Residents and visitors to Weymouth will notice an enhanced visible police presence in the town centre this summer in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminal activity.
This summer, the neighbourhood policing team will build on the success of past campaigns by working with members of Dorset Council’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) to provide 100 days of highly visible uniformed foot patrol during the summer months.
Officers have identified six ASB hotspots in the town centre that they will visit throughout the day. These patrols began on 30 May and will continue until the first week of September. Police officers, PCSOs, CSAS officers and special constables will be visible around the town daily.
As part of the drive to reduce ASB in the town, the neighbourhood team will work closely with partner agencies throughout the summer. Partners include Dorset Council’s ASB team, Weymouth Town Council, the Lantern Trust, Julian House, and REACH. Dorset Police is also part of with the Safer Streets partnership that seeks to divert individuals from causing ASB and crime.
Officers will also be in regular contact with the Beach Control Office, Harbour Master, and RNLI to coordinate resources, ensuring problems are being addressed and people are kept safe.
Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Inspector Sam Goom, said: “Weymouth is a great place to live, work or visit. Unfortunately, there are some people whose behaviour ruins it for everyone else.
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Weymouth feels safe and can enjoy themselves. Dedicated officers on these patrols throughout the summer will be robust with those whose behaviour is anti-social.”
Officers will use dispersal powers to direct people away from the town if they act in an anti-social manner. Repeated ASB by individuals may lead to further action including Community Protection Notices and Criminal Behaviour Orders.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick said: “I am delighted to see Dorset Police launching the ‘100 days of summer’ campaign as part Operation Relentless, the operation that ensures robust action is taken against ASB over the summer months.
“From the moment I became PCC I have heard, from the public, the hugely negative impact ASB has on communities, which is why I made it priority 1 of my Police and Crime Plan.
“This campaign is a direct culmination of what I want to see happening in Dorset. It is only by working with partner agencies that we can really tackle the issue and I am pleased to see a joined-up approach being taken as part of this campaign.
“By bringing together enforcement and diversion we can tackle the blight that ASB is on our communities and work towards making Dorset the safest county.”
You can keep up to date on the team’s work by following ‘Weymouth and Portland Police’ on Facebook and @WeyPortPolice on Twitter and Instagram for the latest news or search the hashtag #100DaysofSummer.