Following a hugely successful 2022 campaign, ASB Awareness Raising Week will run from 3 – 9 July.
BCP Council teams, alongside Dorset Police, will be conducting patrols across the BCP area to help raise ASB awareness in local communities. Locations to be visited include West Howe, Westbourne, Boscombe Precinct, Turlin Moor, Sandbanks, Castlepoint, Bourne Valley and Bournemouth town centre.
Last year, the BCP area saw reported crime rates fall by 25 per cent during peak summer season (April – August 2022) in comparison to the year prior, showcasing the difference safety-focused initiatives are having in our region.
BCP Council employs Community Safety Officers (CSAS) and have a dedicated ASB Team who work closely with Dorset Police to help prevent crime and protect our local communities.
Evidence suggests that 56 per cent of people in the UK still believe more needs to be done to tackle ASB in their area, and 57 per cent fail to raise a report when it happens as they do not believe appropriate action will be taken.
Working in close partnership with Resolve, an organisation with over 25 years’ experience in helping communities to tackle ASB and stay safe, each day of the campaign will have a different focus.
Discussing the campaign, Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services, said: “Keeping residents of BCP safe is a main priority to the council, so we are pleased to be promoting the ASB Awareness Raising Week alongside Resolve again this year, who do vital work in helping to keep local communities thriving. Our CSAS and ASB Officers do an important job working alongside Dorset Police to help tackle crime, and their continued efforts have supported us in reducing reports in recent times. However, unfortunately it is not possible to stop the problem entirely and irresponsible behaviour continues to cause harm. Whether our resident’s want to learn more about ASB, understand how and where to report it, or are suffering and in need of support, this scheme is here to help you and will ultimately help us to ensure BCP remains a safe and pleasant region in which to live.”
Chief Inspector Darren Harris of Dorset Police, added: “Dorset Police works in close partnership with various teams within BCP Council, RNLI, the voluntary sector and local businesses and retailers to make our town centres and open spaces safe and enjoyable places to visit. This work includes high visibility patrols with CSAS officers to not only provide visible reassurance and a deterrent, but also take proportionate enforcement action against those whose engage in ASB or criminality. The neighbourhood policing teams have been listening to their local communities about the issues that affect them. We will be addressing these with our partners not only during ASB Awareness Week but as part of their day-to-day duties over the weeks and months ahead.”
Dorset Police’s ongoing commitment to addressing ASB across Dorset is identified as Operation Relentless. Monitoring activity in Bournemouth Gardens to help keep people safe while they enjoy the night-time economy, and dealing with vehicle and youth related ASB in Sandbanks are both of high priority.
BCP Council’s commitment to tackling ASB is also year-round, and help is always available. Should you require support from our specialist ASB team, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 01202 128883.
If somebody is seriously ill or injured, or if your life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
