| Police officers in Newbury and Thatcham will be putting their best foot forward to patrol the area during the summer holidays, tackling crime and disorder.
The successful Operation Footstep has returned to the area and has been underway for three weeks.
It will run every weekend throughout the summer holidays in hot spot areas, particularly those where youths gather at night.
So far, the operation has seen officers working Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights patrolling in areas where concerns have been raised by residents or information from police briefing systems have shown that attention is needed.
The officers, supported by Special constables and Police Community Support Officers have been speaking to youths in groups to make them aware of the impact of their behaviour on the rest of the community. Where youths have been found to be drinking officers have been seizing alcohol and also escorting them home to their parents.
Sgt Simon Briggs, who is overseeing the operation, said: “The summer holidays are a time when there are a lot more young people out and about. The huge majority of them are doing nothing wrong and they are just enjoying the long break and warm weather with their friends.
“Footstep is about ensuring these young people stay safe and also ensuring they are treating an area and its residents with respect.
“There are a small minority of youths who do ruin the holidays for everyone else and we will be targeting them. We will not accept offending or bad behaviour and those who continue in such a manner will be dealt with.
“We have seized a large amount of alcohol and made over a dozen arrests in dealing with the problematic groups and this will continue.
Another major concern has been the anti-social use of motor vehicles and we have also been taking action against those who have been riding them. This has initially involved warnings but any repeat offences will be dealt with by seizing vehicles.
Footstep is part of the intelligence-led policing style at West Berkshire. All information, including calls from the public, are recorded and used to build a picture of the issues across the Local Police Area. Please continue to share information with police so an accurate picture of needs can be built up.
Contact your local policing team via 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or leave your name, but have information you want to share, contact Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111. | 
