Ongoing concerns have been raised around the supply and use of drugs in the town centre, predominantly use by the homeless and dealers seeking to exploit them. This has had a knock on effect with anti-social behaviour, low-level disorder, violence and theft from the shops and businesses.

An officer has been allocated to liaise with businesses throughout the town to address repeat shoplifters and issues raised by business owners.

Local officers and PCSO's have been tasked with daily high visibility patrols and proactive use of stop search in order to tackle drug possession and dealing. A variety of tools such as Community Protection Warnings/Notices, Community Behaviour Orders and arrests are used to tackle offending robustly and steer offenders into support services to address drug/alcohol abuse.

Local officers are also working closely with partners such as BID, Rough Sleepers and Community Safety Partnership teams to tackle the root cause of the issues. Work remains ongoing.

Rough sleepers and begging has been raised as an issue due to the intimidation of members of the public and the impact on local businesses.

We have allocated an officer to be a central point of contact to liaise with local businesses, Business Improvement District and Community Safety Partnerships, and address issues raised and coordinate a town centre response. Dedicated high visibility patrols have increased and we are using plain clothed officers, stop search and CCTV to identify offenders and use of anti-social behaviour legislation to tackle repeat offenders.

Positive action has been taken when offences of begging have been identified, however support and diversion tactics are to be implemented in conjunction.

Violence in the town centre, predominantly at weekends, has been an ongoing issue for this area.

Operation safer nights has been created to provide a visible policing presence in the town centre for Friday and Saturday nights. Numerous officers on foot and in vehicles are present through the town to provide reassurance and intervention if needed.

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) legislation is being used to provide dispersal powers as well as the use of CCTV to monitor and ensure the safety of those using the town centre.

Offenders arrested for violence are dealt with robustly with bail conditions, banning notices and Community Protection Warnings/Notices are used to prevent further incidents of disorder.