A NEW community group has been set up to deal with issues of anti-social behaviour at Weymouth harbourside.

'Respect Weymouth' is calling for action on issues surrounding drunken behaviour which, as reported, is blighting the lives of residents living in the streets around Custom House Quay.

A representative of the group, who asked to remain anonymous, issued the below statement:

There appears to have been a complete lack of planning and risk management in anticipation of public toilet needs on the harbour. At the start of the week leading up to the Bank Holiday, they were closed daily at 6pm. This led to significant public disorder and toileting in and around the area.

In 3 hours, residents had to endure over 60 toileting events against private property in one road alone. There have been no additional, temporary toilet facilities. And signage to toilets has been inadequate.

Residents have felt very let down by the lack of planning for these foreseeable impacts. And lessons don't appear to have been learned from the last time restrictions were lifted, against the same again with a busy Bank Holiday and sunshine forecast.

As a result, the local community was forced to deal with these disgusting issues again. Only after disorder happened and the community were forced to present complaints to responsible authorities, were changes made. And these happened quite quickly.

READ MORE: Brawls, litter and urinating in the streets-Outcry over drunken crowds at harbour

However:

Why is the town's Public Space Protection Order for the consumption of alcohol with significant ASB in a public place, which applies around the harbour, not being enforced? Especially after 9pm.

Why are the police reluctant to enforce the law on public toileting, even though it's an offence under The Public Order Act?

Why have security and covid enforcement officers been finishing at 9pm, when the majority of problems have occurred after this?

Why are local shops with off-sales facilities not taking a responsible attitude towards the impacts they are creating in and around our beautiful harbour? Off-sale stocks appear to be fast becoming the core business of some of these. And the licensing objectives of the Licensing Act are not being upheld for those living and working in the local area.

Why are we allowing the beautiful heritage and culture of our working harbour, with an apparent vision for family friendly, al-fresco dining, be spoiled by those visiting with only one agenda in mind, fuelled by off-sales into the early hours?

Is it time to prevent off-sale drinking in a public place, away from seated service of hospitality venues altogether here? Or after a set time, say 10pm?

The vision for the harbour feels great, but the ground truth and reality of what's happening, with the potential for it to become a mainstay feature, is fast turning it into an intimidating, no-go area.

We have created a small action group to work with responsible authorities to try and resolve some of these issues. To date, constructive discussions have taken place, but there is much to do.