Action group wins national recognition (From Thisisdorset)
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Action group wins national recognition
4:18pm Friday 13th October 2006 in Latest By Andy Davey
PROBLEM: Overnight and long-term parking at Studland was one issue that the action group tackled
A PURBECK beauty spot with a reputation as a focal point for voyeurs interested in casual sex has cleaned up its act.
After years of squabbling, Studland's beach users put their differences behind them in 2004 when they joined forces to form an action group, vowing to tackle crime and stamp out antisocial behaviour.
Studland Beach Users Action Group has met with dramatic success, working hard to tackle the behaviour of a minority of visitors who come to the beach looking for sex.
It has also helped change the negative perception of naturists, who have traditionally used the northernmost part of the beach, and have wrongly been associated with sexual misconduct in the past.
Now the Home Office has presented the group, which is an umbrella organisation for dozens of other groups that use the beach, including Studland United Nudists, the National Trust and Studland Riding Stables, with a Respect Award for Taking a Stand in recognition of its success.
Chairman of Studland Beach Users Action Group Purbeck District Councillor Gloria Marsh, said: "It is extremely pleasing that our efforts have been recognised by an external authority. The group remains committed to taking this good work forward."
“It is extremely pleasing that our efforts have been recognised by an external authority. The group remains committed to taking this good work forward.”
Gloria Marsh
High visibility police patrols and an effective leaflet and information campaign have helped slash car crime in Studland's car parks, which fell dramatically last summer.
And with the support of Purbeck District Council the group has won its fight for a traffic regulation order preventing overnight camping on Ferry Road, which has caused disruption and delays for visitors to the beach in the past.
The Taking a Stand Awards is part of a national scheme run jointly by the Home Office and Crime Concern. Recipients of the award each receive £1,000 to be reinvested back into the community.
