Meet the groups keeping a seaside town safe

It is best known as a popular tourist destination for millions of people with miles of golden sand. But this summer Bournemouth has found itself at the centre of a debate on how the streets are kept safe.

Dorset Police is working to reduce anti-social behaviour but the force hasn't endorsed a new group of volunteers who this month began patrolling the town at night.

The police's own high-visibility patrols have been carried out throughout the summer, with support from the City of London Police.

And throughout the year the authorities are supported by and work in partnership with many other groups in the town.

Community Safety Patrol Officers

Community Safety Patrol Officers stopped 498 people from committing an anti-social beahaviour offence between April and June

Working alongside the force is Bournemouth, Chritchurch and Poole (BCP) Council's Community Safety Patrol Officers (CSAS).

They help deter anti-social behaviour by targeting hot spot areas.

Officers have the power to use Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) to disperse big groups and seize alcohol from those acting anti-socially.

Between April and June this year CSAS officers attended 920 incidents and stopped 498 people committing, or likely to commit, anti-social behaviour.

"Our officers provide over 7,000 hours per annum of visible foot patrols in Bournemouth town centre alone," said a BCP Council spokesperson.

"They are out and about daily, generally between the hours of 8am and 10pm, all year-round to support the police in maintaining a visible presence and reducing crime.

"Through this collaborative working we have seen a 18% reduction in anti-social behaviour across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole compared to last year and we've seen an increase in people engaging with our support services."

Street Pastors

Street Pastots are on hand in locations throughout the town every Saturday night

Working with the pubs and clubs at the weekend since 2017 are the Bournemouth Town Pastors.

Usually found patrolling the streets in groups of three, volunteers work every Saturday night from 22:00 to 02:30.

Recently, they have started patrols on the Friday of "payday weekend" too.

They cover Lansdowne, the beach, Bournemouth gardens, the triangle, and all areas in-between.

Free bus passes are donated to the group for travel as well as a portable defibrillator and bleed kit.

They also carry flip flops, bottled water, foil blankets, sick bags, hair bands and a portable phone charger.

Garry Mcdermott, creator of the group, said each pastor is vetted: "They have to be over the age of 18 and have two references.

"Volunteers are DBS checked and have to undergo five training modules which include safeguarding and bystander training."

The operation costs £2,000 a year and is funded by donations.

Security staff

Insight Security provide medical and security staff to work alongside BCP officers.

Assisting BCP Council and Dorset Police is Insight Security that mainly carries out foot patrols on Bournemouth beach, in the town centre and the Lower Gardens.

Director, Matthew Feltham, said all Insight security staff are trained to "a high standard".

"They are SIA (Security Industry Authority) licensed and DBS checked with the validity of operatives licenses checked on a weekly basis," he says.

"Training includes; effective communication and conflict management including de-escalation techniques, physical intervention (which is only used as a last resort), emergency procedures and safeguarding vulnerable individuals."

Staff are also first aid trained and carry out other duties at BCP Council events like patrolling firework nights on Bournemouth beach and Poole Quay.

Insight also supply security to private clients within Bournemouth's night-time economy such as door supervisors to licensed premises.

Homelessness charities

St Mungo's is one of several homeless charities and groups that work in Bournemouth

Those sleeping rough are supported by, among others, the St Mungo's charity, which helped more than 10,240 people in the town last year.

Since 2011, teams of two have been going out late at night and early in the morning to get people sleeping rough on streets into safe accommodation.

A spokesperson from St Mungo's said it helped people access "physical and mental health services, drug and alcohol services, and legal services".

"You can use StreetLink, the national rough sleeper referral line, to tell our outreach teams, local authorities and other homelessness organisations where you've seen someone sleeping rough," they said.

"The teams can then assess their needs and help them to find the support and accommodation that is right for them."