I was delighted to launch round five of the Operation Relentless Community Fund in Dorset last week, giving local organisations the chance to apply for funding to help drive down anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Since setting up the fund four years ago to support Dorset based community groups and charity projects to tackle ASB, we have awarded £150,700 to 35 initiatives with some fantastic results achieved.

Reports of  ASB in our county have fallen to the lowest level since 2007/08, with ASB across all of Dorset falling by 32% since before the pandemic thanks to dedicated work by Dorset Police and partner agencies alongside my Office.

One of the initiatives under Operation Relentless which has proved to be successful was in Shillingstone, where money in round four was given to the Parish Council for two new CCTV systems. The eight cameras are proving an effective deterrent to ASB, with reports saying the locations have been far quieter since the installation in November.

The fund also supported an AFC Bournemouth Community Trust programme designed to boost practical skills and confidence of young people, enhancing employment prospects. People not in education, employment or training and the homeless received advice on increasing resilience and interview techniques, alongside football training. One parent said their teenage autistic son rarely left his bedroom, as he was suffering with high anxiety and low mood, but joining the club’s programme drastically helped the boy’s self-esteem and changed their outlook on life.

Another recipient was Bournemouth’s Vita Nova Community Arts Charity, who put on age-appropriate workshops in schools discussing topics from ‘stranger danger’ to county lines.

These examples demonstrate the broad range of ways Operation Relentless funds have been used previously to make Dorset a better place to live, and I look forward to seeing what groups from all corners of the county do during the next round to continue our progress further.

I am clear that enforcement alone cannot combat crimes. To tackle root causes rather than the symptoms, we need clear prevention and education pathways such as creating more diversion schemes across Dorset, by supporting projects that benefit young people and stops them entering the Criminal Justice System.

That is what the Operation Relentless Community fund does. It brings practical solutions to Dorset’s problems, so if you are a charity or local project and fit the criteria – I would encourage you to bid for funding. Together, we can banish ASB and make our county safer for everyone.

Applications from £100 up to £5,000 are welcomed, but the projects must address ASB and have a local focus. To find out more please visit our webpage here.