Update on Christchurch Crime

Apart from a blip of a series of domestic burglaries, late 2008 I am delighted to report that Christchurch is still holding the very low level of crime statistics that make it a very safe and delightful place to live, work and play. That is not to say that we are without problems and one of those is that across the Borough residents are very concerned that speed of traffic and anti-social driving are reaching levels where something has to be done. 78% of residents who completed a pan Dorset survey last year covering lifestyle and wellbeing issues complained about this issue in Christchurch. This is far higher than any other district in Dorset surveyed and we should all be in the forefront of making a difference, so it is vital that you keep reporting incidents or hot spots where this matter is of concern. Without direct information it will be difficult to re-educate those drivers and indeed some residents that driving vehicles around our narrow and congested roads has to done with consideration for others, especially for those that live in sensitive areas where front doors are close to roadways. I personally think that the volume and speed of traffic has reached levels that require an innovative review of urban speed rather trying to apply those limits that were designed for traffic loads of yesteryear.
On a brighter note it was good to see pupils of Highcliffe School getting down and dirty at the old millstream in Christchurch giving nature a bit of a hand by improving the flow of this tributary. This entailed removing shopping trolleys dumped in the river and a complete patio set including tables and chairs. Tree work and river bank clearance has opened up this area and I am pleased to report that the stream is looking a great deal healthier. These kids are doing this under supervision and their hard work will result in better stream flow and a cleaner river thus improving the bio-diversity of this important and ancient millstream. It seems that all we do is complain about kid’s anti-social behaviour so It is very nice to be able to report on kids being pro-social and I send my congratulations to them and their tutors.