Action has been taken over the last four months to improve the Somerford area of Christchurch
Several organisations have united to address public safety and environmental issues including Sovereign Network Group (SNG), BCP Council, Dorset Police and local schools.
As part of the initiative, £5,000 from Dorset’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, through the ‘Op Relentless’ Community Fund, was secured to combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) – launching the Safer Somerford Programme.
Funding covered local initiatives to reduce ASB, improve safety and enhance the local area, including:
- Community clean-up to remove waste and maintain overgrown crime hotspots.
- Community engagements to gather residents’ concerns, shaping future actions that foster change and promote pride.
- Youth Outreach: Vita Nova, a community arts charity, will create a Key Stage 2 performance for local primary schools, using drama to address themes like county lines, cuckooing and addiction.
- Information and awareness-raising initiatives to improve reporting of ASB and crime.
Agencies have shared information and acted against households involved in or enabling criminal activity.
Collaborative enforcement action has so far led to:
- Three full closure orders being issued for Somerford properties due to significant nuisance, disorder or criminal activity.
- An Anti-Social Behaviour Injunction (ASBI) being obtained.
- A Court hearing held for breach of ASBI.
- Three notices issued to pursue future possessional of premises.
Three recent Days of Action have also been held in Somerford following concerns raised by the local community regarding drug-related activity, ASB and violent crime.
On August 14th, neighbourhood policing and enforcement officers took targeted action in the area, conducting three stop searches, logging five intelligence reports and carrying out five disruption surveys.
A 25-year-old man from Bournemouth was arrested for suspected involvement in supplying class A drugs and driving offences – suspected cocaine, cash, and his vehicle were seized. A second man, aged 32, was also arrested and charged with theft and using threatening language.
Activity across following days saw officers conduct 12 address checks on vulnerable individuals, complete eight disruption surveys and assist with a closure order on Hunt Road. A woman received a community resolution for drug possession and a man was arrested for failing to appear in court.
An engagement event also generated intelligence logs, safeguarded vulnerable people and received positive public feedback. Partner agencies say they will continue to carry out further engagement activity involving high-visibility policing and plain-clothed activity.
Cllr Kieron Wilson, Member for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “Criminality and ASB have no place in the BCP area and the council is committedly working with Dorset Police, Sovereign Network Group and other partners to tackle these issues, both in Somerford and across the wider area.”