Poundbury: Concern at increase in yobbish behaviour

They have spoken of their concerns amid reports of teenagers smoking drugs in the streets and an OAP telling how he was verbally abused by youths in Poundbury. 

A burnt out moped on the Great Field and a vandalised bench in Poundbury's Quiet Space have also been reported.

As previously reported, videos have been circulating on social media showing youths targeting properties in Poundbury, leaving some residents frightened by the anti-social behaviour.

The videos show teens aggressively kicking down gates in Poundbury, among other acts of vandalism.

A business owner in the area said their outdoor seating had been turned over in the wave of vandalism to hit the area.

They said that posting the videos online shows a ‘lack of maturity’ which has been influenced by social media.

The owner said: “I think they’re desensitised to it and don’t understand what it does to businesses, or when they’re targeting homes and what it is doing to the vulnerable people of the area - it’s awful.”

Two male teenagers were detained by Dorset Police in connection with the damage to garden gates and are attending voluntary police interviews.

There have been other incidents of vandalism in the Poundbury area over the last month.

Residents near the Great Field have also been complaining about youngsters using the site of the play park in the evenings.

Also recently, graffiti appearing around Poundbury saw three youths questioned by police in connection with criminal damage in the area, officers said.

A 75-year-old pensioner said he felt ‘threatened’ by the rise of anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said: “I see them wandering through the alleys and sometimes there can be up to 15 of them all at once and they are using drugs because I’ve smelt the marijuana.”

“I was walking towards the Queen Mother Square when I saw around three of them on my side of the street. I made way for them, and they called me a ‘silly old git.’ They just have a very anti-social feel about them,” they added.

A resident who found a burnt out moped on the Great Field, Poundbury said it has made them feel ‘more wary’ of their surroundings.

A bench in the Quiet Space had been ‘broken and vandalised’ within the last week, prompting the gates of this public space to now be locked every night.

Dorset Council councillor for Poundbury, Councillor Richard Biggs, said: “It’s really disappointing and disturbing for residents and our thoughts go out to them.

“We have regular meetings with the Duchy and the council about the Great Field, and the Community Safety Team are aware of the issues," he added.

Cllr Biggs said there is 'hope' for the behaviour to 'drop off naturally' now the temperature outside is dropping. He said that other than putting up CCTV 'everywhere’ the actions won’t stop.

He commended the ‘great community network’ of Poundbury over this issue, as they have acted and cooperated with the police well.  

Neighbourhood Inspector of West Dorset Ged Want said: “We fully acknowledge the significant impact that anti-social behaviour has on the local community. It is a priority of the neighbourhood policing team to ensure that residents feel safe. We will take proactive action in response to any issues reported in the Poundbury area.

“We made door-to-door visits to properties where anti-social behaviour was taking place and we have followed this up by liaising with the local authority and relevant agencies.”

He said members of the local neighbourhood policing team will continue to patrol the area and have asked for the public to engage with them and raise any concerns.

This is part of Dorset Police’s Operation Relentless, which takes a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour in Dorchester.

Site owners, the Duchy of Cornwall, said they are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour taking place in Poundbury, as well as in other areas of Dorchester.

They said: "These are Dorset Police matters, but the Duchy is working closely with the relevant parties to identify appropriate outcomes.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.