Gloucester police crackdown on city centre crime gets mixed response

Summarised from BBC Gloucestershire's report · Updated 5 Nov, 15:09 · Archive

Police increased patrols in Gloucester city centre in August following anti-social behaviour, with mixed results on safety.

Police in Gloucester increased street patrols and confiscated alcohol in the city centre from August after problems with drunken behaviour, street fighting and shoplifting. Inspector James O'Neill said public feedback had been positive, with people reporting they felt safer. However, some residents and business owners said problems with drunken behaviour and fighting persist in the city centre.

Over four weekends of increased patrols, officers dealt with ten reports of anti-social behaviour, arrested a wanted man, seized 54 cans of alcohol under the city's Public Spaces Protection Order and visited three shops suspected of selling strong alcohol to known offenders. The extra patrols on Friday and Saturday afternoons were funded by the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner.

Resident Gary Cleaver said he felt fairly safe when visiting the city centre on Friday and Saturday nights, though acknowledged there was a certain amount of danger. Another resident, Claire, said she regularly witnessed fighting and abusive language along Southgate Street.

Read the report

• Has crackdown on crime in city centre worked?Some residents and business owners say there are still problems with drunken people and fighting.BBC Gloucestershire · 5 Nov, 06:30

In this story: Gloucester · Inspector James O'Neill · Gloucestershire Police

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