MP wants to make town safe for women and girls

An MP said he plans to work with police to make Bournemouth safer following concerns the town is "particularly" unsafe for women and girls.

Tom Hayes became the first-ever Labour MP for the Bournemouth East constituency in July.

Talking to BBC Radio Solent's Sam Fraser he answered questions from the public about his plans for the area.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said the force took all forms of violence against women and girls "extremely seriously".

MP Tom Hayes commented on dimmed street lights in Bournemouth while explaining he wants to make the town safer

Mr Hayes told listeners before working in politics he ran a domestic abuse service, as well as services supporting women and girls against violence.

He said: "You only need to look at the town centre at night, with street lamps being so dimmed, to realise it's not a safe place for anybody, but particularly for women and girls to go out on their own and that's something I hear quite a lot."

The MP said he had recently met with Dorset Police Chief Constable Amanda Pearson.

"I want the force to be more responsive in its communications, more proactive in its policing of issues," he said.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said the force is currently working with the Police and Crime Commissioner's officer, as well as the Community Safety Partnership, to gain funding for more CCTV in the town centre.

They added: "We are determined to do all we can to encourage victims to come forward in the knowledge they are fully supported, and we will carry out a thorough investigation to ensure offenders are identified and dealt with robustly."

Dorset PCC, David Sidwick, said he "echoed" Mr Hayes' point about street lighting.

He added: "My door is open – as it always has been - to those who want to work to tackle these abhorrent crimes and really make a difference.”

Kieron Wilson, BCP Council cabinet member for housing and regulatory services said “careful analysis" went into decisions on lighting levels at night.

"Main roads and some areas with CCTV installations, or those which are busy all night, remain lit, and some lighting remains on overnight in areas identified by Dorset Police and our safety teams," he said.

During his appearance, Mr Hayes was also asked about illegal parking along the seafront.

He said he had written to Secretary of State for Transport Louise Haigh, urging her to launch a pilot zone with increased charges along the seafront "as soon as possible".

The MP also answered questions about Bournemouth Air Festival, off the back of BCP Council confirming it would no longer fund the event after this year.

Mr Hayes said: "It's one of the many things that could be vital to tourism in the future.

"My goal would be around looking at the air show and how we renew it, it's felt quite samey year after year."

He added he felt "honoured" to be serving the people of Bournemouth and felt there was "a lot of hope" for the town to be better.