Anger over yobs at Weymouth train station

Traders and community leaders are calling for action to deal with the anti-social behaviour occurring around Weymouth train station.

Observers say it has become a gathering place for groups of people drinking and taking drugs.

'Disgusting' behaviour has been reported, including fighting, passers by being verbally abused, people urinating in the street and even a man and woman engaged in a sex act.

Authorities are aware of the problem and the police have been carrying out operations to target problem groups.

But problems are persisting and people claim the behaviour outside the station entrance is giving visitors a terrible first impression of the town.

Taxi driver Gary MacKenzie believes the behaviour at the station had got worse over the last year.

He said: “It is disgusting. It is bad for the town, it is bad for business, it is bad for all of us.”

Neil Robertson, owner of the Chew Choo shop at the station, said it was affecting business.

He added: "It gets mentioned by customers to me every day." 

Usually around this time of year he puts tables and chairs outside the shop so people can sit down, but he said he had not done this yet because of the anti-social behaviour occurring outside.

He said: "The last month has been the worst I've known."
Paul Farwell, owner of The Railway Tavern pub and The Clifton Hotel opposite the station, said: “During the Olympics the council said the station was a gateway to Weymouth – and now the gatekeepers are a bunch of scumbags.”

He claimed the anti-social behaviour was already affecting business.

He said: “How would you like to go to a hotel, look out the window and see people urinating in the streets?” 

Mr Farwell suggested the behaviour of people outside the station was having a significant effect on how the town is perceived by visitors.

He said some visitors who observed the behaviour may not come back.

John Morse, chairman of the Waterside Weymouth Community Forum, said: “It did clear up for a while, but it seems to have come back at the railway station.”

He added: “Until we have someone controlling it, it’s not going to get any better.”

He suggested that perhaps naming and shaming those involved in the behaviour might help the situation.

Barry Thompson, one of the staff at The Railway Tavern pub, added: “A lovely town like this does not need behaviour like that."

Borough council spokesman for community safety Cllr Francis Drake said: “It is an ongoing problem and for some reason people keep on hanging around the station. I think it is caused by people coming down from London with drugs on the train."

He added: “It needs more police presence there and we need to work with the railway police at the same time because they need to monitor the trains more.”

Cllr Drake thought the situation at the station had worsened over the last 12 months.

He said: “It is not a place I like to walk around at night to be honest.”

Sergeant Jane Moore, from the Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This location has been identified as an area that suffers from anti-social behaviour and we actively focus high visibility patrols in the area.

“The Weymouth Neighbourhood Policing Team also works in partnership with British Transport Police and the anti-social behaviour and community safety teams from the Dorset Councils Partnership and we carry out patrols and engagement events at this location.

“The station and surrounding area is BTP’s responsibility, however, Dorset Police patrols this location daily and deals with anti-social behaviour or offences.”

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “We are aware there are challenges in and around Weymouth station and are working with Dorset Police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“Officers patrol the station and the surrounding area to deter and detect offenders and reassure station staff and members of the public that the police are taking positive action tackling offenders. We will take robust action against anyone who is seen to be breaking the law.”