INTRODUCING OUR NEW Q&A SERIES
- timwilmot68
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
At our inaugural General Meeting in September, members packed the hall for our first-ever stakeholder panel Q&A session. Rather than letting those valuable answers disappear into meeting minutes, we're publishing them as a series of Q&A features. Each article provides practical guidance on issues that matter to people in Poundbury.
This first article focuses on antisocial behaviour and community safety. While relatively uncommon in Poundbury, ASB does occasionally occur, as in all communities. This summary guide explains how to respond effectively.
Question: Where there are ongoing instances of antisocial behaviour, what is the best way of getting these addressed and resolved?
Tackling Antisocial Behaviour - Understanding the Process
Antisocial behaviour takes many forms: graffiti, vandalism, fly-tipping, noise, drug dealing, threatening language, harassment and aggressive behaviour. Addressing ASB involves multiple agencies working within legal frameworks. Understanding who handles what helps direct concerns effectively—initial responses may come within days, but investigations can take weeks to months, and legal proceedings often exceed a year.
Who Does What
Police - Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team: Investigate criminal activity including drug dealing, threatening behaviour, and disturbances.
They work with Housing Associations, Schools, Youth Outreach Teams, Social Services, Homeless Outreach Teams, Mental Health Teams, and Dorset Council's ASB Team. Response Officers handle emergencies, while community impact issues move to the Neighbourhood Team.
For youth ASB, please provide CCTV, photos or video footage. Officers visit schools to identify offenders. First-time offenders receive education and support while criminal offences go to the Youth Offending Team.
Contact:
999 for ongoing emergencies
Online: Dorset.police.uk or 101 (non-emergency)
Anonymous: Crimestoppers 0800 555 111
Mobile Police Station: Dorchester town centre monthly (dates at dorset.police.uk)
Important: Please use official reporting routes, not individual officers' personal emails, or the reports will not be adequately logged and processed.
Housing Associations: Handle property maintenance (including boarded windows) and tenant liaison, promoting resolution through warnings, formal notices, and court proceedings, which may take months due to strict protocols.
Abri/Yarlington 01935 404500 | Aster 0333 400 8222 | Clandon House 01305 233 966 | East Boro 01202 883 503 | Hastoe 01305 250 103 | Stonewater 01202 319 119 | Magna 01305 216 000 | Guinness Partnership 01392 822 902
Duchy of Cornwall (01305 250533): Coordinates responses when property appearance affects the community under Poundbury's design codes — poundbury@duchyofcornwall.org
Management Companies (MANCOs - 01305 756 968): Contact for courtyard areas in addition to the police — mancos@symondsandsampson.co.uk
Dorset Council (01305 221000): Dorset Council is a partner in the Dorset Community Safety Partnership (CSP). The Community Safety Partnerships Safety Plan 2023-2026 has ASB as a priority Community Safety Plan 2023 - 2026 (2025-2026 Refresh) - Dorset Council
Dorchester Town Council (01305 266861): Manages the Great Field and play areas. Any ASBs here should be reported to them also. Councillor information is here.
Why Cases Take Time
Enforcement action requires meeting legal tests: evidence proving persistent, serious behaviour; proportionality under the Human Rights Act 1998; and compliance with the ASB, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and Equality Act 2010.
A critical challenge: Residents and other members of the community often decline to provide statements or evidence, significantly limiting legal action. If willing to support action, contact the appropriate agency with your witness statement.
Taking Action
Document Everything: Record date, time, nature of each incident. Photograph or video where safe. Keep copies of reports and responses. Coordinate with neighbours, because multiple reports strengthen cases.
Report Persistently and Objectively: Sustained reporting from multiple residents demonstrates seriousness and helps agencies build cases for court action.
Join Poundbury Neighbourhood Watch: Community action strengthens reporting and provides mutual support.
Persistence is Key
The key to resolution is persistent, documented reporting across multiple agencies. While the process can be slow, it really works when communities stay engaged.
More information:
Other Poundbury resources:
We thank Dorset Council, Dorset Police, Dorchester Town Councillors, and the Duchy of Cornwall for fact-checking this article.