Crime In Leamington Town Centre has greatly reduced following the implementation of the dispersal zone last June.

Over the last twelve months there has been a 36 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour, a 35 per cent reduction in criminal damage and a 7 per cent reduction in crime and disorder.

The main type of anti-social behaviour was rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour - 214 incidents - which accounted for 43 per cent of the total. There were 73 incidents of environmental damage and littering equating to 15 per cent of the total. There were 59 incidents of street drinking (12 per cent of the total) and 34 noise incidents - 7 per cent of the total.

Of crime and disorder, the most common crime during the 12 months was theft - 17 per cent of the total, violence equated to 14 per cent and criminal damage 8 per cent.

This recent analysis follows previous good results issued towards the end of last year - an 11.5 per cent reduction in violence and disorder in Leamington town centre (counting period July - October 2006) and a 42.5 per cent reduction in violence and disorder at two historical hot spots in the town.

Following the reduction in crime, an extension of the dispersal order has been agreed by Warwick District Council and authorised by Supt Andy Johnson. The order will run for six months from May 9 to October 9 2007.

Speaking about the figures, Sgt Paul Calver who leads the Leamington Central SNT said: "Tackling drink related violence and disorder remains a high priority in South Warwickshire. My team has worked hard to achieve these very good results and has had excellent support from Warwick District Council, the licensees and other businesses in the town."

He also said: "The dispersal order is a very helpful tool that we have regularly utilised over the past year and which we exercised last weekend. Unfortunately a 21 year old Leamington man who was misbehaving last Friday night, was told to leave but refused. He was arrested, interviewed and has been charged with refusing to leave an area on the direction of a police constable."

Quote from Pete Cutts, Community Safety Manager, Warwick District Council: "I believe this is a real endorsement of the decision taken by Police and elected members from the three tiers of local government to maintain a specific team for the area of the Licensing Saturation Zones in Leamington town centre. The Leamington Central Safer Neighbourhood team led by Sgt Paul Calver deserves our praise, but thanks should also go to our partners in the business community and our CCTV team in particular."