POLICE are clamping down on anti-social behaviour in Bicester, and will be launching a new operation to specifically target the problem.

Bicester Town Neighbourhood Policing Team will be carrying out high visibility patrols as part of Operation Jamb 2, which will be running from tomorrow until September 4.

This is the third year the operation has run in Bicester and the aim is to deter and reduce all types of anti-social behaviour with particular attention being paid to areas of open spaces such as parks.

Anti-social behaviour was identified as one of three neighbourhood policing priorities in Bicester in June 2016, following feedback from the public.

The force receives a call once every 20 minutes on average regarding anti-social behaviour incidents across the Thames Valley.

PC James Waterson, from Bicester NHPT, said: "Historically, during the month of August we have seen an increase in reports of noisy gatherings in our local open spaces as well as reports of graffiti, criminal damage to play equipment and, on some occasions, reports of drug use.

"At a recent town council meeting, local councillors highlighted anti-social behaviour as an issue so we consider the operation to be both timely and necessary.

"We will therefore be patrolling areas which are either known to have experienced problems or areas which the community is telling us are currently experiencing issues.

"Operation Jamb 2 will not just focus on anti-social behaviour. If we find that we are experiencing an increase in another crime type, such as theft from motor vehicles or burglary, we will ensure that officers’ patrols reflect this.

"We will be giving regular patrol updates via Twitter and we would encourage people to reply and let us know if they would like us to include other areas to patrol. Community engagement is key to ensuring we are in the right place at the right time."

For further updates follow @TVP_Bicester on Twitter via the hashtag #OpJamb2