Police and partners focus on keeping young people safe in Christchurch this summer

A multi-agency operation to keep young people safe while

they’re out in Christchurch

during the summer holidays is in full swing.

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 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.