Seven arrests in yobssummer crackdown

Arrests have been made in Aldwick as extra police patrols are operated to stop yobs ruining summer for residents.

The first two nights of the special operation saw seven people arrested. Four of those detained were accused of criminal damage. The other three were alleged to possess drugs.

The initial four arrests were made near Aldwick duck pond on the opening night of the patrols late last month. They were followed 24 hours later by the other three arrests in the West Meads area.

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Bognor's top police officer, Inspector John Merrick, said the additional patrols would continue throughout the summer on Friday and Saturday nights.

They would see up to 20 police officers, police community support officers and specials taking to the streets into the early hours of the mornings.

Other areas targeted for the high profile patrols will be known hotspots for anti-social behaviour such as Summerley Lane and Limmer Lane in Felpham as well as Heath Place and Durban Road in North Bersted.

The concerted effort to crack down on yobs is in addition to the ongoing patrols along The Esplanade which have succeeded in reducing violent crime there.

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However, this initiative is being extended to cover dispersal routes for clubbers such as Linden Road and Canada Grove. These roads saw a rise in violent offences in the year to the end of March.

The first two weekends of this new pattern of patrols resulted in 11 arrests in all.

Insp Merrick said: 'These extra patrols are going to be a regular feature of the summer weekends, which are traditionally a busy period.

'We will be using as many officers as we can to keep the streets safe for everybody.

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'The patrols start at 7.30pm because we want to set the tone early so people can see a police presence on the streets as they go out.

'That can help to prevent problems later on if they know we are going to be there.

'It also enables officers to intervene early with fixed penalty notices for public order offences and being drunk and disorderly to prevent physical violence occurring later on at night.'

An alcohol awareness night was staged on The Esplanade last Friday to pass on information about safe drinking.

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