A concerted effort has been made to tackle anti-social behaviour in Boscombe.

Between Monday 11 April and Thursday 14 April, Dorset Police teamed up with colleagues from BCP Council to tackle issues raised by residents and local businesses.

Other agencies involved included Trading Standards, parking enforcement and the homeless charity, St Mungo’s.

In 2020, Dorset Police introduced Operation Relentless, which reminds residents and visitors that anti-social behaviour (ASB) will not be tolerated in the county.

Licensed premises were visited to discuss ASB issues that could be causing concerns and to ensure all licences were in order. Some licensing breaches were identified, and formal notices were issued at several venues.

Large quantities of illegal cigarettes and e-cigarettes were seized. The illegal tobacco trade is often linked to other illegal trades including drug smuggling, exploitation, and money laundering.

Advice was given to residents at an address in Springbourne following reports of drug-related ASB, which was affecting the community. They were offered support by Boscombe Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and the BCP ASB team. If the situation does not change, a full Closure Order on the property could be applied through the Magistrates Court.

Two quad bikes were also seized after they were seen being driven on the pavement and road in Lowther Gardens.

Neighbourhood inspector Helen Deakin said: “This targeted action demonstrates our ongoing commitment to dealing with ASB. This is a priority for Dorset Police and our partners – no agency can handle all forms of ASB on its own, so by working together can we make Bournemouth East a safer place to live and work.

“This isn’t a one-off. Operation Relentless was introduced to show residents and visitors that the force takes a tough approach to ASB. We want to empower communities to take the ‘anti’ away from anti-social. It’s important that people report incidents of anti-social behaviour involving loud, abusive, rowdy or intimidating alcohol-related behaviour, drug misuse and intimidating gangs of people to Dorset Police, so we can make Dorset a safe county for everyone.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “This is exactly the type of police action I, and the residents and businesses of Boscombe, want to see happening.

“Tackling ASB is a priority of my Police and Crime Plan because I was told by so many residents of the harm it had caused to them and their community.

“I would like to thank the officers and staff involved, as well as all the partner agencies that took part. Tackling an issue like ASB cannot be done in isolation and so to see partners working together for a safer Boscombe is fantastic and I look forward to seeing more ASB targeted action across the county.”

Sophie Sajic, head of Street Based Response at BCP Council, said: “BCP Council welcome any opportunity to work in partnership, and these days of action demonstrates how our organisations work together to improve community safety.

“Anti-social behaviour affects our communities, businesses and visitors and we are really pleased to be able to take a pro-active approach to tackling some of the key issues currently seen in East Bournemouth.”

You can report ASB online at dorset.police.uk/contact-us. In an emergency where life is at risk or a crime is being committed, please dial 999.

If the police are not able to deal with your complaint directly, they will give you advice on which local agency can help and how to contact them. The police and other local agencies have a variety of different powers to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Local councils have the powers to deal with: abandoned vehicles; graffiti and flyposting; damage to public property; rubbish and fly tipping; noise, including loud music, noisy neighbours, parties, alarms, animals and noise from pubs and clubs.