ANTI-social behaviour has increased by 30 per cent in the town centre but police say they are committed to tackling the issue.

In the last three months there has been a peak in low-level crime, which includes drunk and disorderly and scuffles, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

General manager at the Savoy on Regent Street, Liam Stack, said there are a range of issues which have been causing this spike in offences but one prevalent factor has been more people visiting the town centre.

“In the lead up to the holiday season there are always more people coming out,” said Liam, who is also a member of Swindon’s Pubwatch.

“As a group we do a lot to combat anti-social behaviour. We liaise with police to find out what is happening and what we can do to help. “There is a variety of issues surrounding anti-social behaviour but we are always happy to sit down with police and see what can be done.”

He said that not all anti-social behaviour takes place during the night with a number of offences happening during the day as well.

Town Centre Community Beat Manager PC Claire Davidson said: “Our team is committed to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.

“We are committed to tackling those persistent offenders who commit crime and impact our community and this is one approach that will be utilised as we lead up to the busy festive period.”

Last month, officers took to the streets in plain clothing to clamp down on anti-social behaviour. Police from the Central Neighbourhood Team and the Neighbourhood Tasking Team conducted the operation across Swindon town centre.

As a result of the operation one man was arrested for theft by finding when he took advantage of a shopper who briefly left a shopping bag unattended and an arrest of a man for breaching his Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Two men were also dealt with having been found in possession of herbal cannabis.

In July, Ryan Anthony Hynes was banned from all pubs and clubs in Swindon town centre for his history of drunk and disorderly behaviour on nights out.

The team has been keeping a close eye on anti-social behaviour by working with shopping centre management in their CCTV command centres, store security staff and Street Team.

For more details on your police team or to report a crime, contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 (anonymously).