Published on Tuesday 21 May 2024
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council remains committed to improving Bournemouth town centre, with a dedicated May Day of Action set to focus on community engagement.
The Day of Action, planned for Thursday 23 May, will bring attention to the collaborative efforts of BCP Council and its partners to reduce littering, anti-social behaviour (ASB), illegal parking, uphold trading standards and enforce Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) in the locality.
The Day of Action will see Bournemouth Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) Rangers help to support the town centre and local businesses through welcoming visitors, building relationships with and supporting local businesses, and assisting the council and police in helping to keep people safe.
Paul Kinvig, Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said:
“Town Rangers play a vital and much valued role in supporting primarily the Bournemouth Town Centre BID levy payers with the increasingly impactful issue of retail crime, ASB and shop worker abuse, without any formal powers.
“Additionally, they provide information, guidance and reassurance to members of the public as they visit the town centre.
“Working in conjunction with the statutory agencies responsible for these challenging areas is an important principle for us in seeing real, positive change.”
WISE Litter Enforcement Officers will also be patrolling, while Community Network Action (CAN) volunteers lead on litter picking and gardening activities.
Residents can sign up and participate in litter picking and gardening sessions between 10.00am – 11.30am, 1.00pm – 2.30pm, and 4pm- 5pm, with all necessary equipment provided.
Amy Collins, Head of VCS Development at Community Action Network, said:
“Hosting the litter picking and gardening sessions provides an excellent opportunity for our community including businesses, schools and local residents to come together and make a tangible difference in our local environment.
“We believe that through collective action, we can create a healthier, more sustainable place for everyone to enjoy."
Street cleansing is a priority area of improvement which the council is looking to enact in the town centre following the Town Centre Survey last year.
The survey offered residents an opportunity to have their say on changes they wanted to see in the area, as well as propose new ideas for development, which were later discussed at the Town Centre Summit with the key individuals, businesses and organisations best placed to make them happen.
During January’s Day of Action, Trading Standards seized over 350 illegal vapes and cigarettes, alongside 40 counterfeit bags; more than 70 people visited the stand to engage with our teams; Economic Development visited and advised 15 businesses; CSAS cleared a squat of occupants and referred three homeless individuals to St Mungo’s; Licensing undertook 15 vehicle and driver inspections; and WISE Litter Enforcement issued seven fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for littering.
For the upcoming Day of Action, an engagement stand will be situated outside Natwest bank in Bournemouth Square between 10am and 2pm, providing an opportunity for residents and businesses to engage with council teams and partners to understand what is being done to improve Bournemouth town centre, ask questions and give feedback.
Personnel from the council’s Public Protection, Community Safety (CSAS), ASB, Parking Services and Economic Development teams will be present, alongside partners from Dorset Police.
Dorset Police will also be operating a high-tech knife arch in the Square, helping people to understand the risks and consequences of carrying a knife.
The initiative is in line with BCP Council’s Knife Crime Awareness campaign, which hopes to decrease instances of knife crime whilst raising awareness for the issue and educating young people.
The campaign follows the tragic death of Cameron Hamilton, 18, last summer, who was fatally stabbed in Bournemouth Square following an altercation on a night out.
Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council and Portfolio Holder for Dynamic Places, said:
“The council continues to prioritise Bournemouth town centre, not just with words, but with action.
“This latest Day of Action provides another opportunity for residents and businesses to see first-hand the positive, collaborative work that is being done by the council and its partners to enact positive and sought-after change in the locality.
“We are already beginning to see the benefit of our work, such as a decrease in reported instances of ASB, but there is still much work to be done.
“I encourage people to come down and engage with our teams and partners, and use the event as an opportunity to understand more about what we are doing and our ongoing commitments as shaped by the Town Centre Survey.
“I have been clear from the start that, if we are to achieve our objectives, it must be a shared effort. We will continue to do all we can to remove barriers, work alongside and empower our communities to do more in the town centre.”
Other areas where residents and businesses requested improvement include parking enforcement, enabling the commercial use of empty premises, and organising days of action
Should residents or businesses be unable to participate in the Day of Action, you can stay updated via regular updates posted across BCP Council’s social media channels.
Editor’s Notes:
Sign up for litter picking and gardening sessions with CAN by visiting: https://forms.office.com/e/Ti41shQxg9 or contact Amy Collins at: amy.collins@can100.org
Follow BCP Council on social media: Find us on social media | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)
Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) specify an area where activities are taking place that are or are likely to be detrimental to the local community's quality of life, and impose conditions or restrictions on people using that area.
Instances of ASB are reported to have reduced by 6% in Bournemouth town centre
BCP Council launches Transport Safety Pilot - Transport safety pilot launched | BCP (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)