A community has vowed to unite to stamp out anti-social behaviour blighting the Littlemoor area.
As previously reported, Littlemoor - particularly around its shopping centre - has been marred by nuisance behaviour, including reports of youths causing damage with catapults, shop thefts, bottles being thrown at delivery vans and even a call-out to a young person said to be in the possession of a machete - with police stepping up patrols.
In response to the these reports, a meeting was held by Littlemoor Safety Forum (LSF) at the Community Centre, off Canberra Road, on Monday evening (January 10), which provided an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns to community leaders and have face-to-face talks with patrolling police officers.
Mike Andrews, manager of the Home Bargains branch based at the shopping centre, said: "We have had recent incidents of shoplifting, which we can deal with.
"What we cannot deal with is people entering the store when it's closed, which has happened.
"We want to work with other businesses and the police to tackle this. It's intimidating, which isn't fair on our staff."
Rachel Janaway, targeted youth worker, Dorset Council explained that detached youth work is currently happening on Littlemoor on a weekly basis, working with young people and community members to build positive effective relationships.
The aim of the work is to wrap around these young people to ensure they are kept safe within the communities they live in.
Littlemoor Road resident Chris Davis said: "I personally haven't had issues with youngsters on the estate. There's a lot of good children, but it does seem to be the minority that get the bad publicity."
LSF co-ordinator Tony A'Lee said: "There are good children on the estate, but there does seem to be about 20 individuals that cause the problems.
"We should not appease the ones that cannot control themselves. We have to work constructively."
Sergeant Natalie Skinner of Dorset Police provided an update on reports of youths using sharp weapons to intimidate members of staff at the shops as well as residents within the shopping centre.
She said: "For most searches there has been no knives or weapons found on individuals.
"I would urge all residents to keep contacting the police if they have any issues, or need to report any incidents of anti-social behaviour."
For non-emergencies, contact police on 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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