Police give Portland people feedback after crime meeting

By Margery_H | Monday, September 06, 2010, 09:34

Portland residents are still worried about safety on the island but there is great community spirit.

That's the message from Sgt Neil Wood from the Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team.

He's sent a letter to locals after a public meeting was held on 24 August to discuss violence and anti-social behaviour on Portland.

During the meeting, a number of residents asked the police what they can do to help deal with violence and anti-social behaviour on Portland.

Said Sgt Wood: "The answer is: give us as much information as possible. We need to know about who is committing offences, times and locations, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Every small piece of information helps us to build a picture and a case."

There are numerous ways to contact the police:

The Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team is contactable via 07500 816319. Please note that this number is for non-emergencies only and may go to an answer phone.
For non-emergencies you can also call Dorset Police on 01305 222 222.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 and tell them what you know, not who you are.

Please remember, that you should dial 999 in an emergency

(if a crime is in progress or life is in danger).

Sgt Wood said there was some confusion about the role of PACT (Partners and Communities Together) in Portland.

"PACT is the name given, and process used, when community safety service providers engage in the community," he said.

"PACT is a commitment to improving the quality of life in communities.

Through PACT, local community safety service providers identify the issues that matter most to a specific community, then prioritise and tackle them. They identify those issues through engagement events like street corner meetings."

The PACT panel is a multi-agency group that meets to address the issues that matter most to a community. In Portland, the PACT panel consists of representatives from the NHS, Portland Community Partnership, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Dorset County Council, various housing associations and Dorset Police. The panel is chaired by an independent member of the Portland community.

Street Corner Meetings are already planned for:

14 September 2010, 10am – 12noon, at Hambro Car Park
12 October 2010, 12.30pm – 2.30pm, at Royal Manor Arts College
12 October 2010, 3pm – 5pm, on Weston Road
12 October 2010, 6pm – 8pm, at Easton Square
13 October 2010, 3pm – 5pm, at Hambro Car Park
13 October 2010, 6pm – 8pm, on Brandy Row

Details of these and any future events can be found by regularly checking the Portland Safer Neighbourhood Team pages of the Dorset Police website at www.dorset.police.uk