Communities are hoping a £1 million boost to tackle the yobs will mean more police in their areas as well as other measures to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Dorset Police will receive the grant from the Home Office after the government announced it is to distribute £66 million across forces in England and Wales.

The news that money will be coming in to tackle anti-social behaviour hotpots throughout Dorset has been welcomed - and should see more ‘boots on the ground’ to tackle the issue.

READ: Police boss calls for everyone to intervene on anti-social behaviour

Dorchester Town Council councillor for Poundbury, Richard Briggs, has welcomed the news following a spate of incidents in the area, including racist and anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed across a wall in the town.

Dorset Echo:

He said: “Absolutely everyone would welcome more boots on the ground.

“We are no different to other areas and we would welcome more sets of eyes.

READ: Poundbury: Concern at increase in yobbish behaviour

“It has always been the argument that there are limited resources to respond, so that is welcome.

“The biggest issue is that people find it difficult to report it, but that is being looked at as well.”

Portland Town Council councillor for Tophill East, Pete Roper, says that extra resources for the island would be ‘very welcome’ and is hopeful the area will benefit from the money.

Last year residents on Portland put their questions to Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) about the ‘nightmare yobs' blighting their neighbourhoods.

Cllr Roper said: “I think with the issues we have had recently any additional funding and resources would be very welcome to the people of the island. Whether we actually get anything, that remains to be seen.

“We are forever hopeful for resources to help with ASB."

Whilst Cllr Roper is pleased that the money could see more patrols in the area, he believes that  some of the additional resources should be allocated to engaging with perpetrators.

He added: “The thing is, if you do get more foot patrols on Portland, what tends to happen is the ASB perpetrators move to another area – it’s in a way shifting the problem.

“If the resources can be used perhaps to engage more with perpetrators or their peers that would be just as good a use of resources as officers on foot patrol."

The issue of ASB has also been a problem in Weymouth, especially in the areas of Littlemoor and the town centre.

Principle youth worker at STEPS youth centre, Tom Lane, was also happy to hear there will be an investment into reducing ASB, but echoes the thoughts of Cllr Roper about the need to invest just in more foot patrols.

READ: Police fund helps tackles anti-social behaviour in Dorset

He said: “Now the government are handing money to the police, whilst I am happy they have, it would be better to invest in helping prevent young people committing ASB.

“The more they can invest in preventative measure the better. If they can support more youth work in Dorset that will be helpful.”

Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick added: “The aim of this funding is to ensure an enhanced uniformed presence in ASB hotspot areas.

“Dorset Police has an existing successful initiative of carrying out hotspot patrols, which will now continue thanks to this funding and allow us to deliver an enhanced level of service to the public."

Dorset Police has yet to reveal how it intends to spend the money, as it is still in the process of applying for the grant.

It has welcomed the additional resources and will seek to work alongside its partners in determining how best to spend the money.

READ: Weymouth: Police target shoplifters, anti-social behaviour

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: “Dorset Police has been notified of this funding opportunity and is now looking into the process and details of how to bid for it.

“We welcome any additional financial resources that might be available to us to tackle this issue and will consider the best opportunities to ensure the greatest impact for our communities.

“The force also works closely with partners such as housing associations, Dorset Council and BCP Council and with our community safety partnerships in order to identifying patterns of behaviour in relation to the locations and those responsible for ASB in the county to prevent and disrupt ASB early before it can take a grip on our communities."