Residents heard about police efforts to tackle crime in Weymouth and Portland – including a surge in violence – at the inaugural Weymouth Town Council Annual Town Assembly.

The event was open for the public to hear from and question officials from the new Weymouth Town Council and other authorities.

Town Clerk Jane Biscombe, Dorset Police Inspector Barry Gosling, Matthew Kendall of Dorset Council and Daniel Cadisch, Chief Executive of Weymouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau, were in attendance to give presentations and take questions.

The assembly was chaired by Graham Winter, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council.

Ms Biscombe informed the assembly of the key budget areas, which includes £1,056,060 for the beach, £1,097,335 for greenspaces, £405,190 for public conveniences, £126,000 for property and £69,000 for civic and councillors.

Insp Gosling from Weymouth & Portland Police talked about the varying crime rates in the area.

He highlighted that last year, there was a 9.7% reduction in dwelling burglary, a 50.7% reduction in theft from vehicles, a 19.8% reduction in commercial burglary and a 13.2% reduction in criminal damage.

He also raised some of the problems that the police have had to deal with, including a 17.6% increase in violent crime and a 14.6% increase in common assaults.

Insp Gosling further described the police’s efforts to tackle the night time economy and daytime anti-social behaviour (ASB).

He cited a 17.6% reduction generally in ASB across Weymouth and Portland and a 38% reduction in Melcombe Regis (town centre).

Daniel Cadisch from Weymouth Citizen’s Advice Bureau gave anecdotes and figures on the people that the bureau had helped.

The service offers advice on a range of issues, including debt, Universal Credit and welfare benefits.

Over the 2018-19 period, the bureau helped 1,780 residents with 8,373 issues.

The people helped gained a combined total of £1,389,168 in financial income.

Figures show that many people helped are either disabled or have a long-term health condition.

Mr Cadisch said that anyone who needs help should call the Dorset Advice Line.

Throughout the evening, there were issues raised by the public and councillors, which included the sharing of a petition from the Budmouth Anti-Academy Action group and a plea from Extinction Rebellion for Weymouth Town Council to consider the climate.

Weymouth Town Council came into existence on April 1, 2019.

It has 29 councillors, up to 55 staff and a budget of £3.34m a year.

The Annual Town Assemblies are an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns and raise issues with the council.

The next Town Assembly will take place in 2020.