Force prepares for busy weekend with large music cycling event set to take place
Warm weather will see increased visitors to Dorset this weekend and the Force is working hard to ensure everyone can have a good, safe summer, including those attending a large music cycling event in Bournemouth.
Officers from across the county are working additional shifts to tackle anti-social behaviour, public place violence and ensure those reporting incidents receive a timely response.
The ‘Drum and Base on the Bike’ event is also set to take place in Bournemouth, which is likely to see a large number of visitors to the area on Sunday afternoon.
Chief Inspector Darren Harris, of Dorset Police, said: “It is important we can ensure everyone living or visiting the area has a safe and enjoyable time, with events resulting in minimal disruption to local residents.
“Following feedback from our communities in relation to a previous Drum and Bass on the Bike event, we have taken the decision to impose a condition on the event organiser, which requires him to take a specific route to minimise disruption to residents and ensure emergency services are able to maintain response routes on our key road network in Bournemouth.
“Upon leaving Kings Park Drive, the condition, which falls under Section 12 of the Public Order Act, requires the cycling event to travel along Littledown Avenue, Harewood Avenue, Christchurch Road, Seabourne Road, Southbourne Overcliff Drive, Southbourne Coast Road and Dalmeny Road then travelling along the seafront before coming to a finish near to Boscombe Pier.
“It is vital for us to ensure those attending this event as well as other events happening in the area and those living and visiting the town at the busiest time of the year can all have a safe and enjoyable weekend and that any disruption is kept to a minimum.
“Our role is to ensure the safety of all those who wish to enjoy public events in the area and all that Bournemouth has to offer. The decision taken to use these powers was done so in order to keep disruption to a minimum at a time when we are expecting a large number of visitors coming into the town, ensuring we are doing all we can to keep people safe.”
Those attending the Drum and Base on the Bike event are reminded that use of private electric scooters is illegal in public areas and riders are liable to have them seized and be considered for prosecution.
Councillor Andy Martin, Cabinet member for Customer, Communications and Culture, said: “We are working with our partners at Dorset Police to minimise the disruption caused by this unauthorised event in our town, just as we would for any other event that might be estimated to draw similar numbers.
“However, we know it will cause some travel disruption around Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon, and we would advise those walking near the event to take extra care, and road users to allow extra time for their journeys.”