Tough action is promised on yobs (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tough action is promised on yobs

DRUNKEN yobs, who are threatening to turn the streets of Cirencester into a battle zone, are being targeted as part of a major police clampdown.

Officers have had to deal with a large number of disorder offences during the last month and the same suspects have been involved on several occasions.

Trouble reached a peak on Saturday night when six people were arrested, following a disturbance in the Market Place.

Some were cautioned, while others were released on bail and will have to report back to answer further police questions.

In the meantime, Cirencester-based Inspector Mike Jacka is looking at a number of ways to target troublemakers.

He said: "We are committed to tackling the problems of disorder and anti-social behaviour, which are often associated with weekend drinking.

"We are not looking to stop people from enjoying themselves but if they overstep the mark and start causing a nuisance or committing criminal offences, then we will take action.

"Officers carry out high-profile patrols and will always look to respond swiftly to any reports of trouble.

"The BOBS (Behave or be Banned Scheme) run by the town's licensees is another excellent scheme to help deter troublemakers as landlords can ban them from drinking at all their pubs.

"And Cirencester's CCTV cameras also play an important part. They can direct officers to incidents to either defuse a situation before it escalates or else immediately take action if offences are happening."

Police have made 27 arrests in Cirencester since the start of June for matters related to disorder.

These have mainly occurred in the evening and on a Friday or Saturday and have been in connection with offences such as criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon, assaults and public order.

The Standard has also been told - although not by officers - that other incidents, allegedly involving some of the same suspects, have occurred in local pubs and streets, but have not been reported to the police.

Inspector Jacka said officers were using a force-wide initiative called Streetsafe to combat the problem.

And he says the clampdown isn't just aimed at street offences. He said: "We are also liaising with the town's housing agencies to take action, including eviction, against tenants who are persistently causing anti-social behaviour problems."

* Of the six people arrested in the Market Place at around 10pm on Saturday, three were arrested on suspicion of obstructing police in the execution of their duty and were taken to Stroud Police station.

A 21-year-old woman and a 25-year-old woman both admitted the offence and were given formal cautions.

A 30-year-old man was interviewed and released on police bail pending further enquiries. He is to report back on August 6.

Two other men, a 25-year old and a 24-year-old, were arrested on suspicion of public order offences.

They were also bailed until August 6 pending further enquiries.

Another man was arrested for breach of peace but was later released without charge.