Behave! Police on patrol
DEDICATED ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR TEAM SET UP
A NEW team has been set up to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) across three towns.
Operation Behave is being launched with a patrol dedicated to tackling problems in and around Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Wigston.
The force said one patrol car will be patrolling the towns from 8am until 11pm, seven days a week.
A police spokesman said: “The operation will coincide with the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday, April 12, when incidents in parks and open spaces are expected to rise, particularly due to the lighter evenings.
“The dedicated ASB car will be patrolled by officers from Market Harborough who will be targeting areas where analysis has shown antisocial behaviour is a problem in the area, particularly last year.”
Inspector Siobhan Gorman, commander of Market Harborough police, said: “Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Wigston police have set up Operation Behave to deal with an expected rise in antisocial behaviour.
“Coming out of the winter months, the warmer weather and longer nights, coupled with the gradual relaxation of the lockdown, will undoubtedly see a rise in reports to the police and councils in ASB.
“This shows the public we are committed to preventing ASB and to dealing with it as it happens.
“We need the public’s help to do this and I’d ask anyone witnessing ASB to call 101 and report it so we can respond quickly.”
She said officers will make use of their powers of dispersal to separate large groups, under section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, and to seize alcohol if they believe it is contributing to ASB.
“Where Harborough District Council is able to assist, with regard to noise or environmental problems, officers will liaise with the various departments to ensure a partnership