Police and council officials have revealed new measures being used to tackle anti-social behaviour in Marlow after a 71 per cent increase in incidents since April.

Around 100 residents attended a public meeting at Liston Court in the evening of August 6, where Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Council, Red Kite Community Housing and Paradigm Housing faced questions over crime and disorder affecting the eastern side of the town.

A presentation shown during the meeting revealed that youth-related anti-social behaviour has been responsible for much of the increase, with Donkey Field recording 25 reported incidents and Wallace Close/Eliot Drive recording 16 incidents.

A heatmap showing the crime in Marlow (Image: NQ)

Police Inspector Harry Gehnich told residents officers were using a range of anti-social behaviour powers before pursuing criminal sanctions.

He said: "Criminalising young people is not the correct approach. That's a last resort from the police.

"We take a holistic view on young people, and I think that is absolutely the right approach.

"What we have are different anti-social behaviour powers.

“I describe it as walking up the stairs in your home.

“At each level there is a different power, and if one isn't successful we move to the next."

Inspector Gehnich said five Acceptable Behaviour Contracts have already been issued to young people in Marlow.

He added: "They set very simple expectations, perhaps not going to certain locations or engaging in certain behaviour.

"We do that in collaboration with parents, because that's an important approach.

"Early signs are that they have been quite effective."

The meeting took place on August 6 (Image: Maps)

Police have also issued Community Protection Warnings and are continuing work towards stronger measures where necessary.

Discussing closure orders for problematic properties, Inspector Gehnich said community intelligence would be vital.

He said: "We really rely on you as a community to tell us about these issues.

"If we believe an address is a root cause of some of the problems, we need evidence of the impact on residents before we can go to a magistrate and seek a closure order.

"There are lots of different ways to report anti-social behaviour through the police, the council and housing providers. As a partnership, we just want to keep hearing from you."

Some of the issues have taken place on the east side of Marlow. Mainly on Wiltshire Road, Gunthorpe Road and Donkey FieldSome of the issues have taken place on the east side of Marlow. Mainly on Wiltshire Road, Gunthorpe Road and Donkey Field (Image: Maps)

Buckinghamshire Council representatives also announced plans for environmental audits in hotspot locations.

The visits will involve council officers, housing providers, police and local councillors examining issues such as lighting, street cleanliness and environmental factors that may contribute to crime.

Officials said the work forms part of a longer-term strategy to tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour across affected neighbourhoods.