2nd September 2010WEYMOUTH: Call for community to work together
by Paul Crompton
Feelings run high at Portland meeting over anti-social crime
ANGRY Portlanders refused to be soothed by police during a meeting to discuss ways to combat continued violent and anti-social behaviour by gangs on the island.
Around 60 residents met with police representatives at Easton Methodist Church to discuss the ongoing issues of violence plaguing the island, which has left many islanders frightened to walk the streets.
It follows a PACT meeting last month when residents, angry at a spate of high profile attacks, threatened to take the law into their own hands.
Despite reassurances from Portland’s Safer Neighbourhood officer Sergeant Neil Wood that matters were being dealt with, residents felt the problems were not dissipating.
Debby Joliffe, whose son had been assaulted, said: “I’m a local girl brought up here and there’s always been crime here, it’s only the level that has increased.
“These kids walk around wearing their ASBOs like a badge of honour; it’s just a medal to those kids. They walk around the streets in shorts, really proud of the tags.
“There’s one individual who has been charged and charged and charged and still got away with it and that’s why people are angry on Portland.
“People are scared and that’s why there’s not a lot of people here, they are scared.”
In a thinly veiled threat of vigilante retribution, one angry resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said people attending the meeting could sort the problems out straight away, but they would be “carted off to the cop shop”.
He added: “We can all sort it out but we are the people getting into trouble.”
Chairman Eddie Waring said: “I was asked to chair the meeting for several reasons. If I take myself back 18 months I was the victim of crime. Unfortunately, no charges were brought against the person and that made me feel angry and let down and a little bit disillusioned.
“At the time I wanted to seek revenge but I didn’t. I moved forward. The weeks and months went by and I got on with life.
“Something needs to be done to try and get the community together and I believe by coming together we will achieve what we are trying to do.
“Individuals going out trying to seek revenge is not the best way to deal with the anti-social problems on the island.”
Inspector Pete Meteau, whose 16 year-old daughter had been the victim of anti-social behaviour, said no one was immune to the problem, but promised to ensure resources were put in place to “win” the battle with yobs on the island.
Weymouth and Portland mayor Councillor Paul Kimber said it had had got quieter since the previous meeting but though the police said there were low levels of crime it didn’t appear like that to the individuals who were the victims.
Resident Terry Smith said: “We know a lot of kids doing this and they are not all bad. Even the one we all know is causing a lot of the problems is not all bad.
“There is a lot of good out there and we need to help young people to make life better for everybody, the community and the police.”
Important numbers:
If a crime is in progress or life is in danger, always dial 999.
To contact Dorset Police dial 01305 222 222. Please note that this number is for non-emergency calls only.
To contact the Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team dial 07500 816319. Please note that this number is for non-emergency calls only and may go to an answerphone.
Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and tell them what you know, not who you are.
PICTURE: PORTLAND PANEL - Councillor David Hawkin, Weymouth & Portland Mayor Councillor Paul Kimber, Councillor Tim Monroe, chairman Eddie Waring and Sergeant Neil Wood at a meeting to discuss anti-social behaviour
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