Special police patrol is being set up to tackle anti-social behaviour at night in and around Harborough

A special police patrol is being set up to tackle anti-social behaviour in and around Market Harborough.

A dedicated police car will tour Market Harborough and the surrounding area seven days a week from 8am to 11pm.

The exercise will run until the end of the summer holidays in late August, said Leicestershire Police.

Operation Behave will coincide with the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday April 12, “when incidents in parks and open spaces are expected to rise, particularly due to the lighter evenings”.

The ‘ASB car’ will be crewed up by officers from Market Harborough.

They will target well-known blackspots where analysis has shown anti-social behaviour is a major problem.

Insp Siobhan Gorman, in charge of policing in Harborough, said: “Market Harborough, Lutterworth and Wigston police are have set up Operation Behave to deal with an expected rise in anti-social behaviour (ASB).

“Coming out of the winter months, the warmer weather and longer nights, coupled with the gradual relaxation of the lockdown, will undoubtedly see a rise in reports to the police and councils in ASB.”

She added: “This shows the public we are committed to preventing ASB and to dealing with it as it happens.

“We need the public’s help to do this and I’d ask anyone witnessing ASB to call 101 and report it so we can respond quickly.”

Officers will make use of their powers of dispersal to move large groups away and keep them dispersed (under section 35 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014).

Police also have powers to seize alcohol if they believe it is helping to fuel anti-social behaviour.

Officers will also work closely with Harborough District Council over annoying noise and environmental issues, police said.