Partnership working is paying off

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset, David Sidwick has put the improvements that have been made in tackling ASB on the Ashley Road in Poole, down to better partnership working.

Since the introduction of Op Relentless and the Police and Crime Plan, the area has benefitted from Dorset police dealing with anti-social behaviour as a priority. The police have also been working ever more closely with the local authority who have introduced community safety (CSAS) officer patrols and two new CCTV cameras have also been installed in the road, all of which adds up to some much-needed improvements being made.

The Police and Crime Commissioner together with BCP’s Community Safety Portfolio Holder Cllr Bobbie Dove and Cllr Nigel Brooks, who is the Lead Member for High Street Renaissance, met with council officers, representatives of the local retail community and other local Councillors on the Ashley Road recently and it was agreed by all present that there had been a tangible improvement to the area and that ASB was finally being dealt with.

Councillor Bobbie Dove, portfolio holder for Community Safety and Regulatory Services: “I was delighted to meet traders at Ashely Road who all reported that there had been a substantial decrease in ASB since June. There has been a significant amount of partnership work to address some of the issues raised for Ashley Road and I have committed further to fund a dedicated community safety officer for the location as well as wider work around environmental improvements.

“It was encouraging to hear the positive feedback from residents and businesses on the recent improvements and I will continue the partnership work to maintain this. Ashley Road plays a key role within the community and we are pleased to announce that the area is now included within our High Streets rejuvenation task force, where we will continue to work with residents and traders to ensure that Ashley Road remains a safe and vibrant place to live, work and visit.”

David Sidwick commented “I would like to thank BCP council and the local councillors for their efforts (some over many years) and of course I would like to thank the local patrol officers who have seriously stepped up over the past few months. All parties who met to discuss the issues with Ashley Road have agreed to continue to work together to ensure continuous sustainable improvement for the businesses and residents of the area.”