Money from Dorset Crime and Police Commissioner will be used for Somerford clean up

PART of a £5,000 grant from Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner will be used by primary schools in Christchurch for performances about issues like county lines drug gangs.

The shows will be organised by youth charity Vita Nova, which helps schools create plays about crime and addiction, including the practice of ‘cuckooing’ – whereby a vulnerable person’s home is taken over by a criminal gang.

They are part of a Safer Somerford Programme by Sovereign Network Group (SNG), BCP Council, Dorset Police and local schools.

Some of the money from the crime commissioner will also go towards tackling environmental issues, with a community clean-up to maintain “overgrown crime hotspots”, and there will be more engagement with residents to improve the reporting of anti-social behaviour and crime.

The cash comes from the Operation Relentless Community Fund, aimed at combating anti-social behaviour.

The Safer Somerford Programme was launched in June this year and has since held a community clean-up day around Hunt Road and Dorset Road; clearing litter and fly-tipping hotspots and trimming grass and hedges to improve green spaces.

Three recent Days of Action have also been held in Somerford following concerns raised by the local community regarding drug-related activity, anti-social behaviour and violent crime.

In August police officers took targeted action in the area, conducting three stop searches, logging five intelligence reports, and carrying out five disruption surveys.

As a result, a 25-year-old man from Bournemouth was arrested for suspected involvement in supplying class A drugs and driving offences. A second man, aged 32, was also arrested and charged with theft and using threatening language.

Diane Humphries, SNG’s community investment and partnership lead for Dorset, said: “SNG is far more than just a housing association; we work to create strong and safe communities where residents can thrive and feel a part of. Working with partners in local authorities, community organisations and the police enables us to achieve far more collectively than any of us could acting alone.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Dan Cullen, of Bournemouth East and Christchurch police, said: “Over recent months we have been working hard to tackle the issues that matter most to the residents of Somerford. Working with our partner agencies, we have been carrying out activity to disrupt and deter anti-soical behaviour and improve community safety.

“It is vitally important to us all that we continue our efforts going forward to ensure that residents and visitors of Somerford can enjoy their time in the area. We would encourage anyone who wishes to pass on information or report any concerns to please speak to a member of the neighbourhood policing team.”