Bracknell

Operation Lion Cub, the initiative set up by Bracknell's neighbourhood policing team to tackle anti-social behaviour, has been highlighted by the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) as an example of good practice. The operation is currently featured in the community safety section of GOSE's website.

Since its launch in June 2007, Bracknell Operation Lion Cub has had a significant impact on anti-social behaviour across the borough. According to the Bracknell Forest partnership's information gathering system, CADIS (Community nuisance and Disorder Information System), there was a 15.1 per cent reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour (ASB) between the start of the operation and 31 December 2009.

A survey of Bracknell residents on the Lion Cub contact list, and those visited through house-to-house consultations in ASB hotspots, showed that 68 per cent of respondents felt the operation had helped to reduce the level of criminal activity in their neighbourhood. The majority felt that Operation Lion Cub had increased the level of reassurance within their community and 74 per cent said that their relationship with neighbourhood officers had improved as a result of the operation.

Operation Bracknell Lion Cub was set up in response to concerns raised by the community about anti-social behaviour, particularly youth disorder, vandalism in the vicinity of public houses, and vehicle-related crime. It aims to provide public reassurance through a highly visible police presence, provide a prompt and appropriate response to reports of ASB, and to reduce crime and disorder.

Residents who have previously contacted police about anti-social behaviour are asked if they would like to be involved in the operation as "eyes and ears." These volunteers are given a telephone number that links directly to the police officer in charge.

Operation Lion Cub takes place on Friday and Saturday nights, which are peak times for ASB. Before going out on patrol, officers from the Bracknell neighbourhood policing team are briefed at 6.30pm in the open air at ASB hotspots, with marked police cars parked nearby to ensure maximum visibility.

If ASB is reported by the "eyes and ears" during the operation, the officer in charge deploys resources to that location. Otherwise the neighbourhood teams patrol their own areas, paying special attention to known ASB hotspots.

Insp Michael Squire, neighbourhood inspector for Bracknell South, who set up Operation Lion Cub, said: "We're pleased that GOSE has recognised the work we have been doing to tackle anti-social behaviour. Lion Cub has not only reduced low-level crime and disorder, but also improved community confidence in the police.

"Whilst the operation is still working well, we are always keen to do better. We will continue to develop our strategies with our partners in other areas, as well as looking at ways to improve wherever possible."

Following the success of Operation Lion Cub in Bracknell Forest, a similar initiative was launched in Wokingham local police area in October 2009, and there are plans to introduce the idea to other parts of the Thames Valley Police area.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell