United response to youth trouble

A partnership between police and local safety groups is to tackle anti-social behaviour in part of Leicestershire.

The force and the four Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) have pooled their financial resources to fund an East Area Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

The CSPs in Melton Mowbray, Harborough district, Oadby & Wigston and Rutland have put £50,000 each into the scheme.

The cash has gone on a team of nine part-time and two full-time community support officers and a co-ordinator.

Targeted patrols

Leicestershire Constabulary has also contributed £90,000 to the scheme.

Research shows that incidents of anti-social behaviour are highest in the evening, so the teams will work mainly after 4pm.

They will deal with problems of minor disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Leicestershire constabulary's partnership manager Frances Burgess said: "The ASB co-ordinator monitors the complaints of anti-social behaviour and keeps the teams updated with the latest information.

"The teams then patrol the areas where the problems are being reported and talk to and engage the young people concerned."