COMMUNITY safety experts have given people living in Christchurch a host of ideas to help them free the town's streets from the scourge of antisocial behaviour.

At a special meeting, Christchurch's community safety Action Group encouraged concerned residents to join home-watch schemes and form local groups to keep an eye on areas targeted by vandals and other petty criminals.

Police inspector Andrew Earley added that residents could help by collecting evidence and even starting clean-up campaigns to help build pride in the appearance of the community and discourage acts of vandalism.

The meeting at Grange School, in Somerford, at the end of last month, was the first in a series of public consultations the borough council has planned in its bid to prepare a special action plan to tackle antisocial behaviour.

It also plans to hold meetings with local schools and organisations such as the fire brigade before it completes its government-sponsored plan, which it hopes will be ready within the next six months.

Christchurch's antisocial behaviour reduction officer Diana Webster said: "It was a very successful meeting and afterwards everyone was clapping.

"I think it did give people a sense of empowerment because they'd had a say in prioritising the issues that concerned them most," she added.

"The plan we adopt to tackle antisocial behaviour will take into account the concerns of people as well as local service providers."

Anyone who would like a personal invitation to the group's next meeting in six months or would like to put forward their own views on antisocial behaviour should telephone Mrs Webster on 01202 495044 or Raeph Cumming on 01202 495088.

First published: Oct 6