When news happens: get in touch with our newsdesk on 01202 411293, 411294, 411297, Send your pictures to newsdesk@bournemouthecho.co.uk or text us, send videos, pictures and audio from your mobile. Start your message with BOURNEMOUTH ECHO leave a space and then send your message to 80360
EVERY day more than 100 of us feel the need to call the police and report antisocial behaviour in Dorset.
Abuse, drunkenness, vandalism and other irritating crimes are blighting the lives of more of us than ever before.
But anyone hoping for more police and tougher sentencing to deal with offenders may need to think again, according to news from the Home Office.
It seems that Home Secretary John Reid would prefer us to deal with yobs ourselves.
Information leaked to the press revealed that Mr Reid is calling for an aggressive advertising campaign telling the public: "Don't moan take action. It's your street too."
The news has caused outrage in Dorset, which has seen a 23 per cent increase in incidents of antisocial behaviour over the last 12 months to 45,000 a year.
advertisement
There are fears that those who attempt to take the law into their own hands will end up in more trouble than those they are trying to deal with.
And the news also comes on the day when many judges have been criticised for handing down lenient sentences to offenders.
CAUSING OUTRAGE: John Reid
Christchurch councillor Dave Flagg said more should be done to deal with those making the lives of others a misery.
He said the introduction of CCTV in town centres has forced many troublemakers into outlying areas, including the Burton area.
"We have a police force in this country and we pay taxes for the police to do their job," he said.
"The government should be providing enough funds for them to do it sufficiently.
"The Home Office should not pass the responsibility to residents who are doing nothing wrong."
Cllr Flagg said many people he speaks to are afraid to take action in case they end up in trouble themselves.
"The courts come down harder on those taking the law into their own hands than those who cause the trouble in the first place."
The Daily Echo recently reported the case of Brenda Robinson, a 66-year-old church-going grandmother who spent a night in the cells after tackling a group of youths outside her Bournemouth home.
Other recent cases have included that of teacher Carron Downer, who was accused of assaulting a 13-year-old boy who hit him with a rucksack.
Mr Downer was found guilty of assault but the conviction was overturned on appeal after judges ruled he had used reasonable force.
Police in Dorset have claimed much of the trouble is caused by young people who have been drinking alcohol and urged parents to take action.
"It would help if parents would take some interest in what their children are doing," said Inspector Mark Kelly of Dorset Police.
"If your 16-year-old has come home blind drunk perhaps you should really be taking a bit more interest.
"When we take youngsters home, half the parents are quite concerned about it but others don't really seem to give a monkey's."
Recent cases of antisocial behaviour include two north Bournemouth couples dubbed "the family from hell".
Theresa and Gordon Masterman, 58 and 36, his daughter Rachal Facer, 26, and her 22-year-old husband Grant Facer were served with an injunction after being accused of carrying out a sustained campaign of harassment, abuse and threatening behaviour over a four-year period.
A spokesman for the Victims of Crime Trust criticised the latest move and added: "The Home Office has got to take responsibility for the criminal justice system rather than making excuses."
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
