Drug dealing & drug use

Location:
Pokesdown area, Bournemouth

Describe the issue & its affects:
Drug use and dealing in the area, both in public and linked to residential properties. This caused distress to the community and risk to the public.

What action will you take to tackle the issue:

Engagement with the community to offer reassurance and encourage reporting
Target offenders for disruption and positive action.

Issued 01 April 2026

May update:
The team have been working with residents to develop community intelligence and co-ordinate Police intervention for an active County Line group operating in Southbourne.
Officers have been conducting high visibility patrols in the area to offer reassurance, whilst covert officers have also been operating in the area to target active offenders.

April Update:
During Operation Scorpion, multiple warrants were executed with arrests made and drugs seized. Resources from NPT, specialist teams in Dorset and the Regional Disruption Team were active.
Officers have been utilising intelligence and working with Partner agencies to target the illegal sale of drugs from a Vape store in the area.

March Update:
Attended an online community meeting with residents and MP Tom HAYES to discuss issues in the area of Pokesdown linked primarily to drugs and ASB, but also to highlight the value of reporting incidents to Police. Continued with patrols and monitoring of an address, in the aftermath of executing a drugs warrant at a Pokesdown address where drugs were located and seized.

Actioned 01 July 2026

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Location:
Christchurch Road and Southbourne High Street

Describe the issue & its affects:
Nuisance behaviour causing alarm and distress to the community, such as begging, drug use and intimidating behaviour.



What action will you take to tackle the issue:

Engagement with the community to offer reassurance and encourage reporting
Target offenders for disruption and positive action.

Issued 01 April 2026

May update:
Officers have been working with partner agencies to gather evidence and work towards obtaining a Closure Notice on a premises that has been linked to ongoing anti-social behaviour and disruption to the community.
Officers have been patrolling locations on the beach and overcliff, to disrupt any large gatherings and the associated alcohol consumption, anti-social behaviour and criminality. These patrols will continue and be a part of our Summer Policing Plans.

April Update:
Officers obtained seven criminal convictions against offenders that were involved in a violent disorder on Southbourne beach.
The team have been conducting prevention patrols and issuing dispersal notices in key beach locations in order to disrupt organised gatherings where alcohol was present and people were becoming aggressive. The team have also engaged with schools to ensure positive messaging is sent out to all parents and students about the risks involved in large, organised gatherings. The team continue to monitor intelligence and have a presence in key locations.

March Update:
Authorities are conducting a license review, after a number of incidents of alcohol related violence and disorder linked to a single premises. Officers have been visiting nuisance addresses to gather evidence and liaise with Housing Providers and BCP Council, in order to take positive action and prevent further disruption to the community.

Actioned 01 July 2026