti-social behaviour, warned cyclists not to use the Promenade outside the permitted times and cleared-up unattended items left in public places.
This autumn, they are also focusing on the Rodwell Trail and the Marsh. They are authorised to enforce Dorset Council’s Public Space Protection Order (PSPO). This sets out rules on feeding gulls, consuming alcohol in public places and cycling on the promenade. It was introduced last year after considering people’s views. However, it does not ban drinking alcohol outright or create an alcohol free zone.
Pictured are Weymouth’s Community Safety Patrol Officers, from left: Martin, Samuel, Jason and Sam.
