Community patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour in Weymouth are set to hit the streets soon – after the scheme was hit by delays.

The Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS), introduced by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council and approved by Dorset Police, will see officers patrolling the streets focusing on the town centre, railway station, the Rodwell Trail and the Marsh.

Their introduction comes in response to rising concerns about street drinkers, nuisance beggars and open drug dealing.

An update report to be seen by the management committee tomorrow says the deployment has been delayed due to training and equipment issues. However they will be active soon, and the council is now recruiting more officers for evenings.

A council spokesman could not give a date where the patrols will start but it is understood to be this month.

The patrols will be able to enforce the Anti-Social Behaviour Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which came into effect on August 20 and restricts, among other things, the consumption of alcohol in public places and begging.

Neighbourhood police officers have been busy enforcing the PSPO – but with the introduction of the patrols it will free officers up to deal with other jobs.

CSAS patrol officers will be able to:

* Require surrender of alcohol in a designated area

* Issue fixed penalty notices for begging and other offences

* Enforce the rough sleeper protocol and engage agencies with new rough sleepers

* Deter street drug use and intimidatory gatherings

* Require names and addresses in relation to witnessed offences

* Be ambassadors for the town centre and ‘eyes & ears’ for problems

Cllr Mike Byatt, Community Safety Briefholder, said: “The updated Weymouth and Portland Anti-Social Behaviour Related Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) 2018 came into force last month and sets out that anti-social behaviour is not acceptable. Our advice remains that if anti-social behaviour causes concern or nuisance Dorset Police should be contacted on 101 or you can report on-line at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online

“The borough council is also working with partner agencies to create a Community Safety Accreditation Scheme for Weymouth; this will see extra uniformed patrols taking place in the town centre.

"We are committed to putting extra resources into community safety. Setting up a new scheme where uniformed officers have accredited police powers as well as council enforcement powers has to be done properly. This includes vetting candidates, carrying out extensive security checks, as well as fitting equipment such as body armour and providing detailed training.”