Police hail yob crackdown a success

Town centre officers found copies of the new Harry Potter film and other blockbusters in the haul after stopping a man who had set up shop from a canvas bag in the middle of Montague Street last week.

Operation Victory was designed to crack down on anti-social behaviour in the town. More than 14 arrests were made for offences which ranged from public order offences, possession of drugs and shoplifting to possession of a bladed article.

Town centre sergeant Pete Darkin said: "It was a very successful week and I am very pleased with the way things went.

"The pirate DVD trader was out of business only 10 minutes after setting up."

Operation Victory, was launched on June 1 and ran for six days, as police officers, both highly visible and plainclothed, worked together with Worthing Borough Council, Shopwatch and Pubwatch to curb theft, shoplifting, drinking, and other anti social behaviour.

Officers also enforced the street drinking legislation, confiscated alcohol being drunk publically, and gave a licensee a written warning for offering alcohol to an underage drinker.

In addition, police sent several antisocial behaviour letters to peoples' homes, warning them against further incidents.

Sgt Pete Darkin, said: "We want to send a clear message to the small number of people who can make life unpleasant in the town centre, that there are a number of options we can use to deal with them effectively. Operation Victory was one of the most successful operations the town centre team has run, and we will be running again in the future."