Bournemouth, Crime | Posted on August 1st, 2024 | return to news
Bournemouth town centre to see increased police presence
The Night of Action will take place in Bournemouth town centre on Friday 2 August, in order to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Bournemouth will be the scene of a Night of Action, tomorrow 2 August, as part of a multi-agency campaign to improve the town centre and to engage with residents.
The event will highlight how BCP Council, Dorset Police and other partners are working together to protect public safety and address anti-social behaviour (ASB).
The enhanced activity forms part of Dorset Police’s ‘100 Days of Summer’ initiative, which sees an increased number of uniformed officers deployed across key areas of the conurbation, including Bournemouth town centre, to help efficiently tackle issues relating to ASB.
The evening also aims to demonstrate how this ongoing collaborative approach is working to reduce littering, make sure businesses are complying with licensing and trading standards, and engage with young people; especially crucial during the school summer holidays.
BCP Council teams, such as Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) officers and Youth Engagement officers, will be present alongside Dorset Police and WISE Litter Enforcement Officers.
Dorset Police will also be operating a high-tech knife arch in Bournemouth Square, helping people to understand the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
Inspector Ady Thompson said: “Dorset Police is committed to creating and maintaining a safe county for everyone.
“Our officers work very closely alongside BCP Council and other partners to tackle ASB, reduce crime and ensure residents and visitors feel safe.
“Our 100 Days of Summer initiative shines a spotlight on the daily patrols we carry out and wider days of action enable us to work even closer with partners to engage with our communities.
“Our officers will use dispersal powers to direct people away from hotspots 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.”
May’s Day of Action was highly successful, with BCP Council teams seizing 1,279 illegal vapes, 6.8kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 36,980 illegal cigarettes with the support of Dorset Police.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “This latest Night of Action is another opportunity for us to demonstrate how we, alongside our partners, are taking action to improve Bournemouth town centre, as well as share some of the positive successes we’re beginning to see as a result of our ongoing partnership.
“Public safety remains our top priority, and I strongly encourage people of all ages to come down and engage with our teams and partners. To use the event as an opportunity to ask questions, gain an understanding, challenge and feedback on the work our teams are doing to help improve the area we all care about. Your voice and opinions remain critical as we strive toward an improved town centre.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all partner agency and BCP Council teams who continue to work tirelessly to enact positive change in our area. There is of course still work to be done and this will take time, but I firmly believe we are headed in the right direction.”
As the Night of Action coincides with the fireworks display above Bournemouth Pier, the council and its partners anticipate a busy evening in the town centre. Police are encouraging people to visit their engagement stand, speak with teams, ask questions and raise concerns.
The Night of Action engagement stand will be situated in the Lower Gardens from 5pm.
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