A GATEWAY to Weymouth continues to be blighted by yobs, it is claimed, despite efforts by authorities to tackle the disorder.

Earlier in the summer, traders and community leaders called for action to deal with anti-social behaviour happening around Weymouth train station.

It was claimed that the station had become a meeting place for groups of people drinking and taking drugs, with various ‘disgusting’ activities reportedly taking place there.

These included fighting, verbal abuse, people urinating in the street and even a man and woman engaged in a sex act. Now observers agree that, with summer at a close, there is still a big problem to tackle and more needs to be done.

Photos have been taken of people sitting and lying by the station, drinking by the station and of police patrolling the area.

Authorities say they are working together to combat the issue, adding that they are stepping up patrols and taking “robust” action against troublesome individuals.

Linda Farwell, co-owner of The Clifton Hotel, said one family recently arrived at her hotel and refused to stay because of the behaviour of people they saw across the road near the station.

She said: “People are aware of it. They might not say too much, but they probably won’t come back.”

She added: “It’s horrible, it’s just horrible; so you can’t blame them can you?”

The hotelier believed the situation had improved little, except for the fact that police have become more aware of the problem.

Jason Williams, manager of the adult store near the station, said that the situation was getting worse, as he is witnessing “more and more problems.”

He said: “It’s not great for businesses, it’s not great for tourism, it’s the opposite of what we need to welcome people to the town.”

Recently he says he has had to deal with people nearby trying to steal from the shop, with one attempt proving successful.

Dorset Police confirmed that they received a report of shoplifting at the store and said they were investigating the incident.

Mr Williams said the stolen product was worth £40.

He said: “I have lived in Weymouth for 17 years and it is an ongoing thing which seems to have reached a critical point over the last six months I think. This summer has been the worst.”

He added that the police have been “brilliant” but thought more foot patrols by officers in the area might deter people from hanging around and causing trouble in the first place.

Cllr Jason Osborne, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “It’s a problem that is ongoing. It has not gone away, it keeps coming back.”

He added that it was a “crying shame” that visitors to Weymouth by train or by car go through or past the station and see the behaviour of people hanging around it. The councillor said the public need to keep reporting the anti-social behaviour they see to the police.

He said: “If people do not report it, they cannot do much about it. Do not think that nothing is going to happen – things will happen, but you need to report it.”

Cllr Francis Drake, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s spokesman for community safety, said: “Our Community Safety Team work very closely with Dorset Police, British Transport Police and other partner agencies, to help tackle and reduce reports of anti-social behaviour. Not only at the train station, but across all areas of the town centre.

“There have been a number of joint operations and community engagement events held which have successfully resulted in enforcement action being taken against known problematic individuals. This has included Community Protection Notices and Criminal Behaviour Orders.

“We are currently consulting on a Public Space Protection Order, across Weymouth & Portland and I would actively encourage residents, visitors and business owners alike to have their say on the consultation at dorsetforyou.gov.uk/Weymouth-PSPO”

Transport police 'working to tackle problems'

A SPOKESMAN for British Transport Police said: “We are aware there are challenges in and around Weymouth station and are working with Dorset Police to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“Officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols at the station and the surrounding area to deter and detect offenders and reassure station staff and members of the public that the police are taking positive action tackling offenders. We will take robust action against anyone who is seen to be breaking the law.

“We have also been working closely with the local council to tackle the issues in and around the station.

“We would encourage anyone who has concerns regarding behaviour in and around the station to report it to the police on 0800 40 50 40 or text BTP on 61016 or call 101. In an emergency always call 999.”

"We want to offer these individuals support - but we will not accept them ruining residents' enjoyment of town"

WEYMOUTH and Portland Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Yeoman, said: “We continue to work with our partners, including Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Community Safety Team, British Transport Police and other charities and agencies to engage with street drinkers and signpost them to support agencies to reduce their anti-social behaviour.

“We acknowledge many of these individuals do have issues and that is why we want to offer them the support in order to help them to improve their ways.

“However, what we will not accept in Weymouth is a very small number of people ruining the enjoyment of the town for residents, visitors and businesses alike.

“Our Neighbourhood Policing Team has increased patrols and we have a variety of enforcement options at our disposal to deal with those who refuse to accept help and whose repeated behaviour is causing the public harassment, alarm or distress.

“These options range from a verbal or written warning and dispersing the individuals away from where residents and visitors can see their actions, to issuing notices that can stop a person doing something anti-social in a specific area for a period of up to six months. If they breach this order, they can be arrested.

“We have also issued a number of Criminal Behaviour Orders, giving police the powers to deal robustly with repeat offenders.

“I would like to reassure the community that we are working to reduce town centre anti-social behaviour and would ask that anyone who sees anyone involved in alcohol-related disorder, or acting in an anti-social manner to please contact Dorset Police to report it. This can be done by either calling 101, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or online at www.dorset.police.uk.”