Weymouth

Knife Crime

Location:
Weymouth

Issue:
Op Guardian is our operational response to knife crime - particularly children that carry knives in our community.

Planned action to tackle this issue:
- We will identify those most likely to carry knifes within our community.
- We will work with partner agencies such as Child Social Care and Youth Justice Service to engage those identified.
- We will support these individuals to change their behaviour.
- We will be robust if they are found to be carrying a knife.
- We will identify the places and space where knife crime is most likely.

June update:
- A warrant was conducted where weapons, drugs, and other stolen items were located. A man has attended Weymouth Police Station for an interview in relation to these items
- Our PCSO’s engaged with the members of the public using our knife arch to raise awareness about the dangers of knife crime
- Op Guardian visits to children identified as habitual knife carriers have continued with support from partner agencies to educate and deter

May update:
- We continue to engage with those people identified as being habitual knife carriers on a regular basis
- We work with parents and partner agencies to understand the reasons why people feel that they need to carry weapons, and to educate and deescalate the risks to those young people
- There is regular multi-agency work to ensure that the correct agencies are involved to allow positive relationships to be built and to support and divert young people away from carrying weapons
- A 14 year old boy remains on police bail following an incident involving a weapon in March, our enquiries are continuing into this incident

April update:
This issue remains a local priority for the team due to the harm it causes to the local community and we will continue to focus our efforts in this area, by working with partner agencies and targeting those involved through education and enforcement. Recent action taken:
- Multi-Agency meeting with all partners taking actions to continue engagement with those identified
- Regular unannounced visits conducted by NPT
- One of the identified young people, a 14 year old boy arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article in public, possession of an offensive weapon in public and assault. He has been bailed while enquiries continue, with conditions to prevent further offending.

March update:
- 6x persons identified as habitual knife carriers
- All 6 discussed at multi-agency meeting with all partners taking actions to engage with those identified

February update:
- NPT have engaged with these individuals and are conducting weekly unannounced visits to deter them from knife carrying

ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour)

Location :
Jubilee Retail Park

Issue :
Reports of groups of young people causing nuisance in stores, throwing items and being abusive.

Planned action to tackle this issue:
- Speak to local businesses to understand the extent of the issue, when it happens and who is responsible.
- Liaise with local partners to problem solve the issue.

June update:
- Despite a decrease in reports of ASB, patrols have continued in the Jubilee Retail & Business Park. A visible presence is key to ensure this remains a safe area for the community to enjoy
- Partnership working has continued to ensure dispersal notices and prosecutions are sought for those responsible. This has been vital to ensure a consistent approach to those offending and to offer reassurance to those effected
- These patrols will continue throughout the summer period when it's likely we'll see a significant increase in the number of people visiting the park area

May update:
- Patrols of Jubilee Retail Park and the businesses have continued throughout April
- With the assistance of the Town CCTV Cameras and the ShopWatch Radio system, those choosing to engage in Anti-Social Behaviour continue to be targeted through the use of dispersal notices and prosecutions
- While the reports of ASB have decreased, there are still pockets of issues where staff in businesses are being subjected to ASB and assaults. This is unacceptable, and we will look to ensure that those responsible face the consequences of their actions

April update:
This issue remains a local priority for the team due to the harm it causes to the local community and we will continue to focus our efforts in this area, by targeting our patrols and continuing engagement with businesses involved. This months actions:
- Officers continue to conduct high visibility patrols in the retail park, working with businesses and security to deal with any offenders robustly
- A 14 year old boy has been issued with an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) due to his continued involvement in ASB in the area
- Reported ASB in the area has decreased i but with the warmer weather arriving this will remain a priority and our patrols and engagement will continue to ensure these areas remain a safe place for young people, and older people to visit and socialise

March update:
- Officers continue to conduct high visibility patrols in the retail park and deal with any offenders robustly.
- Several repeat ASB offenders have been identified and are currently being managed through Dorset Council's Consequences Scheme.
- Several businesses have been supported to join the shop watch radio scheme – a supportive measure to ensure they can seek assistance from CSAS, the BID ranger and get Dorset Council monitored CCTV cameras to capture evidence at time of incident.

February update:
- Increased patrols in the retail park.
- Discussed this issue with partners in the Daytime Economy meeting.
- Arranged meetings with the managers of the affected stores in order to work with them to prevent further issues/ design out the issue.
- Briefed Town CCTV operators to be aware of the situation and monitor the retail park.
- Held meeting with local targeted youth workers - so they can deploy in the area.
- We have identified two young people involved who have been placed on the Dorset Councils 'Consequences' Scheme.