POLICE hit the streets en masse in the latest crackdown on crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in Bishop's Stortford, Sawbridgeworth and Buntingford.
The high-visibility patrols in the town centre, railway station, anti-social hotspots and neighbourhood communities last Friday night rammed home the force's approach of zero tolerance.
Six people were arrested, 85 were stopped and questioned, alcohol was seized and fixed penalty tickets were issued during the latest phase of Herts Constabulary's ongoing Operation Attitude.
Licensing officers from East Herts District Council joined police to carry out checks and ensure late-night licensing conditions at pubs, clubs and eateries were being adhered to.
Some 53 officers were on duty to cover the three towns. They included members of the Bishop's Stortford neighbourhood team, special constables, British Transport Police, members of Herts police's eastern area tactical team and road policing unit, plus officers from Essex Police.
A detailed briefing of the evening's work took place at Bishop's Stortford's Basbow Lane police station before everyone headed out to give a high-visibility presence on the streets.
The crackdown, the second of its kind in three months, was heralded a success. Results for the evening show two arrests for common assault following a domestic incident, one for theft and disqualified driving, one for burglary, one for possession of the class A drug cocaine and one for being drunk and disorderly.
Police stopped 85 people. Of those, 23 were searched and 62 were asked to account for their activities.
Officers seized one vehicle, made five seizures of alcohol, and issued two fixed penalty tickets for traffic offences.
Insp Andy Piper, commander of Bishop's Stortford police, said: "The operation was a success and had a very positive effect in dealing with anti-social behaviour and the nighttime economy in the town.
"This type of operation should reassure our neighbourhoods that we are committed to taking a robust approach to town centre policing.
"We have received very positive feedback from residents about the improvements in the town since we increased high-visibility patrols."
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