Police focus on estate

8:26am Saturday 6th September 2008

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POLICE are to focus their efforts on a Weymouth estate where groups of youths are making residents' lives a misery.

And they tried to clear up any confusion today by making clear the right way to contact officers about the trouble.

Police are regularly alerted to the play area in Wiltshire Ave-nue at Westham where young people have been congregating at night and causing havoc.

During the latest spate, some residents called a mobile phone number listed in a Dorset Police booklet to request police attention.

The number for the Westham Safer Neighbourhood Team appears in the Safer Dorset Handbook which has been distributed to homes in the county.

But beat manager PC Adam Hegenbarth said the number has been advertised so people can contact a member of the team about non-urgent matters.

The mobile phone was switched off at the time and several messages were left - which were not picked up until two days later.

PC Hegenbarth said: "The messages were left by residents asking officers to come quickly.

"Fortunately, other people also called the police that night on the usual number so officers did respond.

"I'd like to make clear that the mobile phone number is not for incidents of this nature.

"If people want to tell us about a crime or give us information then they should call 01305 222222. If a crime is in progress or life is in danger they should dial 999."

Youngsters have been getting drunk and making a noise, damaging fences and cars and generally causing a nuisance in the Wiltshire Road area.

Police believe young people from other parts of Weymouth are being drawn to the area, fuelling problems.

The play area is surrounded by housing, mainly occupied by elderly people, and residents are understandably concerned.

PC Hegenbarth said police will be taking a 'robust' approach to those indulging in anti-social behaviour.

He said some individuals were becoming more confrontational with Police Community Support Officers.

Anyone with information can contact Weymouth police in confidence on 01305 222222.