This week I want to tell you about a scheme which officially launched in Bournemouth this weekend, aimed at reducing organised crime and improving community safety. ‘Bournemouth Together – The Clear, Hold, Build Strategy’ is a partnership project which has seen Dorset Police increase targeted activity to reduce criminal behaviour such as drug offences, antisocial behaviour, violent crime, and the exploitation of vulnerable people in the town centre. 

The project is developed from the Clear, Hold, Build model, a national initiative from the Home Office which takes a three-phase approach focused on eliminating serious organised crime from an area, building community resilience, improving trust and confidence in the police, and making the area a safer place to live and work.

Dorset Police and South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SW ROCU) are working closely with partners including Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council to strengthen communities and prevent those at risk from being drawn into crime.

Since the project started with the ‘Clear’ phase in March, officers have been carrying out warrants and increased patrols in the Lower Gardens, West Cliff and Old Christchurch Road and have already seen success in removing organised crime groups from the streets. Forty-nine people have been arrested, with illegal drugs, vapes and tobacco products amounting to £200,000 also seized. As part of the work, 14 adults and five children have been safeguarded and are receiving support.

These results show why Bournemouth Together is such a crucial initiative. It is designed to make a real difference to the lives of those who live and work in Bournemouth town centre. I recognise the concerns about issues such as drug activity and anti-social behaviour in this area; that’s why I want to assure the public we are listening and working closely with our partners to ensure proper change takes place. Now is the time for robust action but we need your support to make sure these changes are permanent.

Partnership work is vital to the success of this initiative, and Dorset Police alongside BCP Council are working with partners including the Town Team, St Mungo’s homelessness charity and Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID), to provide reassurance that dealing with these issues is a priority, but also to encourage reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Reporting incidents and intelligence is vital. The Clear, Hold, Build initiative needs community buy-in and we are all determined to deliver meaningful long-term change for the community. I am urging those who live and work in the town to contact us with information. Bournemouth is a safe place to live, work and visit, but if you want to see improvements, work with us, and help make the town centre even safer.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner

Report your intelligence

Anyone wanting to provide intelligence should report it via the Dorset Police online service at www.dorset.police.uk/intelligence or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency or if anyone is in immediate danger.

Your information will be treated as confidential, but if you prefer to report anonymously you can do so through Crimestoppers. You can call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year on 0800 555 111 or use the non-traceable online form at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/