POLICE in Redditch have stepped up patrols in a drive to put an end to anti-social behaviour in the town centre.
It follows reports of people urinating around the bandstand in Church Green, to the disgust of shoppers and visitors.
And officers are calling on members of the public to play their part too by reporting to them any incident they might witness.
“Even if we cannot tackle it there and then at least we will be aware of it and can look out for it happening again,” said PC Andy Freeman from the Abbey Safer Neighbourhood Team, which covers the town centre.
Officers are also strictly enforcing the no-alcohol zone which stretches from the ring road to the Ipsley Street underpass.
“Families want to come in to the town centre to relax and enjoy themselves, they shouldn’t have to put up with that sort of behaviour,” said PC Freeman.
The SNT are familiar faces in the town centre, the officers on first name terms with many of the people who spend their day on Church Green.
“We’re also working with other agencies on this but if people see anything they should let us know so we can deal with it,” said PC Freeman.
The move is seen as part of the SNT’s ongoing police work, but the unit has also written to every business in the area notifying them of their actions.
With regard to the recent spate of vandalism along Market Place, the SNT is working with officers from other units to prevent it happening again.
“If we can deal with the long term issues we can hopefully drive down the demand on our fast response colleagues,” said PC Freeman.
He also advised that anyone wishing to complain at any bedding left around the town centre should contact the borough council.
