Great Yarmouth Borough Council has officially launched a new taskforce in an attempt to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, nuisance properties and untidy streets in the town centre.

Three more police officers, four new council enforcement officers and three additional street cleaners are now patrolling the streets of the town centre.

The new taskforce officially launched in Great Yarmouth Market Place. (Image: Nelson Walker)

Carl Smith, council leader, said yesterday: "I am really pleased I am launching this today. The big thing was seeing more people and police officers present in the town centre.

"There are now three dedicated police officers in the town centre and hopefully people will notice a difference.

"We have been wanting to do this for a long time."

The new taskforce officially launched in Great Yarmouth Market Place. (Image: Nelson Walker)

It comes after the borough council secured government funding via the Pride in Place programme for the initiative, which will see £20m of investment made in the borough over the next decade.

Councillors, police officers, enforcement officers and street cleaners were among those who gathered in Great Yarmouth Market Place for the launch.

Paul Wells, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, licensing and waste at the council, said: "This is about building incremental improvements.

Paul Wells, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, licensing and waste at GYBC. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

"I think this will have a significant boost. We will have more people out cleaning the streets and enforcement officers will tackle people with anti-social behaviour.

"We get millions of visitors a year and it is important we provide an environment that is good for people to live, visit and work in.

"So many people come through, in and out, and it will have an impact on the entire borough. Hopefully it will drive up standards everywhere."

After the launch in the piazza, police officers then began their patrols, walking up King Street and speaking to people about their new initiative.

Police offer and enforcement officer go on patrol down King Street in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Nelson Walker)

Police officers and enforcement officers speaking to people in King Street. (Image: Nelson Walker)

The three new police officers will be entirely focused on combatting anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

PC Harry Young, one of the new officers, said: "It will revive Yarmouth a bit.

"There will be a visible presence to deter crime and it will have a massive impact because we can't get distracted on other things.

"We can't be taken off elsewhere."

The new trio will work to supplement the beat team already operating in the town.

Police officers speaking to people in King Street. (Image: Nelson Walker)

PC Andy Tomlinson, neighbourhood policing inspector, said: "Everything is in place from here on.

"You have got the visible police and the anti-social behaviour goes hand in hand with that.

"The presence of police officers will have this uplift as well."

Police officer and enforcement officer on patrol in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Nelson Walker)

In addition to tackling anti-social behaviour, the new teams will help deal with waste management, the street scene and poorly managed or empty properties.

Jonathan Newman, town centre manager for the Great Yarmouth Town Centre Partnership, said: "The town centre is kept fairly clean in any case and I think it is a response to fly-tipping and extra litter.

Street cleaner picking up litter in Great Yarmouth Market Place. (Image: Nelson Walker)

"Anti-social behaviour and street drinking does bring with it human waste.

"With the additional resource and new machinery it will be even better."

WHAT PEOPLE IN THE TOWN THINK

Douglas Barr, 76 and a retired police constable, said: "It is about time.

"From my wife's point of view she gets intimidated by people that congregate. Older people do feel intimidated.

"A police officer in uniform will get more respect than any community officer. Any one step is a good step forward."

A female retailer, 59 and who did not want to be named, said: "I won't come into town by myself and I just avoid Yarmouth town centre now.

"I want to feel safe coming in and I am anxious when I come in, especially in the evenings.

"I take the long way around and you shouldn't need to do that."

Christine Daynes, 73 and a retired retail worker who lives in Norwich, said: "I think it is a good thing if they keep it up.

"When you see the town before it puts you off.

"I think that is a good idea to have all over the country."

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