Knife Crime

Location:
Weymouth

Issue:
Op Guardian is our operational response to knife crime - particularly children that carry knives in our community.

Planned action to tackle this issue:
- We will identify those most likely to carry knifes within our community.
- We will work with partner agencies such as Child Social Care and Youth Justice Service to engage those identified.
- We will support these individuals to change their behaviour.
- We will be robust if they are found to be carrying a knife.
- We will identify the places and space where knife crime is most likely.

Issued 01 April 2026

April update:
This issue remains a local priority for the team due to the harm it causes to the local community and we will continue to focus our efforts in this area, by working with partner agencies and targeting those involved through education and enforcement.

February/March update:
- 6x persons identified as habitual knife carriers.
- All 6 discussed at multi-agency meeting with all partners taking actions to engage with those identified.
- NPT have engaged with these individuals and are conducting weekly unannounced visits to deter them from knife carrying.

Actioned 30 June 2026

ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour)

Location :
Jubilee Retail Park

Issue :
Reports of groups of young people causing nuisance in stores, throwing items and being abusive.

Planned action to tackle this issue:
- Speak to local businesses to understand the extent of the issue, when it happens and who is responsible.
- Liaise with local partners to problem solve the issue.

Issued 01 April 2026

April update:
This issue remains a local priority for the team due to the harm it causes to the local community and we will continue to focus our efforts in this area, by targeting our patrols and continuing engagement with businesses involved.

March update:
- Officers continue to conduct high visibility patrols in the retail park and deal with any offenders robustly.
- Several repeat ASB offenders have been identified and are currently being managed through Dorset Council's Consequences Scheme.
- Several businesses have been supported to join the shop watch radio scheme – a supportive measure to ensure they can seek assistance from CSAS, the BID ranger and get Dorset Council monitored CCTV cameras to capture evidence at time of incident.

February update:
- Increased patrols in the retail park.
- Discussed this issue with partners in the Daytime Economy meeting.
- Arranged meetings with the managers of the affected stores in order to work with them to prevent further issues/ design out the issue.
- Briefed Town CCTV operators to be aware of the situation and monitor the retail park.
- Held meeting with local targeted youth workers - so they can deploy in the area.
- We have identified two young people involved who have been placed on the Dorset Councils 'Consequences' Scheme.

Actioned 30 June 2026