POLICE are urging people in the St Austell area to report any anti-social behaviour when they see it occurring rather than waiting until later.

Officers from the town’s neighbourhood policing team say prompt reports give them the opportunity to attend situations and deal with any trouble at the time.

This is, of course, a more efficient approach than having to investigate incidents after they have taken place.

The neighbourhood team says it has made the tackling of anti-social behaviour a priority.

Officers say they are committed to addressing anti-social behaviour by working with partner agencies such as housing providers, Cornwall Council, youth groups, support agencies and others.

They are engaging with communities and affected parties to seek suitable resolutions to any identified issues.

Their most recent report says: “High-visibility patrols are continuing in partnership with security officers from St Austell BID (Business Improvement District).

“We have also been working closely with partners to tackle anti-social behaviour offenders in hotspot areas. This work continues and is focusing on the town centre and Bugle areas.

“If you experience any anti-social behaviour, please ensure that it's reported at the time it's occurring in order to provide us with the opportunity to attend and deal with it at the time, rather than us investigating it after it has taken place.”

Across the summer, officers along with partners conducted high-visibility patrols. They also funded youth engagement work in some of the hotspots to prevent anti-social behaviour occurring by diverting young people into other activities.

Officers dealt with persistent anti-social offenders by escalating them through the anti-social behaviour process, which can result in criminal behaviour orders being applied for.

A number of warnings were served on people reported to be causing issues. The police also worked with partners to remove squatters from the old General Wolfe public house in the town centre and to secure the building.

Three residential addresses which were related to anti-social behaviour issues were closed down through the magistrate courts to prevent further disorder.