Portsmouth South’s Stephen Morgan MP has welcomed the launch of a dedicated policing response to keep communities safe along Southsea seafront and neighbouring areas in Portsmouth this summer.
‘Operation Nautical’ will see officers working alongside a number of other agencies across the city and increasing patrols in areas where there is the potential for higher rates of anti-social behaviour as the weather gets warmer and government restrictions begin to ease.
Welcoming the initiative ahead of warmer weather, Stephen Morgan MP said:
“I know from my postbag the impact anti-social behaviour has on the lives of constituents and I am pleased the police and partners are listening to concerns I have raised on the need for a proactive, joined-up response.
In liaison with the District Commander, and other agencies, I am pleased this initiative is being launched now to help prevent the problems we have seen year on year at the Hotwalls, Southsea Commons and at other locations in our city’s green and open spaces.
I will be following this initiative closely and will continue to call on the police and council to do all they can to make sure our communities stay safe this summer”.
Police in Portsmouth will work alongside Hampshire’s Marine Unit, Motiv8, Active Communities Network, Portsmouth City Council wardens, Ministry of Defence police, Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service, street pastors in the city, local councillors, businesses and our local residents on a joined up response to a safe return to socialising outdoors.
Operation Nautical will cover the seafront from Old Portsmouth to Eastney, as well as parks within the city and Southsea Common. Neighbourhood policing teams will be upping patrols in these areas, engaging with members of the public to ensure everyone is staying safe over the summer period.
This weekend the Portsmouth South MP will be going out on patrol with Street Pastors as the new Operation comes into force to see how the initiative is working on the ground.
Portsmouth South Inspector, Louise Tester, added:
“With the weather warming up and the government’s current road map out of lockdown allowing for increased outdoor interaction, we know we will see higher footfall in our popular outdoor spaces, including Southsea seafront and the common.
“We want our communities to feel safe as they begin to venture out more often and we are pleased that Operation Nautical will help to give people that reassurance.
“We will have dedicated resources patrolling these summer hot spots each day, offering reassurance to our communities and deterring anti-social behaviour.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve all been able to meet with small groups of friends and family outdoors, and this will no doubt provide a welcome boost to many of us after what has been a very long and difficult winter.
“While we want people to enjoy being able to gather with friends and family again, we ask them to do it safely while abiding by the regulations and remembering the rule of six or the two household rule when meeting outdoors.
“Our officers will continue to engage, explain and encourage in the first instance, however enforcement action will be taken for blatant or repeated regulation breaches.”
“We urge the public to stay safe and continue treating each other with respect and patience as we move through the roadmap as laid out by the government.”
If you have any concerns regarding any crime in these areas over the summer, do speak to one of the patrolling officers or call 101.
