POLICE officers carried out extra patrols at parks and shops during half term to try and combat antisocial behaviour.

Officers from Southend’s community policing team worked alongside special constables who volunteered their time to help provide a visible police presence.

The initiative, codenamed Operation Redbull, is carried out with the support of Essex County Council’s youth offending service.

Sgt Ian Hughes, from the community policing team, said that the operation was proactive - rather than reacting to any particular problems or incidents in the borough.

He said: “We carried out patrols at key rimes every day to address any incidents of antisocial behaviour.

“We targeted mainly parks and high streets, such as Old Leigh, Leigh Broadway, Gunners Park and Shoebury Park.

“They were roaming patrols led by the special constables.

“There was no particular problems that we came across, but we just wanted to offer reassurance to residents through visibility as the public were worried about antisocial behaviour, as it was half term.”

Mr Hughes said that his team dispersed large groups of youths who congregated in parks.

Anyone with information about youths carrying out antisocial behaviour can call Essex Police on 101, or contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.