Dorset Police increase patrols to prevent sexual abuse

Officers will also be keeping an eye out for sexually aggressive behaviour over the festive period. Unwanted attention, harassment or unwanted touching is unacceptable, the force warns. It has issued advice to everyone who is out and about in the run up to Christmas to keep safe.

Anyone who feels they are in danger and are in a venue that offers the Ask For Angela service should approach staff ask for Angela. Staff will then help by offering an exit from the premises or calling a taxi 'discreetly and without fuss'. The Home Office Enough campaign offers further advice and stresses that intervening doesn't have to be dramatic or confrontational.

Even small acts of recognition and support can help stop abuse, it says. Say something, tell someone, offer support or provide a diversion, are just some of the ways to help. Superintendent Emma Sweetzer, force lead for tackling violence against women and girls, said: "Across the force area you may see an increased police presence on our streets in the evenings in a bid to tackle harassment of women and girls."

She said that the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Bournemouth[1] will conduct dedicated operations to identify and disrupt predatory behaviour. Superintendent Sweetzer added: "When you are out and about this Christmas and New Year, enjoy yourself. Plan how you're getting home and never accept a lift from someone you don't know.

Familiarise yourself with the safe places and help points in our towns which have been funded and created by our local authorities and the Office of the Police and Crime[2] Commissioner. Stick together with your friends and don't be worried about asking for help from venue staff, police or partner agency workers who are out in the streets such as Community Safety Patrol Officers deployed by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council." Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick added: "This Christmas I am urging every resident in Dorset to do all they can to prevent and help tackle violence against women and girls and other related offences.

"Along with an increased police presence on the streets, initiatives such as Ask for Angela, and safe places and help points in our towns across Dorset, we can all do our part to call out unacceptable behaviour. I would ask everyone to familiarise themselves with the Home Office 'Enough' campaign, which offers advice on how people can step in and intervene if they see someone being harassed or abused, if it is safe to do so. "I am intent on driving down violence against women and girls offences and have pledged to tackle these harmful crimes as a crucial part of my Police and Crime Plan.

This includes our recent successful bid for Safer Streets Funding, with many projects focusing on the safety of women and girls in the night-time economy.

"I hope all of Dorset's residents have a happy and safe Christmas.

Everyone should be able to go about their lives free from harassment or worse, and I am committed to ensuring women and girls are free from fear of violence not just this Christmas, but all year round."

References

1. ^ Bournemouth (www.bournemouthecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Crime (www.bournemouthecho.co.uk)