PCSO Tom Dayment: 'Tackling young anti-social behaviour - and keeping the peace for beach-hut users

I am Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Tom Dayment and I am one of four PCSOs who covers the Paignton area. I primarily cover Goodrington with Roselands and Collaton St Mary’s area and work alongside a Police Constable, whose role is as a Neighbourhood Beat Manager (NBM).
For the past 15 years I have been walking the roads of Paignton and conducted targeted patrols where needed. During this time, I have seen a lot of changes and all I can say “it’s not like it used be”. I have remained a PCSO as I fully believe in the concept of “Bobby on the beat”.
I grew up in Torquay, did a spell at South Devon College and then joined the Royal Air Force which took me around the world. On retirement from the RAF, I returned home to the Torbay area and I been here ever since.
Within my ward areas and Paignton, there is a variety of residential, commercial businesses and tourism. Throughout the seasons they all present different challenges that myself, colleagues and partner agency all try to address.
As we are now approaching the peak of the summer, we have noticed an increase in youth Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) throughout the seafront and Town Centre areas. As a Neighbourhood Police Team, we have, and will continue, to target patrol these areas of increased activities.
The beach Huts below Roundham Gardens in the Youngs Park area still keeps drawing youth issues with ASB upsetting the harmonious balance with Beach Hut users. Working with the Beach Hut User Group (BHUG) and Torbay Council, there is now a Torbay Council installed CCTV in this area.
Sgt Stu Sweatman regularly attends these meetings and keeps us all appraised on what is going on locally. Recently, via our Neighbourhood Police Inspector for this area, Inspector Chris Lithgow has authorised several Section 35 ASB dispersal orders, which has had a massive impact on reducing ASB. This is supported fantastically with our Police Response Officers giving us more tools to use. However, this has to reach a certain criteria before being authorised.
Throughout the year we conduct school patrols. This is where local PCSOs target patrol outside the educational facilities before and after school. This is a great way of meeting your local PCSO, either with or without your children.
I cover South Devon College, Collaton St.Mary Primary School, Hayes Primary School, Roselands Primary School and Paignton Academy, Borough Road Site. With the Primary schools, we also attend to give presentations on the age of criminal responsibilities which is a good thing.
Please feel free to chat with me when I am out and about. If I cannot assist, I do have a wealth of local knowledge and can draw on this for signposting.
Tom