Re-launch of operation to tackle anti-social behaviour
Police in Clacton are re-launching an operation aimed at
reducing anti-social behaviour in the area.
Operation Duplex will involve high-visibility police patrols
around the town centre and officers will also focus on the exit and
entry routes into the town.
Police will adopt a zero tolerance approach to any public order
incidents or anti-social behaviour and officers will also be
working closely with local licensees on the issue.
Pc Gary Coe explained: “During the evenings when the pubs, bars and
local nightclubs are open, Clacton suffers higher levels of public
disorder.
Operation Duplex
is all about intervening with fairly low level disorder before
it develops into something more serious.
Pc Gary Coe"The good weather and the summer holiday season can often make
the problem worse as the town’s population can increase by a third
at the height of the busy season. The majority of those who go out
on a night out are sensible and cause no trouble at all, so it is
the minority who we will be looking to deal with.
“Operation Duplex is all about intervening with fairly low level
disorder before it develops into something more serious. We will be
patrolling the areas we know are prone to problems and will also be
using the town’s CCTV system to keep an eye on activity in the
town. Anyone seen acting inappropriately will be dealt with
immediately to ensure that the situation doesn’t escalate. We will
also be using CCTV to gather evidence against any offenders so that
they can be brought to justice.
Visitors and
residents should be able to feel safe and enjoy a night out in
our town, and we are determined not to let a small minority ruin
that.
Pc Gary Coe“Officers will also make use of the dispersal order, which
covers the town centre. The order enables us to disperse people
whose behaviour has resulted, or is likely to result, in a member
of the public being harassed, intimidated, alarmed or distressed.
The individuals can then be excluded from the specified area for up
to 24 hours or taken to their home address. It is a brilliant tool
for preventing anti-social behaviour from escalating.
“Visitors and residents should be able to feel safe and enjoy a
night out in our town, and we are determined not to let a small
minority ruin that,” added Pc Coe.
Operation Duplex will be carried out by the Clacton Central
Neighbourhood Policing Team and will be supported by the Special
Constabulary, the Mounted Unit and the Dog Section.
