NEARLY two-thirds of all antisocial behaviour in western Dorset happens in Weymouth and Portland, it has emerged.
Figures show 4,077 incidents out of a total of 6,825 this summer were recorded in the borough.
But Dorset Police Inspector Nikki Billington said the numbers were to be expected because of the time of year and the nature of Weymouth and Portland.
And she revealed antisocial behaviour is falling - both in the borough and western Dorset as a whole.
"These figures cover the summer period and there's so much more going on in Weymouth and Portland," she said.
"It's the nature of the area, it gets so many more visitors.
"Over the summer the population increases by literally thousands, and it's an urban area as well. And antisocial behaviour is not an exact science, so it's always dangerous to put too much emphasis on these figures."
Antisocial behaviour covers problems such as rowdy behaviour by gangs of youths, boy racers, groups of homeless people drinking and bad language in public places.
Insp Billington said 6,825 incidents were reported to the western division of Dorset Police between April and September this year, compared with 6,950 during the same period last year.
In Weymouth and Portland 4,077 complaints were received - down 126 from 4,203 logged in the previous year.
Insp Billington, who oversees the antisocial behaviour team, said: "We're seeing a decrease overall by nearly two per cent, which is fantastic. We're definitely bucking the trend so we're very pleased"
Insp Billington said the decrease was due to antisocial behaviour being at the top of everyone's agenda'.
"We're working really hard and we're listening to the public," she said. "There's lots of things going on and they're really starting to have an impact.
"I think it's all the little things we've been doing now coming to fruition.
"We've introduced dispersal orders and we've formed safer neighbourhood teams.
"We've also got dedicated local officers taking ownership of the problem in their areas, which really helps."
Reports of antisocial behaviour have also dropped in Sherborne - but they have risen from 1086 to 1098 in Dorchester and from 910 to 924 Bridport. But Insp Billington said: "Those increases are nothing when you consider they were recorded over six months.
"But that doesn't mean we're getting complacent. We'll keep on going and keep chipping away.
"Antisocial behaviour is a top priority for most people. These aren't one-off incidents, they're the sorts of things that affect people's quality of life day in, day out."
ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR INCIDENTS:
Western Division of Dorset Police
Apr - Sept 06: 6,950
Apr - Sept 07: 6,825
Weymouth and Portland
Apr - Sept 06: 4,203
Apr - Sept 07: 4,077
Dorchester
Apr - Sept 06: 1,086
Apr - Sept 07: 1,098
Bridport
Apr - Sept 06: 910
Apr - Sept 07: 924
Sherborne
Apr - Sept 06: 751
Apr - Sept 07: 726
http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/tidnews/display.var.1748619.0.borough_sees_most_antisocial_behaviour.php
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