Here's why there are so many police officers in Leicester city centre today

You can expect to see a lot of police officers in and around Leicester city centre today and tonight, but Leicestershire Police have advised the public no to be alarmed by the larger-than-usual police presence.

The increased visibility of the police today is part of another crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the city centre, particularly around the Clock Tower and surrounding areas.

Leicestershire Police have stationed extra officers, special constables and PCSOs around the city centre from 8am this morning (Friday 15 November) until 5am tomorrow morning.

Throughout the year the police have been leading crackdowns on anti-social behaviour following a spike in complaints from the public about aggressive begging and threatening behaviour.

During a two-month operation over the summer, Leicestershire Police banned 36 people from entering the city centre and confiscated 176 alcoholic drinks from public drinkers, as well as carrying out numerous stop-searches.

The exact numbers of how many extra police officers will be in the city centre today and tonight have not been released, but Inspector Adam Archer – the neighbourhood inspector for Leicester city centre, said people can expect to see a lot more police that usual. He said:

“You will notice an increased footprint of police activity in Leicester city centre today. There will be more police officers, there will be more PCSOs, there will be more police volunteers than you would otherwise see.

“I think it’s really important to say that we’re not responding to any kind of dynamically unfolding set of circumstances, intelligence or any kind of incident.

“We are there very much on the front foot to be proactive and make sure that Leicester city centre is a safe place for people to live, for people to work and, of course, for people to come and visit.

“You’ll notice that we are at the Clock Tower from 8am this morning until 5am tomorrow morning.”

As the city centre gears up for the busy festive shopping season, it seems Leicestershire Police are keen to do as much as possible to make visiting the city centre as safe and enjoyable as possible.

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