THE manager of a Basingstoke restaurant has said he does not feel safe at work due to antisocial behaviour issues in the town.

The manager of a popular Italian restaurant chain in Top of Town, Kevin Thornton, has told the Gazette that he is concerned about the number of incidents in the town centre that get missed by police.

He said that he has been forced to call Hampshire Constabulary on several occasions over the last year following incidents in his restaurant, but he has been left frustrated by the response, with some occasions no police officers being deployed.

He continued: "It definitely affects the business and all the businesses at the Top of Town because the whole area is like it. The most important thing is that me and the other staff don't feel safe in there some days.

"They don't want to walk home on their own and even while we are working people are hanging around out the front and what do you do? All you can do is call the police but they don't come.

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"It does make me angry but I would say the most important thing is I go to work every day and I don't feel safe at work."

He said he has experienced several antisocial incidents over the past year and often has people come in refusing to pay, and people abusive to staff and customers.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed several occasions where they were called to the restaurant.

Police were called at 3.33pm on Friday, June 16 to reports of anti-social behaviour on London Road, Basingstoke. It was reported a group was hanging around outside the door.

They were also called just before 4pm on March 8 to reports of a man outside the restaurant refusing to leave. The man left prior to police deployment.

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Hampshire police were called on a third occasion at 2.21pm on January 25 to reports of a customer shouting at customers and staff. The woman left prior to police arrival. 

Despite the concerns, police have reassured residents that actions are being taken to stop such incidents. 

A spokesperson said: "Officers are conducting enhanced patrols in the town centre to target ASB and crime that can come in conjunction with the summer period.

"We are working closely with our partner organisations and are committed to making Basingstoke a safer area for those that work, live, and visit.

"We will continue to work hard to make the town centre a hostile environment for those that wish to cause disruption and commit a crime.

"We always urge people to report concerns or incidents to us, as it allows us to focus resources in the places they are needed the most. People can report by calling 101, or online at hampshire.police.uk."