INCIDENTS of criminal damage in Gorlston have been slashed in the last three months. It follows a crackdown on yobbish behaviour by officers of Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team - particularly in hotspot areas around Bells Marsh Road.

INCIDENTS of criminal damage in Gorlston have been slashed in the last three months.

It follows a crackdown on yobbish behaviour by officers of Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team - particularly in hotspot areas around Bells Marsh Road.

Forty-two incidents were reported in April, and that dropped to 27 in May. Last month there were just 16 incidents reported to police.

The crackdown was a result of the team's KIN (Key Individual Network) meeting back in April where members of the public raised the issue as one of the three priorities they wanted police to focus on.

At the team's latest meeting last week it was reported incidents in the area had dropped significantly following an increase in patrols by uniformed and plain clothed officers as well as working with council estate managers.

Police made several arrests over incidents where cars had been damaged - including one where officers tracked the offender by matching his DNA to the scene.

Other priorities for the last three months included parking on the High Street and the majority of people attending the meeting agreed the situation had improved since April. The team held two action days in the High Street and dished out 40 tickets to rogue parkers and police will continue holding action days in the High Street in order to improve parking.

Anti-social behaviour in Trafalgar Road West has also been reduced as a result of increased patrols - with several youths being taken home to their parents.

Priorities for the team over the next three months are speeding in and around Lowestoft Road; anti-social behaviour on the seafront, including underage drinking and youths jumping off the pier; and police will continue with their efforts combating anti-social behaviour in Pier Plain and Bells Marsh Road areas.

The meeting was chaired by Naomi Richards who said judging by the recent results the KIN meetings appeared to be having a positive effect.

She added: “Community support officers are a god send. They are the link between communities and police.”

Insp Paul McCarthy said KIN meetings provided an ideal opportunity for the community to tell police what issues were important to them which impacted on local policing.