Based on our research, the following priorities have been identified as the most important.
This will be reviewed each year as and will reflect any changes in emphasis and trends in relation to crime, disorder, anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, and reoffending.
Reducing serious violence
We are committed to reducing violent crime by strengthening data sharing across partners, enabling us to better understand the drivers of violence and take effective action to minimise the harm it causes.
We will take a proactive approach and through early intervention and education, we will help young people recognise and prevent violence before it occurs.
We will also collaborate with the Business Improvement Districts and venues throughout Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to enhance safety in our town centres and within the night-time economy.
Our aim is to achieve a measurable reduction in violent crimes, with a particular focus on serious youth violence, sexual violence, including tackling male rapes and serious sexual offences (RASSO), domestic violence, and weapons-related assaults.
We will increase the number of violence-prevention awareness sessions delivered to young people, ensuring they understand what constitutes violence and feel empowered to report it.
We will also work to increase the number of violent offenders brought to justice.
Reducing violence against women and girls
We will address violence against women and girls by increasing training and education for young people on respectful, healthy relationships.
We will work with partners in the night-time and day-time economy with our Unity Promise, a charter and toolkit helping venues to ensure women feel safer and be safer in our town centres.
We will collaborate with STARS and The Shores to expand education for students around consent and alcohol-related offending.
We will continue working with STARS and The Shores to better understand why victims may not report sexual assaults and explore trauma-informed approaches to support victims in achieving their preferred outcomes.
We will provide training for frontline staff, including seasonal workers, to help them recognise predatory behaviour and safeguard victims using trauma-informed practices.
We will work with People First Forum, businesses, and the community and voluntary sector to expand and promote the Safe Places scheme, ensuring it is accessible to all.
We will continue to raise awareness through campaigns such as #JustDont and the Unity Promise, helping ensure women feel supported, valued, and safe within the BCP community.
Reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB)
We will regularly consult with local communities to identify ASB and crime hotspots, working with residents and businesses to improve safety using a mix of civil and criminal legislation, alongside supportive and community-resolution measures delivered by the council and the police.
We will improve the reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour to the relevant agencies, including enhancing the quality of reports received.
We aim to reduce the risk of harm to vulnerable victims through effective case management and multi-agency problem-solving.
We will increase the number of offenders leaving prison who engage with community support and rehabilitation services.
We want to see more joint patrols from uniformed officers, including neighbourhood policing teams and council enforcement officers.
We will increase the use of intervention tools such as mediation, restorative justice, and tenancy warnings.
We aim to increase community reporting of personal ASB.
We will seek greater use of both criminal and civil powers to reduce ASB, including Civil Injunctions, Criminal Behaviour Orders, Community Protection Notices, and Closure Powers.
We will increase capacity for substance misuse treatment and work to reduce drug- and alcohol-related deaths.
Tackling issues related to domestic abuse
We will continue to make domestic abuse one of our key priorities, led by our dedicated Domestic Abuse Lead, and our Domestic Abuse Strategic multi-agency group. We will raise awareness of domestic abuse, support victims, and encourage reporting so individuals feel able to seek help at the earliest opportunity.
We will also work with perpetrators to engage in behaviour-change programmes aimed at breaking cycles of abuse and improving long-term outcomes for families.