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| ON PATROL: Police approach a group of youths on Friday night |
BOURNEMOUTH'S reputation attracts thousands of people from all over the country every weekend.
Those who have heard of its award-winning beaches, top-class children's entertainment and stylish restaurants flock to the resort to the delight of tourism chiefs and civic leaders.
But a different type of attraction appears to be drawing the crowds - and they're not the sort of crowds who would be welcome anywhere in the country.
Bournemouth, it seems, is a good place for a punch-up.
And those that like that sort of thing appear to be spreading the word and actively encouraging the type of behaviour which is destroying the town in the evenings.
One day last week provided a classic example of the town's Jekyll and Hyde personality.
At midday on Friday more than 100,000 people, mainly families, enjoyed a glorious day in the sunshine with entertainment from the Red Arrows.
Young and old mingled in the town's gardens and restaurants and cafes buzzed with the sound of happy visitors.
Just ten hours later, the sound of police sirens filled the air, mounted police were on patrol and gangs of youths were running riot through the town.
The "excuse" for such behaviour appears to be the weekly firework display.
But one Daily Echo reader told how the town could be the latest to attract those deliberately looking for a fight.
"Bournemouth has a reputation as a trouble-spot now. There are websites where trouble-makers are talking about Bournemouth as a place for a good fight" he said.
And Molly Wells, who has been visiting the town for 15 years with her family from Suffolk, added: "We have never witnessed such disgraceful and intimidating behaviour.
"My husband, a football supporter, said you would, at times, see this at football matches, not on Bournemouth seafront on a summer evening of family entertainment."
A survey released today reveals half of British people feel more frightened on the streets than they did 10 years ago, a statistic which appears to be reflected in Bournemouth.
Another visitor, who has been coming to the town for more than 10 years, added: "There was a very threatening atmosphere on firework night.
"All around us there were big groups of lads and they all seemed to be looking for trouble. We were at the pier during the day for the Red Arrows and it was like a completely different place when we came back for the fireworks."
Bournemouth is one of a number of towns and cities across the UK currently suffering from yob violence.
Yesterday The Sun newspaper claimed Britain is "on the verge of anarchy" and the Daily Mail cast doubt on the effectiveness of Police Community Support Officers in the battle to reduce antisocial behaviour.
Dorset Police appear to be doing all they can to stem the tide of violence.
Weekends, particularly Friday nights, see a big police presence in the town centre. Mounted police have been drafted in and some officers wear "headcams" small cameras aimed at recording problems as well as preventing them.
CCTV footage is studied in a bid to identify trouble-makers and positive action is being taken in a bid to reduce the sale of alcohol to under 18s.
Speaking after Friday's fireworks event, during which 10 people were arrested, Chief Superintendent Bob Boulton told the Daily Echo: "Dorset Police are determined not to allow the minority to ruin this incredibly popular family event. A great deal of this antisocial behaviour is alcohol-fuelled - we request parents ensure that alcohol is not supplied from home."
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