Published on Thursday 19 August 2021
Residents and visitors are benefitting from an increase in the number of Community Safety Accredited Scheme (CSAS) officers patrolling the streets of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole following a recent recruitment drive.
Over the last few months, BCP Council has invested in an additional six CSAS officers to work alongside the existing team of eight officers within the neighbourhood policing teams to address anti-social behaviour and low-level crime on the streets.
This includes four new officers for Bournemouth Town Centre as well as the permanent appointment of the CSAS officer employed to work along Ashley Road in Poole to help combat the rise in anti-social behaviour in these areas.
Councillor May Haines, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety commented:
"I’m delighted that we’ve been able to invest in additional CSAS officers to work across our conurbation. They are vital to the work we do in addressing anti-social behaviour on our streets and in certain areas their presence is needed more to help resolve issues and make all our residents feel safe where they live, work and play. In addition, we will continue to fund the CSAS office for Ashley Road in Poole, which was previously funded through CIL."
"We want to empower our communities so everyone feels safe, engaged and included and through our Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign we’re able to do just that and install a sense of pride in our place."
CSAS officers have delegated powers from the Chief Constable and work alongside our support partners to ensure that the balance of enforcement and support is managed to make long term interventions that will support clients away from addictions and homelessness. They have a wide remit including youth anti-social behaviour, street drinking, begging and street related anti-social behaviour.
The council’s Cleaner, Greener, Safer campaign brings forward initiatives that really matter to residents in order to maximise on the positivity and pride across the conurbation.