Published on Friday 15 November 2024
The latest in a series of Days of Action in Bournemouth town centre will take place on Monday 18 November 2024, demonstrating the collaborative work of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, Dorset Police, and partners; committed to ensuring public safety over the festive season.
The council is keen to gather feedback from local residents, visitors, and businesses in Bournemouth town centre, whose views remain essential to shaping our work to enhance the safety and security of the locality.
This upcoming Day of Action will take place within Christmas Tree Wonderland, situated in Bournemouth town centre Square and Lower Gardens, focusing on anti-social behaviour (ASB) and helping to raise community engagement.
Teams involved include the council’s ASB, Licensing and Trading Standards teams; Community Safety (CSAS) Officers; Dorset Police; Bournemouth Town Centre BID (Business Improvement District) Rangers; WISE Litter Enforcement Officers and We are With You youth services.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicates considerable decreases in ASB across Dorset County, with personal ASB reducing 39%, nuisance ASB 19% and environmental ASB 27% since 2022.
In the BCP area, reports of ASB have reduced by 6% - equivalent to 113 individual cases.
This latest Day of Action launches alongside ASB Awareness Week, with a variety of local events and activities helping to spotlight different ASB themes, raising awareness for the issue and available support.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said:
"I’m pleased to see this latest data showing a decline in ASB, both in the BCP area and across Dorset, reassuring us that our collective efforts are making a notable difference.
"This latest Day of Action provides us with another opportunity to directly engage with residents. We want to know what’s working, where improvements are seen, and what could be improved further in Bournemouth town centre, particularly over the busy festive period.
"I encourage everyone who can to visit the engagement stands in Bournemouth Square and Lower Gardens, or to engage digitally via our social media channels.”
In the last year, collaborative multi-agency work in Bournemouth town centre has achieved:
- Over 15,000 hours of foot patrols
- £1.4 million worth of illegal vapes and cigarettes being seized
- A Purple Flag award, recognising Bournemouth town centre’s outstanding nighttime economy
- The opening of 10 new businesses, including The Ivy, Botanist and Patch Workspace
- A reduction in the commercial vacancy rate to 15.5%
The council, with the support of its partners, has also recently launched its BCP Unity Promise initiative to unite businesses in ensuring the safety of women and girls.
From Spring 2025, the Community Guardianship volunteer scheme will also launch, seeing trained volunteers working to protect the wellbeing of those enjoying the town centre’s nighttime economy.
Despite the recent positive reductions in ASB, agency partners collectively believe that more can be done. We are eager to continuously understand the thoughts and concerns of our local residents and communities, so we can effectively target our work.
Dorset Police, in collaboration with the council, will be hosting an engagement stand in the Lower Gardens from 10.00am. Residents and visitors in the town centre are encouraged to visit and speak with officers, ask questions, and provide feedback.
Officers will also be operating a high-tech knife arch, helping people to understand the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
Chief Superintendent and BCP Commander Heather Dixey, of Dorset Police, said:
“We are committed to reducing crime, including ASB, across communities in the BCP area and the rest of the county. We will continue to work with our partner agencies, such as housing associations and local councils, as part of our bid to make Dorset a safe place for people to live, work and visit.
“I would like to reaffirm to residents, visitors and business owners in the BCP area the important role you all play in making our communities safe. Our officers welcome your reports, questions and feedback regarding issues of crime you are concerned about should you wish to speak to us at our engagement events.
“Your reports help us to understand the issues occurring in your communities – if we don’t know about it, we can’t put a stop to it – so please continue to engage and report it to us.”
Given the significance of the festive season for local businesses, Bournemouth Town Centre BID Rangers will be actively patrolling the town centre, providing assistance to visitors, addressing ASB concerns and helping to ensure the safety and security of the locality.
Their work ultimately supports local business by helping to maintain a welcoming environment for shoppers and visitors.
Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said:
“Our Town Centre BID Rangers, whilst having no formal powers, play a key role in not only supporting the businesses in the town centre but also as part of the Town Team approach.
“It’s imperative in this key retail period that the daily ongoing commitment by BCP Council and partners to town centre safety and security, of which Days of Action are a part, delivers tangible and lasting results for residents, visitors and workers.”
Residents who are unable to visit Bournemouth town centre and engage directly in the Day of Action can still ask questions and provide feedback on social media, where BCP Council and Dorset Police will be sharing content throughout the day.