Student Neighbourhood Packs launched in Bournemouth » Housing » 24dash.com

A new Student Neighbourhood Pack has been launched in Bournemouth to encourage good relationships between students moving to the town and their new neighbours.

The launch coincides with a Home Office week of action to raise awareness of such community initiatives.

Whilst Bournemouth benefits both financially and culturally from the annual influx of students, it is recognised that this can have an impact on residential neighbourhoods.

If these concerns are left unaddressed it can cause ill-feeling and potential conflict. Whilst the Council can intervene with legal action when anti-social behaviour offences are committed, the majority of issues are not actionable offences but differences in lifestyle.

Bournemouth Crime Reduction Partnership led by Bournemouth Borough Council has introduced the information packs which contain helpful advice for students aimed at helping them settle into their new community.

The packs, which contain a whole raft of information aimed at helping students settle into their new community including recycling , waste disposal, noise pollution and useful contacts.

The packs were given out during Fresher's Week at stalls manned by the council's staff. They will also be sent to the residents next door to student accommodation to help develop community relations.

Councillor David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community, said: "We would encourage long-term residents to take the guide to their student neighbours as a means of introduction as a helpful neighbour.

"You can ensure students have the necessary information and welcome them to the community. Its easier and more effective to ask someone to turn down their stereo if you are on friendly terms!

"The Community Safety Team has a role to look at all areas of community safety and that includes anti-social behaviour. If there is a perception that students demonstrate anti-social behaviour, whether it be rowdiness or litter pollution, we are anxious to take steps to address that problem and to reassure long-term residents and students themselves that work is being done to reduce anti-social behaviour and the perception of it."

The pack is being launched to coincide with a Home Office week of action - Not in My Neighbourhood Week - to promote better understanding of what is being done locally to tackle crime and remind people of the large number of public services, in addition to the police, that play a vital part in driving down crime and anti-social behaviour.

Colin Passey, Home Office South West Deputy Regional Director, said: "The project in Bournemouth is one of many examples of work going on across the South West during Not in My Neighbourhood Week, which gives partnerships an opportunity to show local residents the work that is being done to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour."

"When everyone works together - local partners, across government, in business, communities, police and the public sector - the impact is greatest. "