Winter of Action to tackle town centre crime

A Winter of Action has been launched to crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour over winter.

Police, councils and businesses have united to protect shoppers, retail workers and Christmas revellers.

Police will use hotspot patrols, quick visible enforcement, and locally tailored approaches, working closely with businesses and community groups to clamp down on shop theft and street crime across hundreds of town centres.

The Winter of Action builds on the Safer Streets Summer initiative, which was carried out in almost 650 town centres and resulted in over 16,000 arrests and fines, mostly for shop theft and anti-social behaviour.  

Targeted visible patrols were also up 20 per cent compared to last year. According to a IPSOS national survey, levels of anti-social behaviour witnessed or experienced in town centres reduced over the summer.  

There was also a fall in concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime deterring people from visiting their local town or city centre.

Greater Manchester Police saw shop theft and other forms of theft reduced by 20% from last year, street crime down by 11 per cent, and serious violent crime down by 8% as part of their Safer Streets Summer activity.  

Meanwhile, violent crime nearly halved in Weymouth town centre thanks to dedicated patrols that began during the summer months, with increased activity taking place in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights.  

Home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said: "Shoplifting and anti-social behaviour are tearing at the fabric of our communities.  

"This winter we are launching a crime-fighting blitz with police patrolling our high streets across the country.  

"This is part of our wider plans to fight crime with 3,000 more police on the beat by the spring to catch criminals and make our communities safe."

APCC Joint Leads on Local Policing, Chris Nelson (PCC for Gloucestershire) and Matt Storey (PCC for Cleveland) said: "Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) and deputy mayors are committed to driving efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour so that neighbourhoods and communities can thrive.  

"The government’s Winter of Action will build on the success of the Safer Streets Summer initiative with a particular focus on tackling retail crime and persistent anti-social behaviour, and offending linked to the night-time economy and male violence against women and girls.  

"We are determined to deliver continued change for our local communities so, with our local police forces and other partners, PCCs and deputy mayors will be working harder than ever during these busier, festive months to keep people safe."