Patrols after town hit by anti-social behaviour

Community support officers and wardens are regularly on patrol in Warwick, after the town was identified as a policing hotspot because of a rise in anti-social behaviour.

Warwickshire Police introduced two support officers to carry out patrols at peak times. They are sometimes joined by a police officer.

The town was identified as a policing 'hotspot' last summer.

Community warden Sheila Coughlin, whose role is to help deter theft and anti-social behaviour, said she had made an effort to engage with young people and earn their trust so they do not misbehave.

"They hang around the shops and that's when we move them on in a way that we'll have chats with them, then we'll politely ask them to move.

"There are people that live on top of the shops and it's not very comfortable for them.

"Nine times out of 10 they [young people] will move for us because they know us. We've built that relationship with them."

The town's independent traders are also making sure their businesses remain safe.

Sharon Steadman, who has owned ladies fashion boutique NV Her in the town for 18 years, has seen a rise in shoplifting. She said residents and traders also had concerns about a nearby hotel housing male asylum seekers.

"We are independent. We're very fortunate. There's not many of us who are ever on our own in the shops anyway. There's always two or three girls, especially in here.

"We've got CCTV... We've all got security systems in place as well."

Natasha Toney, from Present Days, said: "We do get homeless people dotted around the town and they do come into our shop and they can be a little bit too friendly sometimes towards female members of staff.

"All the independent shops, we are working really closely together. We're supporting each other. We're looking out for each other."

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