A multi-agency operation to keep young people safe while
they’re out in Christchurch during the summer holidays is being
launched as local schools break up.
The operation – involving Dorset Police, Christchurch Borough
Council, Trading Standards and MAYO (Multi Agency Youth Outreach) –
is aimed at tackling less serious violent crime, anti-social
behaviour and underage drinking.
The operation, which is funded by the Dorset
Community Safety Partnership, will see multi-agency staff
patrolling the town on Friday and Saturday nights throughout July,
August and September.
During the early evening Dorset Police
officers and MAYO staff will be on foot
patrol targeting the areas frequented by young people during the
summer months.
Police officers will be seizing alcohol from
anyone under the age of 18 and in certain cases, contacting parents
of those acting in an anti-social manner to advise them that their
son or daughter has been brought to the attention of the
police.
Meanwhile, Trading Standards will be
monitoring sales of alcohol in the town.
MAYO staff will also be
offering a street pastor service, where volunteers will be able to
assist young people and keep them as safe as possible. On a typical
night out – the street pastor team will carry a backpack containing
a basic first aid kit, water bottles, flip-flops and dustpan and
brush.
Sergeant Malcolm Warriner,
of the Christchurch Safer Neighbourhood said: “As a partnership we
are committed to preventing crime and disorder in Christchurch.
“We will not be targeting
law abiding young people who simply want to socialise with their
friends, but will act positively on behalf of the local community
and visitors to deal with anyone behaving inappropriately.
“Our message to young
people is; behave responsibly, distance yourself from anyone intent
on behaving in an anti-social manner and others when you are out in
the town.”
“We’d also like to make a
direct appeal to parents to make sure they are aware of their
children’s plans and that they are not given alcohol to go out with
or allowed to consume alcohol before they go out.”
Natalie Minns, Christchurch Borough Council
Community Team Leader, said: “The people of Christchurch are very
proud of the friendly atmosphere that they create in the town
centre at weekends and this operation is aimed maintaining
this.
“During the course of the operation, we will
also continue to look at any underlying issues which may be
contributing to the susceptibility of young people to alcohol abuse
and subsequent involvement in incidents of crime and anti-social
behaviour.”
The summer operation comes under the banner
‘Operation Protect’, which sees Dorset Police and its partners
working to tackle violent crime in all forms through increased
enforcement and prevention activity in town centres across
Dorset.