A Weymouth business group has missed out on a £5,000 funding boost from the Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) - with all other groups in the county successful in their applications. 

Earlier this year Dorset PCC David Sidwick launched a Business Crime Community Fund where Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) could apply for funding for initiatives aiming to reduce retail crime or violence against shop workers.

The PCC said all eight BIDs across Dorset applied for funding - amounting to about £5,000 each. Amongst those successful were Dorchester BID, Bournemouth Coastal BID, Poole BID, Bournemouth Town Centre BID, Ferndown and Uddens BID, Christchurch BID, and Wimborne BID.

Weymouth BID was the only one not to be selected for funding. 

Asked why Weymouth missed out, the PCC's office said: "That information is part of the application process and is restricted, as you would expect. Therefore we can not disclose any further information over successful and unsuccessful BIDs."

Dawn Rondeau-Irvine, chief operations officer for We are Weymouth, the town's BID, said the town is already tackling shoplifting.

"The PCC grant of £5k was issued to BIDs to fund new projects to address Shoplifting. Weymouth BID has been tackling shoplifting for 18 months with radios, a reporting system and rangers with no new projects to the value of £5k on the horizon.

"Therefore the PCC and team are going to play an active role in supporting Weymouth BID by spending time in the Town to advise on what other resources may be available to reduce shoplifting." 

Funding for the BIDs that were successful will be used for projects and initiatives including increased CCTV, support implementing crime prevention software and a project to improve business knowledge on crime prevention.

Mr Sidwick said: “I hope that this funding will strengthen the partnership working already fostered by our local BIDs and help them deliver lasting change to their areas.

"It is only by working together and sharing intelligence that we can truly tackle the crimes that face our business communities across Dorset.

“Throughout this year, I have been out and spoken to various business owners across Dorset who have told me how serious and damaging incidents of shoplifting can be, especially when it comes to staff being abused or attacked.

“I would like to reassure retailers and their staff that such incidents are not treated lightly, and that robust action will be taken against anyone committing such crimes.”