Police officers were out in force across Basingstoke last week to counter the threat of civil disorder and rioting.
A Winchester Road car park was closed for an hour while a gang of youths were dispersed, while high visibility patrols were sent to retail parks around the town. Regular officers plus PCSOs and special constables were also present in large numbers in the town centre.
Several pubs in the town also decided to close early on the night after advice from the police. Hampshire officers joined staff from other police forces in helping swell numbers of uniformed police on London's streets during the worst of the rioting.
Officers said they were working around the clock to quell potential for copycat incidents occurring in the county, with intelligence teams dedicated to monitoring social media to detect early signs of people trying to generate violence.
Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Manners, commander for the policing response to any potential disorder for the constabulary, said: “Across the county, we deal with this type of incident week in, week out. But this kind of antisocial behaviour is never welcome in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, and for youths – many of whom appear to be barely teenagers – to use the civil unrest in London and other parts of the country as an excuse to behave this way is totally unacceptable.
“Our message to young people who think that it is harmless fun to copy what they’re seeing on the television and throw stones at cars and police officers or cause damage is that it won’t be tolerated. We have an active police presence in our communities, with increased numbers of officers on the streets across the two counties, you will be arrested and subject to criminal prosecution.
“We urge parents who know their youngsters may be disappearing out in the evenings and you may suspect are getting involved in this sort of antisocial behaviour – speak to your children. Find out where they are going, if appropriate, keep them in."
