‘We’re not under siege any more’ say Southampton shopkeepers

Last summer businesses in Shirley told the BBC they had seen a spate of incidents involving groups of teenagers, including vandalism and intimidation.

PC Tom Byrne, the local officer for Shirley, admitted they always see a rise in anti-social behaviour over the summer months but not to the same extent as 12 months ago.

There was now a “much lower” amount of reported anti-social behaviour.

He said: “From speaking to businesses that is the general feeling that things are much better this year.”

Byrne said the police have taken a more “robust” approach to anti-social behaviour in the area.

He said one of the main repeat offenders had since been dealt with by the courts, which he believed had acted as “a good deterrent” for other would-be offenders.

He added: “We are prepared to take action against offenders, no matter what their age is because we want to make sure everyone in our community feels safe to come and shop on the high street and go to the parks.”

Cabinet member for communities on Southampton City Council, Toqeer Kataria, praised a 10-week programme introduced in September, which saw increased CCTV and security guards on the high street and the surrounding area.

He added that the local authority continued to work closely with the police, businesses and schools as part of a Safe City Partnership, to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide support for young people where necessary.