ANTI-social behaviour hotspots across Warwickshire are to be targeted by new police patrols.
The town centres of Rugby, Leamington and Stratford are among 18 areas in the county earmarked for the extra patrols, funded by a £1million grant from the Home Office to tackle violence and disorder.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “Anti-social behaviour is not low-level crime and it needs a strong police and partner response to tackle it.
“These additional high-visibility uniformed foot patrols result from pilots elsewhere in England and Wales, which show that they are effective at reducing crime and deterring anti-social behaviour.
“I hope we will see similar results here in Warwickshire to help underline the message that anti-social behaviour and violent disorder will not be tolerated.”
The hot spot patrol model has been piloted in 10 areas of the country over the past six months, leading to nearly 600 arrests, close to 1,500 stop and searches and around 700 uses of anti-social behaviour powers.
The proposals have been submitted to the Home Office for final approval, with hotspot patrols set to begin in April, continuing for 12 months.
