POLICE in Royston will be increasing efforts to curb anti-social behaviour. The promise came from Sgt Clive Reader when speaking to members of North Herts District Council s Royston area committee. He said police recognised that there was a growing proble

POLICE in Royston will be increasing efforts to curb anti-social behaviour.

The promise came from Sgt Clive Reader when speaking to members of North Herts District Council's Royston area committee.

He said police recognised that there was a growing problem over anti-social behaviour.

"This has become one of our priorities as it does seem to be spreading," he said.

He said the problem had been recognised, too, at a recent neighbourhood panel meeting.

Sgt Reader will be taking on a role which in part will be dealing with anti-social behaviour and licensing concerns.

He said the main cause of the problem seemed to come from young people and alcohol.

Sgt Reader said the question of solving the anti-social behaviour problems is where the efforts of police are going to be directed.

He said crime in Royston and the surrounding area from April 1 to June 9 saw 222 reported incidents.

There had been a slight drop in burglary and violent crime although an increase to 67 incidents of criminal damage.

But Sgt Reader said he believed there was "a degree of under-reporting" on criminal damage crimes.

Theft of motor vehicles and theft from motor vehicles had also dropped over the period compared with last year.

"The figures underline that crime in the area is not high," he said.

Speaking about closed-circuit television, he said that there were now six mobile camera in North Herts, of which two were in Royston.

He said police do not have "the last word" on the use of a mobile camera, but can make representations to have one at a specific location.

The question was raised because the committee purchased a mobile camera last year which was specifically for the use in Royston.