POLICE DETAILS
Dorset Police - Christchurch West Neighbourhood

Drug Dealing

As with the last survey the number one priority highlighted was Drug Dealing.
 
 

We will continue to actively target street dealing, the wider supply chain and repeat offenders. We are acutely aware of the detrimental impact drug activity has on the community and local businesses. By targeting the most prolific offenders we aim to not only reduce overt street dealing but also protect those who become victims of cuckooing, leaving no place within our community where drug dealers can hide. In order to best deploy our resources we rely on community intelligence so that we can target specific locations at hotspot times, working with our partners to increase our disruption activity. It is only by working together that we can reduce this criminality and let the dealers know there is no place in our community for them.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) came out as a close second on our priority surveys. ASB impacts on people’s lives and can be extremely personal. 

We are committed to supporting the community and tacking this head on. We work regularly with the Local Authority to target, disrupt and deter Anti-Social Behaviour. We effectively use civil orders such as Community Protection Notices, Anti-Social Behaviour Injunctions and Closure Orders, to deal with the most prolific people and impose prohibitions on them. We encourage reporting from the community to assist us with the evidence gathering process. In addition we will continue to provide high visibility patrols to deter antisocial activity and encourage reporting from the community to assist us with deploying our resources in the most effective way.

Illegal e-mobility

Location:

Describe the issue & its affects:

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

• Engagement with the community to offer reassurance and encourage reporting
• Target offenders for disruption and positive action.

• Officers attended a Mobile Police Station engagement, providing visibility in the area and an opportunity to connect with the public about current issues.

• The team have been engaging with local schools and partner agencies, sharing intelligence and also working on a wider educational media strategy to inform children and parents about the risks and legalities regarding e-mobility vehicles.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location:

Describe the issue & its affects:

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

• High visibility foot patrols
• Positive intervention and action against those committing ASB or crime.

• Officers conduct multiple Operation Track high visibility foot patrols every week in this area, speaking to the public and dealing with any incidents or anti-social behaviour.

• Officers have been engaging with people living or sleeping on the street, then liaising with supportive services to assist with safeguarding measures.

Illegal e-mobility

Location:

Describe the issue & its affects:

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

• Engagement with the community to offer reassurance and encourage reporting
• Target offenders for disruption and positive action.

• Officers attended a Mobile Police Station engagement, providing visibility in the area and an opportunity to connect with the public about current issues.

• The team have been engaging with local schools and partner agencies, sharing intelligence and also working on a wider educational media strategy to inform children and parents about the risks and legalities regarding e-mobility vehicles.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location:

Describe the issue & its affects:

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

• High visibility foot patrols
• Positive intervention and action against those committing ASB or crime.

• Officers conduct multiple Operation Track high visibility foot patrols every week in this area, speaking to the public and dealing with any incidents or anti-social behaviour.

• Officers have been engaging with people living or sleeping on the street, then liaising with supportive services to assist with safeguarding measures.

Illegal e-mobility

Location:
Barrack Road, Christchurch

Describe the issue & its affects:
Use of illegal e-mobility (scooters and bikes) in the area, with riders wearing face masks/coverings, is linked to criminality and is intimidating for the public to witness. It is also dangerous for the riders and all in the community.

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

Engagement with the community to offer reassurance and encourage reporting
Target offenders for disruption and positive action.

June Update:
- Officers continue with high visibility patrols in order to identify offenders, take positive action and disrupt the negative impact on the community. These patrols are targeted to specific areas using a variety of data, including reports from the community.
- Officers continue to work with partner agencies, schools and housing associations to promote education, share information and increase awareness of the risks involved with illegal e-mobility use.

May update:
Officers continue with high visibility patrols in order to identify offenders, take positive action and disrupt the negative impact on the community. These patrols are targeted to specific areas using a variety of data, including reports from the community.
Officers continue to work with partner agencies, schools and housing associations to promote education, share information and increase awareness of the risks involved with illegal e-mobility use.

April Update:
Officers have been conducting intelligence-led patrols in key areas and subsequently seized an illegal e-bike being used on Barrack road.
Officers have continued to develop and promote educational and safety messaging linked to Operation Think. This is being linked in to local schools to raise awareness with children and parents.

March Update:
Officers attended a Mobile Police Station engagement, providing visibility in the area and an opportunity to connect with the public about current issues. The team have been engaging with local schools and partner agencies, sharing intelligence and also working on a wider educational media strategy to inform children and parents about the risks and legalities regarding e-mobility vehicles.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location:
Fountain Roundabout Underpass, Christchurch

Describe the issue & its affects:
People drinking alcohol, loitering and behaving in an intimidating manner, causing concern for the community.

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

High visibility foot patrols
Positive intervention and action against those committing ASB or crime.

June Update:
- Officers have engaged with the community and businesses during the Mobile Police Station engagement, where advice and support was given to those experiencing anti-social behaviour in the area.
- Officers continue with high visibility patrols and investigating reports of anti-social behaviour and crime. Officers have identified more children involved and investigations continue towards suitable positive outcomes for the offences committed.

May update:
Officers have engaged with the community and businesses during the Mobile Police Station engagement, where advice and support was given to those experiencing anti-social behaviour in the area.
Officers continue with high visibility patrols and investigating reports of anti-social behaviour and crime. Officers have identified more children involved and investigations continue towards suitable positive outcomes for the offences committed.

April Update:
Officers have gathered evidence and worked with the BCP Council ASB Team to extend an Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction on a nuisance male that regularly causes issues in Christchurch. The ASBI contains a number of prohibitions that help to protect the community from disruption and harm.
Officers have been conduction high visibility and reassurance patrols in key areas, to prevent problems experienced in the recent past. These include the Town Centre, Jumpers Common and Barrack Road.

March Update:
Officers conduct multiple Operation Track high visibility foot patrols every week in this area, speaking to the public and dealing with any incidents or anti-social behaviour. Officers have been engaging with people living or sleeping on the street, then liaising with supportive services to assist with safeguarding measures.

Business crime including theft and criminal damage

Location:
Christchurch town centre / Fairmile / Barrack Road

Describe the issue & its affects:
Shoplifting and damage predominantly caused by youths or drug users.

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

Provide a SPOC for the local businesses to ensure a joined up approach to identifying suspects and taking robust action to break the offending cycle.

August Update:
- Since the introduction of two new Neighbourhood Policing Team officers to the Christchurch area, officers have been actively engaging with businesses and residents across Christchurch Town Centre, Fairmile and Barrack Road. The new officers have been carrying out visits to local businesses, introducing themselves to the community and strengthening relationships to ensure concerns are identified and addressed promptly.
- Following reports of a series of plant thefts affecting local residents and businesses, officers worked closely with members of the community to gather information and review available CCTV footage. This has resulted in the identification of a suspect, and enquiries remain ongoing to establish their identity and take appropriate action.
- The new Local Policing Inspector has also conducted patrols within the area and met with representatives from the Business Improvement District (BID). Discussions focused on current crime trends, concerns affecting local businesses and opportunities for improved information sharing to support intelligence development and the identification of offenders.
- Officers have continued high-visibility patrols in key locations, taking robust action against individuals whose behaviour has had a negative impact on the community. This has included the use of dispersal powers (Section 35 notices) to address anti-social behaviour, street drinking and associated disorder.
- Local businesses have been encouraged to report incidents and share CCTV opportunities to assist investigations.
- We will continue to work closely with businesses, residents and partner agencies to identify suspects, disrupt offending and ensure those responsible for shoplifting, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are dealt with appropriately. Through ongoing engagement, intelligence gathering and targeted patrol activity, we aim to reduce crime and keep Christchurch Town Centre, Fairmile and Barrack Road safe for businesses, employees and the wider community.

July Update:

This is a new priority that we have begun to tackle.

Christchurch now has two extra officers who have been tasked with focussing on the town centre and Barrack road. They will be working with local businesses to identify repeat offenders and take positive action with the aim of making Christchurch town centre a safer place for all our visitors and residents.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location:
Somerford Road, Bailey Bridge retail park

Describe the issue & its affects:
Abusive groups of children committing thefts, damage and low level assaults.

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

Work with the public and local businesses to identify suspects in order to take positive action with the aim of reducing offending and making the area safer for the general public and business employees.

August Update:
- Following extensive enquiries, officers identified a number of young people responsible for the reported incidents.
- Positive action has been taken, with key individuals being dealt with in relation to theft offences and low-level assaults. These cases remain under review by the Youth Justice Team, who are working with those involved to provide education, intervention and support aimed at reducing re-offending and preventing further anti-social behaviour.
- Following an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and concerns for welfare involving a group of young people in the Somerford area, officers have worked closely with the Safer Schools Team and BCP Council's Anti-Social Behaviour Team to identify those involved. Through the use of the local consequences scheme, warning letters have been issued to the parents and guardians of those identified, highlighting concerns and setting clear expectations regarding future behaviour.
- A particular address was also brought to our attention following concerns raised by members of the community. Officers conducted a joint visit with the housing provider and continue to work in partnership to address the issues reported and provide long-term solutions for those affected.
- Officers have continued to conduct reassurance patrols and engagement visits with local businesses, providing crime prevention advice and encouraging the reporting of any further incidents.
- The Neighbourhood Policing Team has also attended the area with the Mobile Police Station, offering residents and members of the public the opportunity to discuss concerns, share information and receive updates on police activity in the area.
- Additional high-visibility patrols have been carried out at key times identified through intelligence and community feedback.
- We continue to work closely with local businesses, partner agencies and the community to monitor the situation, identify any new offenders and take appropriate action where necessary. These efforts have contributed to a reduction in reported incidents and aim to ensure the area remains a safe environment for residents, visitors and those working locally

July Update:

This is a new priority that we have begun to tackle.

Officers have completed extensive CCTV enquiries and identified a number of children who have been repeatedly involved in the above-mentioned activity. Positive action has been taken and we await outcomes from the Youth Justice Team who are working to reduce re-offending through a number of initiatives.