Cops launch summer blitz on antisocial behaviour in towns

Police in Renfrew and Johnstone have kicked off a summer crackdown on violence and youth disorder.

Increased patrols will be carried out at trouble hotspots across the town centre areas in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year’s antisocial behaviour problems.

Officers examined crime stats from the previous summer period to identify problem areas they plan to target during the school holidays.

They will team up with Renfrewshire Council Wardens along with Youth and Environmental Services teams in a bid to stamp out issues in the area.

As part of the programme, mounted officers and specialist dog branch teams will also be drafted in to help police in areas of concern.

Plainclothes cops will be out looking to identify problems before they get out-of-control.

The initiative was officially launched yesterday.

Sergeant Barry McNaught, from Johnstone, Renfrew and the villages community policing team, said: “The summer season safety campaign will be running in both Renfrew and Johnstone town centres.

“As a community policing team we are committed to making a difference in our town centres.

“We had a number of issues in these areas last year, so this year we have put together a partnership with colleagues at Renfrewshire Council’s Youth Services, Environmental Services, Wardens and also the elected members on both sides to try and make a visible difference.

“There will be extra high visibility patrols by officers on foot and bicycle and also on horse back.

“Our specialist dog teams will also be supporting us.

“Alongside that we will have plainclothes officers deployed to the area working with the Youth Services teams in order to identify any problematic individuals but also to identify any deeper lying concerns with youths in this area.

“Antisocial behaviour and violence is unacceptable and our communities should not have to tolerate it.

“There will be a zero tolerance approach for this plan. We will all be working hard together to make sure the locations are safe and welcoming for the entire community.”

The summer safety campaign will run from today until Thursday, August 15.

Anyone who wants to report youth disorder or any community safety concern can phone police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.