£1 million for anti-social behaviour patrols across Dorset
It's expected to bring 9,000 hours on the streets in the next year
Dorset has been awarded £1 million from the Home Office funding for high-visibility foot patrols tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violent crime across the county.
It's been granted following an application from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
The money will enable Dorset Police to put on 9,000 patrol hours over the next year, as part of Operation Track.
That's been focussed on Bournemouth, Weymouth and other areas of Dorset over the last year.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick said: “I am delighted my Office has secured funding for a second year, which will significantly help us to continue to drive down the types of disruptive behaviour that blights local communities. We are on the right trajectory. So far, in the areas that Op Track has been introduced there has been a 70% reduction in serious violent crime and almost a 70% reduction in reports of ASB.
"I very much look forward to seeing how Op Track will work in areas such as Dorchester, Blandford, Swanage and Wimborne. The additional money will allow Dorset Police to ramp up patrols that deter crimes, while boosting residents’ feelings of safety in both urban and rural towns across the county.”
Chief Superintendent Heather Dixey said: “Tackling ASB is a key priority to keep Dorset safe for everyone.
"This funding helps us to continue our data-driven approach which has achieved excellent results for local people in the last year. Seventy per cent of hotspot areas saw reductions in serious violent crime and 67% showed a decrease in anti-social behaviour reports. This demonstrates the difference Dorset Police is making, continuing to drive down this harmful behaviour in our communities.”