Crack down on anti-social behaviour in Somerford

Councillor Simon McCormack said residents living in the area have ‘the right to live in peace without the fear that there are offenders around every corner’.

It follows reports of ‘drug related nuisance and disorder’ blighting the area, resulting in closure orders on properties and even police investigations.

A multiple agency approach is currently underway to tackle the anti-social behaviour and the ‘persistent offenders’.

Cllr McCormack, of the Burton and Grange ward, said: “Working with Dorset Police, Sovereign Housing and BCP Council, we will relentlessly pursue anyone causing anti-social behaviour in Somerford, including anyone that assists persistent offenders.

Police in Hunt Road, Somerford, following a stabbing in June (Image: Newsquest)

“We want to send a clear message that anti-social behaviour will no longer be tolerated in Somerford and that we will be relentless in our efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour.”

As part of the efforts, closure orders have been sought and granted for a number of properties in the Somerford area which have experienced anti-social behaviour, including in Hunt Road and Scotts Green.

The latest closure notice served by BCP Council was for Flat 11, Chiltern Court, at 57 Hunt Road.

Poole Magistrates’ Court is due to consider granting a closure order for the property on August 15.

Chiltern Court (Image: Google Maps)

BCP Council would not comment on the reasons for the notice with the court hearing pending.

Cllr McCormack said the use of closure orders is “just one mechanism being deployed” to tackle anti-social behaviour in Somerford, adding: “We will use a variety of techniques to identify those persistent offenders and disrupt their activities.”

Elsewhere in Hunt Road, a three-month long closure order remains in place for Flat 10 at Wenlock Court, having been granted by the courts on June 26. The social housing block was also subject to a suspected arson attack back in November 2021.

Police at Wenlock Court after a suspected arson attack on the building in November 2021

Police are also continuing to investigate an incident in Hunt Road on June 11, in which a man was hospitalised after sustaining stab wounds. 

A police cordon was put in place outside Quantock Court.

A Christchurch man, aged 33, was arrested in connection with the stabbing but was later released and remains on police bail.

Cllr McCormack added: “Our residents have the right to live in peace without the fear that there are offenders around every corner.”