A mother has launched a campaign in a bid to make a Weymouth beauty spot safer.

A petition demands better security on the Rodwell Trail path and cycleway after a spate of crimes including violent and drug-related incidents.

The online petition has already gathered more than 30,000 signatures.

Amy-Jayne Kilvert's petition calls for CCTV cameras, better lighting and regular patrols of uniformed officers on the path.

Miss Kilvert, who has relatives who live near the trail in Wyke, said she was motivated to launch the petition after a particularly shocking incident in March when a teenage boy was filmed being beaten up by a group of young people.

"I just thought: enough is enough," said Miss Kilvert, a single mother who lives on Portland. "It was the final straw."

She added: "Everyone knows there's no CCTV there, so people can get away with anything."

She pointed also to an incident last year in which used needles were found on the trail.

Miss Kilvert, who works as a senior beautician at a Portland spa, admitted to being 'overwhelmed' by the response to the petition. "I only expected about 100 people to sign," she said. "The reaction has been on another level."

Cllr Jon Orrell said the petition's demands were 'reasonable', but also called for measures to stop young people turning to crime out of boredom, and also prevent drug users from misusing green spaces like the trail.

"It's not just about enforcement," said Cllr Orrell. "There need to be targeted interventions for drug users."

He added that he saw a clear link between recent cuts to youth services and youth clubs and the incidence of youth violence on the trail. "There need to be healthy alternatives for young people," he noted. "The devil makes work for idle hands."

Cllr Christine James applauded Miss Kilvert's initiative but asked where the money would come from. "To put up and monitor CCTV, we're talking about hundreds of thousands of pounds," she noted. "Who's going to pay for it?"

She also stressed that the police were already doing 'everything they could'.

Inspector Steve Yeoman of Weymouth Police said patrols had already increased in the vicinity of the Rodwell Trail.

"These [patrols] are not always high-visibility, but please be assured that police are actively patrolling the area," he said.

“We are committed to working with our partners, including the local authority, to tackle anti-social behaviour and violent crime in the community."

Cllr Francis Drake, who speaks on community safety for the borough council, said: “Incidents that ... have led to the petition are relatively rare and I know that the police are investigating, and have increased their visibility in the area."

He added that a scheme was in process that would allow the council to employ uniformed officers with some police powers in key areas.

“Putting in lighting and CCTV would cost a lot of money and is beyond our resources at this time," he said. "However, we will look at the feasibility in case resources become available."

You can sign the petition at https://bit.ly/2H9XCFo.