Lyme Online : Lyme Regis council bids for government funds for seafront security guards

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour problems experienced in Lyme Regis last summer have returned again, according to the town council, which is now applying for government funding to employ security guards. Lyme Regis Town Council last year took the unprecedented decision to employ security guards to patrol the seafront and public gardens during eight weeks of summer, for a total cost of £10,080, following a number of complaints about late night noise and disruption in the area. Some residents said the issue was so bad they were forced to find alternative accommodation at weekends. At this week’s meeting of the Town Management & Highways Committee, councillors expressed concerns that similar issues were starting to arise again, particularly in the Monmouth Beach area and in the seafront gardens. Issues have included a town council-owned plastic barrier and traffic cones being burnt on an open fire at Monmouth Beach, signs in Lister Gardens being ripped down, noise and large gatherings, public urination, underage drinking and drug taking with litter, broken glass and drug paraphernalia being left behind. Read full story here