Community safety patrol officers at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council have launched a new campaign aiming to tackle anti-social behaviour during the summer months.

The council said warmer weather and school holidays can result in increased incidents of anti-social behaviour and as a result have launched a Safer Summer campaign to help reduce this by encouraging people to enjoy the summer while staying safe.

The community safety patrol officers are focusing on four key areas including responsible use of alcohol, littering, fires and barbecues in open spaces and new parks and play areas.

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While carrying out high visibility patrols, they are talking to people and provide information on suitable places to play and summer events taking place.

They are also reminding people of the laws around fires and barbeques in open spaces and asking people using parks and open spaces for picnics to dispose of their rubbish properly. Where necessary, they will also issue fines to those people caught littering.

Cabinet member for communities, partnerships and inclusion, Cllr John McKay said: “The summer months, which include the school summer holidays, are a great time for people to go out and enjoy all that the borough has to offer.

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“It is also a time where we can see an increase in antisocial behaviour, so our team of community safety patrol officers are proactively targeting hot spot areas to offer advice and reassurance and taking steps to prevent inconsiderate and unsafe behaviour so that everyone can have an enjoyable summer.”

While incidents of antisocial behaviour should be reported to the police by calling 101 or online hampshire.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us, the council’s community safety patrol team aim to be responsive to residents’ concerns by increasing patrols in known trouble spots.

They can be contacted by emailing cspo@basingstoke.gov.uk or by calling the borough council on 01256 844844. Always call 999 in an emergency.