Portland community workers have promised better policing and communication amid fears over youth violence and intimidation.

Around 50 island residents turned out for an evening meeting with Portland councillors and police at Easton Meth-odist Church.

Meeting chairman Eddie Waring began by telling the group he had felt ‘angry, let down and a little bit isolated’ after he was attacked in Easton Square 18 months ago.

He said: “I wanted to seek revenge but I didn’t.”

Sergeant Neil Wood told the meeting that Portland was a ‘safe place’ to live although he conceded the police could have responded better to islanders’ fears over crime.

He added: “I can only apologise for that. We should have listened a little more and a little harder.”

Residents told of their views on the recent troubles.

Island resident Teri Smith said: “We’ve always had bits and pieces of trouble on Portland but as Portlanders we’ve always said: ‘it was down to outsiders’. But this is a problem with our kids.

“We know the mums and dads and godparents whose kids are acting out of order.

“We need to find something that stops this behaviour.”

Debby Jolliffe said: “There’s always been crime here.

“My son was assaulted and it was dealt with but I do feel sorry for the police.

“They do a lot of good work but for some of these kids ASBOs are just medals.”

Portland resident Taff Jones said: “I’ve heard about anti-social behaviour orders, but does that mean engaging with these kids’ parents?”

Sgt Wood said Portland police would be taking on a new three-pronged approach to include ‘intelligence-led’ patrolling to target specific areas of Portland, dealing with offenders ‘more robustly’ and better engagement with the community.

Inspector Pete Meteau, section commander, said it was his job to ensure the police’s ‘finite’ resources were used to their best effect.

n dan.goater@dorsetecho.co.uk