Release: More funding to tackle ASB in Dorset

Dorset has been awarded £1 million of Home Office funding to continue its high-visibility foot patrols that tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violent crime across the county, after an application from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

The money from central government’s Hotspot Action Fund will enable Dorset Police to put on 9000 patrol hours over the next year, as part of Operation Track which has been running as a data-led pilot project in Bournemouth, Weymouth and other areas of Dorset over the last year. This initiative also aims to help hit the Home Office’s national target of halving knife crime during the next decade.

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 per cent reduction in serious violent crime and almost a 70 per cent 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 per cent 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.”