POLICE and local authorities have delivered more than 4,500 additional patrols across the force area between April and September this year.

As the operation reaches its halfway point, Avon and Somerset Police have shared some examples of what has been achieved during the April–September period and here is an update on Weston-super-Mare.

A police spokesperson said: “Officers on patrol in Weston-super-Mare noticed a group of people trying to enter a building.

“A resident reported that one of the individuals was carrying a baseball bat and threatening others on the street.

“The baseball bat was seized inside the address and a 25-year-old man was arrested for affray.

“He was charged and remanded in custody, before pleading guilty to one count of assault and four counts of breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order on September 12.”

These targeted patrols are part of a wider operation funded by the Home Office, aimed at driving down anti-social behaviour (ASB) and serious violence in 72 locations forcewide where issues have been widely and continuously reported.

With 327 police officers and PCSOs involved, a sustained police presence in city and town centres, high streets and public spaces has resulted in:

• 67 arrests

• 35 stop searches

• 9 weapons seized

• 71 ASB interventions issued.