Specialist officers patrolling Hereford over the festive period

Officers from Hereford will be out and about patrolling the city centre this weekend as part of an operation designed to create a safer night out for all.

For the first time plain-clothes police officers who are specially trained in behavioural detection will be in pubs and clubs to identify individuals who may be displaying concerning behaviour.

If they spot anyone, they will call on uniform colleagues to intervene to help prevent any criminal offences taking place as part of Op Rudolph.

Last Thursday (14 December) Hereford officers arrested two men for possession of drugs with intent to supply.

They were de-arrested following a more detailed search; however, drugs were seized, and an investigation has been started. A catapult and ball bearings as well as a knife were also recovered.

Police also intervened on a man who made several sexual remarks to a female undercover officer.

Around 50 people were spoken to on the night and given key messages by officers along with personal attack alarms.

On Friday 15 December, there were more than 150 interactions with people on a night out – many were given free personal attack alarms, and anti-spiking kits.

Two men were identified as potential offenders, one had to be physically restrained and arrested for being drunk and disorderly while the other was found to be wanted on warrant and arrested.

Two dispersal notices were issued, and one driver was handed a traffic report notice for using a mobile phone while driving.

Sergeant Lee Baker of the Local Policing Priorities Team South said: “Experience tells us which nights are likely to be the busiest over the festive period and we will have extra officers on duty to help keep people safe.

“Most people go out, have a few drinks, and enjoy themselves without causing any trouble. It is the minority who cause trouble and our message to these people is ‘we are looking out for you, and we will take action’.

“Last weekend we had whole-hearted positive feedback from the message given that we were there to make people feel safer.

“Unfortunately, there was some rather disturbing behaviour by two individuals including one man who was arrested after committing an assault and another who was charged with a public order offence.

“However, if it was thanks to the tactics deployed - which we will continue to use over the coming days and weeks - that these actions were spotted and acted upon swiftly by our officers to keep the public safe.”

The tactic, funded for by the Safer Streets 5 initiative granted to West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, has been shown to reduce violence against women and girls and aims to create a safer nighttime economy for all.

Last week also saw the launch of the annual Operation Christmas Presence, which sees extra officers on duty to help keep people safe on some of the busiest nights of the year in town and city centres across West Mercia Police’s force area.