Police Launch Operation to Target Anti-Social Behaviour during Respect Week

Local policing teams in Wythall and Alvechurch have launched a new operation to target anti-social behaviour throughout the summer months.

The operation has been timed to coincide with ‘Respect Week', a force-wide campaign to highlight the positive measures police are taking to tackle anti-social behaviour, particularly as the school holidays start.

As part of the operation, police will be providing increased high visibility patrols in key locations in Wythall and Alvechurch, particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.

The aim of the operation is to provide a reassuring police presence so that everyone can enjoy the facilities in the area without feeling fearful or intimidated. It also aims to deter under-age drinking and reduce anti-social behaviour.

As part of their reassurance patrols, police say that they will be looking to engage with young people in Wythall and Alvechurch, and that they will be adopting a zero-tolerance approach where they find disorderly behaviour or under age drinking.

Anyone under the age of 18 caught drinking alcohol should expect to have it seized and disposed of and police warn that they will also take action against anyone buying alcohol for a minor.

The Local Policing team will be in close liaison with the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and will follow up any encounters with letters home to parents.

Local Policing Sergeant Ben Hembry explained: "Anti-social behaviour has been raised as a PACT (Partners and Communities Together) priority in the local area and we hope that residents will feel reassured by the positive action we are taking to address it.

"We genuinely feel that everyone should be able to enjoy village life in Alvechurch and Wythall but disorderly or drunken behaviour by a small minority can have a big impact, both on other youngsters and the community as a whole.

"The PACT process has been instrumental in getting the MUGA (multi use gym areas) for Wythall and Alvechurch and these have proved to be ideal places for young people to catch up with their friends.

"We want to ensure that these facilities can continue to be used safely and so will be taking a firm approach over the summer months where we find anyone acting in an anti-social manner.

"We have already confiscated beer, wine and spirits from youngsters in the area and they can expect to see a high police presence over the weeks ahead."

Police are encouraging anyone witnessing anti-social behaviour to call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, while other issues of local concern can be raised at the next PACT meeting.

The next PACT meeting for Alvechurch will be held on Tuesday 13 October at 7pm at Alvechurch Village Hall while the next Wythall PACT meeting will be on Monday 19 October at 7.30pm at Woodrush High School.

More details on these are available at www.westmerica.police.uk under the Local Policing heading.