Extra high-visibility patrols

Police will be carrying out extra high visibility patrols in Norwich next week in a bid to tackle issues with street drinking and anti-social behaviour.

The week of action will see targeted patrols on Prince of Wales Road and the surrounding area with officers focussing on street drinking and antisocial behaviour.

It starts on Monday (9 September 2024) and is part of the constabulary’s Op Focus initiative launched in May 2024.

Up to £1million of Home Office funding has been made available to Norfolk Police, through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, until the end of March 2025 to tackle antisocial behaviour in specific areas – known as hotspots – in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.

Chief Inspector Ed Brown, based at Bethel Street police station and leading the Op Focus project, said: “Exceptional policing is about protecting the vulnerable and keeping people safe, as well as trying to prevent and disrupt criminality.

“We routinely target ASB because we know how much this impacts on the quality of life for residents and businesses, so the intensification week and the additional funding gives us the opportunity to enhance our existing patrols and focus resources in an area where we know there are issues with street drinking and other antisocial behaviour.

“Communities feel reassured by seeing officers out and about on patrol, and we try to be as visible as possible. It sends a message that the behaviour isn’t acceptable and won’t be tolerated.”

Op Focus combines targeted and high visibility foot patrols in identified areas - hotspots – together with specialist problem solving advisors working with partners, such as local authorities, to address the drivers of ASB and serious violence.

Hotspots in Norwich include Prince of Wales Road, Tombland, Gas Hill, the train station, Rosary Road, Anglia Square, Exchange Street, the Market, Norwich bus stations and Greyfriars Road.

Great Yarmouth hotspots include The Conge, Market Place, Middle Marker, King Street, York Road, Middlegate, Marine Parade, Albert Square, Mill Road, Portland Wharf and Purley Court.

Hotspots in Norwich and Great Yarmouth accounted for 16.54% of street level serious crimes and 15.66% of all ASB in Norfolk between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2023.