Three new ‘Community Wardens’ have begun patrolling
Studland’s beaches from today, Wednesday 1 July 2009, to make
visitors and residents feel even safer.
Dorset
Police has teamed up with The National Trust and Studland Beach
Users Action Group (SBUAG) to get the scheme off the ground in time
for the busy summer season.
The wardens, who have been given training by
Dorset Police and The National Trust, will patrol Studland
peninsula throughout July and August and offer help and advice to
beach users in addition to police patrols and beach rangers.
They will be a point of contact in incidents
that may occur on the beaches such as littering, unauthorised fires
and barbecues, dog fouling, illegal parking, sexual misconduct or
threatening to bring naturism into disrepute.
The wardens will also be asking members of the
public to fill-in a beach safety survey which will give partners
indications on what to improve in the area.
The trio will be highly-visible in bright
yellow t-shirts and will work alongside existing officers from
Dorset Police. Uniformed officers, Special Constables and the
Swanage Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team currently carry out patrols
on foot and on quad bikes. The Community Support Vehicle, which
offers the community a place of contact, will also be visiting the
area on 23, 24 and 27 July 2009 and 1, 10, 14, 17 August 2009 at
Knoll Beach and the Studland ferry toll car park.
Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Des Connor said:
"The Studland peninsula is a very safe place where families can
enjoy the summer. This new multi-agency approach will make the
beach area even safer.
“Studland has welcomed naturists for more than
90 years and continues to do so within an area designated as an
official UK naturist
beach. However, from time to time, we receive reports of sexual
misconduct or activity that threatens to bring naturism into
disrepute.
“Between summer 2005 and summer 2008, nine
sexual offences were recorded in the Studland area and we want to
keep this number as low as possible.
“We will not tolerate any unlawful behaviour
and ask that all residents and visitors to the area respect the
naturists and the freedom in which they wish to enjoy life.
“I am appealing to residents and visitors
alike to continue to report unlawful sexual activity, either by
contact the safer Neighbourhood Team on 01202 222222, reporting the
matter at Swanage or Wareham police station or by passing the
information onto the Community Wardens.
“This new venture will reduce any opportunity
for anti-social behaviour and provide even more high-visibility
reassurance to all beach users that Studland is a safe place to be
with their families."
Emma Wright, Visitor and Services Manager with
the National Trust said: “Studland Beach is visited by a huge
number of visitors each year who enjoy a vast array of activities
from walking, swimming, kite flying to simple sunbathing. We want
them all to have a positive and enjoyable experience from a fun day
out.
“We welcome the partnership approach to
achieving this and having more eyes and ears on the ground.
“The new Community Wardens will work in
partnership with our existing staff but will be able to achieve
greater interaction with visitors by being on foot. They will not
get bogged down with site maintenance and emptying the bins. As the
summer has started well and will hopefully continue to be ideal
beach weather, the new Community Wardens will really have a chance
to make an impact.”
Studland Beach Users Action group (SBUAG) is
committed to making Studland Beach a welcoming, safe environment
for all beach users, built on fairness and respect for all.
It includes Bournemouth-Swanage Ferry Company,
British Naturism, Castaways Naturist Group, Dorset County Council,
Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, Dorset Police, Natural England,
HM Coastguard Swanage, The
Intercom Trust, The National Trust, Purbeck Community Safety Action
Group, Purbeck District Council, The Ramblers Association,
RSPB, South
West Coast Path Association, Studland Parish Council, Studland
Residents’ Beach Association and Studland Riding Stables.