Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner has called for a ‘New York’ approach to Bournemouth town centre.
David Sidwick, pictured, said a ‘no broken windows’ policy was needed.
He told Bournemouth One: “The police have to be tough but you also need a no broken windows effect, the New York approach.
“So we need to clean the place up, we need to put the streetlights on, make certain we’ve got CCTV, address the homeless and their needs but also make sure we don’t tolerate anti-social behaviour, drug deals and shoplifting and that’s exactly what we are doing.”
Mr Sidwick said a new approach to policing had changed the town’s night-time scene for the better.
He said: “In July we put in measures to address the night-time economy.
“There are 20 to 30 police officers on the streets of Bournemouth every Friday and Saturday night and I know that is being felt and is causing a change.
“I’ve had it from a taxi driver who didn’t know who I was who said there are more police around than I’ve ever seen.
“But it’s also about the day time.
“It’s about now addressing the anti-social behaviour, the shoplifting and the drug dealing.”
