Close to £30,000 has been spent on tackling anti-social behaviour through a series of community grants in south and west Dorset - as a new round of funding opens.
In the last three years, the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner has awarded money to ten groups from around the Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and Sherborne areas.
The grants have been used to help prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in communities, and in some cases, have provided projects to keep young people engaged, or used for CCTV to act as a deterrent.
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The next round of applications for the Operation Relentless Community Fund is now open to community groups, charitable organisations and community interest companies (CIC) will be able to apply for funding from £100 - £5,000.
In Weymouth there has already been multiple grants awarded to help tackle ASB.
The town council received £5,000 in the summer of 2023, which it used to help patrol the streets with two extra Security Industry Authority (SIA) officers.
A spokesperson for the Community Security Accredited Scheme (CSAS) officers, already in Weymouth, said: “Having the extra boots on the ground in the form of SIA officers meant that us CSAS officers could spend more time focusing on the town centre and assisting in other area where support was needed.”
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Weymouth Skatepark Association also saw £1,700 come its way to provide free skateboarding sessions to young people who may be at risk of being involved in ASB.
A spokesperson for the skatepark association said: “We have young riders coming here who we know are struggling with peer pressure, especially with low level ASB that they find it hard to get out of being involved in.
“Coming to the skatepark on a regular basis has helped them to pull away from this type of behaviour and become part of a supportive community.”
Cameras have also been installed by Chickerell Town Council, who received £1,599, and also on Portland, as part of the No to ASB in Castletown campaign, which was awarded £2,187.60.
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Police cadets in Weymouth also shared £1,650 with cadets from Bournemouth, which was used for litter picking and safety equipment, whilst £5,000 was awarded to BCHA to fund the Horse Course Restart programme in Weymouth.
Further north in the county £5,000 was given to Sherborne Town Council for a community outreach sports programme, and £4,980 was spent on employment support for 12 people with criminal convictions throughout Dorset via the Cleansheet charity.
PCC David Sidwick said: "Since 2019, there has been a 25 per cent reduction in ASB across Dorset with a year-to-date drop of 14 per cent.
"Last year, throughout the summer when there is heightened demand, every area of Dorset saw a significant reduction in ASB, however, I know that this means little to residents who are still suffering from ASB incidents taking place outside their homes and I am committed to continuing to work with Dorset Police and local community groups as we strive to make Dorset the safest county.”
Applications for funding are open until April 22 and to find out more about how to apply visit: www.dorset.pcc.police.uk/working-in-partnership/operation-relentless-community-fund-asb/
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