New police officers to tackle anti-social behaviour

A police force is to receive more resources and officers to deal with anti-social behaviour (ASB) as part of a government-backed scheme.

Gloucestershire Police will recruit 36 extra officers to help implement an ASB action plan to address the issues in county hotspots.

It comes as residents in Abbeymead have told the BBC of bins being set alight, flour and eggs being thrown at cars and people riding modified electric scooters.

The force said it has been increasing patrols of the Gloucester suburb as a result.

Amanda Astle lives in Abbeymead and said she has found "gangs of kids hanging" outside shops and restaurants, "causing a nuisance" by "throwing flour and eggs at cars".

"[It] scares people to come out, scares people to go to the shop", she said, adding "they have been out every night".

Astle said there has been a bigger police presence in recent weeks.

Steve Jordan, another resident, said he has not noticed such serious anti-social behaviour but admitted it does crop up from time to time.

"Sometimes people smash up that particular bus shelter, and down the alleyway, several bottles have been smashed on the pavement, which, with my dog, is obviously an issue," he said.

One woman, who did not want to be named for fear of reaction, said "people have been setting bins on fire" and "bushes on fire right next to" her house, adding "with a newborn baby, it's quite scary".

The force's neighbourhood policing team have been on patrol in the area after reports of "stealing from shops, letting off fireworks and disrupting traffic".

Insp James O'Neill, from the team, said: "Our officers have been working in the Abbeymead community to tackle the ongoing problems of ASB that people have been experiencing recently."

Gloucestershire Police said it will recruit the new officers in the next financial year and Supt James Glansfield has been appointed as the anti-social behaviour lead.

"[We will] ensure activity is targeted where it is needed most, that it's provided by the most appropriate agency and is delivered in line with local expectations," Glansfield said.

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Nelson, said the government money is welcome, and he would like to see the ASB rate much lower than it currently is, but admitted resourcing is a challenge with the force having "serious financial problems".

"Over the last two years, I've managed to get an extra million pounds each year to deal with anti-social behaviour. " Nelson said.

"This year I don't have that million pounds, so I've had to find that money from within the budget, that hasn't been easy."

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