Throughout December 2018, there were reports of 33 anti-social behaviour crimes within Charminster and Queens park.
Charminster Neighbourhood Policing Team priorities for December 2018 were to deal with begging and street drinking on the high street and surrounding area and minimise drug related issues in Charminster and Queen’s Park area.
Queens park and Charminsters Councillor, Mark Anderson said: “A few years ago, there was a problem with anti-social behaviour and students.
“I think there was about six or seven years ago where we were having issues with student parties”
He continued: “but I can’t remember the last time we had a complaint.”
Throughout Charminster there has been a range of changes in the years to decrease the amount of anti-social behaviour, Including neighbourhood watches throughout the days and late evenings.
Association of Dorset Watches adviser Deirdre Redstone believes there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour.
She said: “I wouldn’t say it’s students, it’s a younger age groups, mainly because the youth service has shut down all the youth centres like the Henry Brown centre.”
She continued:
“There’s simply nowhere to go now.”
Ms Redstone fears that libraries are being targeted and there has been a lot of low level anti-social behaviour.
Ms Redstone added: “Young people are messing around in libraries and not letting people come in and more worrying anti-social behaviour like graffiti and dumping stuff.
The other age group of course are fly tipping, that’s all older people.”
Richard Berry, resident of Charminster for 19 years said: “It’s never been a problem, the stuff we get around here is groups going past drunk, if it was more regular it would be annoying.”
He continued: “There’s been occasional bits of damage to cars with the wing mirrors but it’s been alright.
I think were quite lucky in this area because there’s not a high density of students.”
To report anti-social behaviour, go to: https://www.dorset.police.uk/contact-us/ask-ned-how-can-we-help/
