Extra Police Patrols To Tackle Antisocial Behaviour On The Yorkshire Coast Over May Bank Holidays

North Yorkshire Police are reallocating officers to conduct high-visibility patrols in coastal towns like Scarborough and Whitby over the May bank holiday weekends to combat a recent rise in antisocial behaviour.

North Yorkshire Police are preparing to boost their presence across the Yorkshire Coast over the upcoming May bank holiday weekends in a bid to clamp down on antisocial behaviour.

The force is reallocating officers from other duties to conduct high-visibility foot patrols in bustling coastal towns such as Scarborough and Whitby. This proactive measure is designed to manage the anticipated influx of visitors and the subsequent surge in nightlife activity that traditionally accompanies warmer weather and extended weekends.

Recent data released by the police highlights the necessity of these extra patrols. While the wider county has experienced a general decrease in these types of offences, the coast command has recorded a notable six and a half per cent rise in antisocial behaviour. According to police figures, these incidents typically follow a predictable seasonal pattern. Demand for policing remains relatively low during the winter months before steadily climbing to a significant peak in July, eventually following a downward trajectory back towards the Christmas period.

To tackle this seasonal spike head-on, the force has implemented a strategy known as Operation Eventide. The initiative is specifically tailored to address the challenges posed by the nighttime economy during the busiest times of the year, ensuring that resources are directed exactly where they are needed most.

Assistant Chief Constable Ben Moseley outlined the reasoning behind the force-wide strategy:

"In terms of antisocial behaviour associated with the nighttime economy, we see increased demand across our business districts and our nighttime economy areas, for example in York city centre, Harrogate, Scarborough, and there's some seasonality to that.

Recognising that theme, there's a forcewide approach we take called Operation Eventide, which means throughout our classically busy times, particularly in the warmer months, very often where the weekend is abutted by a bank holiday, we have particular high visibility plans where officers from other roles will undertake high visibility foot patrol activity in some of those town centres."

The localised spike in coastal communities has prompted neighbourhood policing teams to develop targeted problem-solving plans. In Scarborough, officers have identified two specific areas of concern that require immediate attention: the Alma Square vicinity and the main town centre business district. The strategies deployed in these hotspots are built around the force's established 'four Ps' approach, which focuses heavily on the preparation and prevention of crime, the ongoing protection of local residents, and the active pursuit of the perpetrators responsible for the disruption.

By putting more bobbies on the beat and utilising these structured plans, the police aim to provide immediate reassurance to the public while swiftly dealing with any emerging issues.

Assistant Chief Constable Moseley emphasised that maintaining order during these peak periods is a top priority for the organisation:

"throughout our classically busy times associated with the nighttime economy particularly in the warmer months, very often where the weekend is abutted by a bank holiday, we have particular high visibility plans across the organisation where officers will from other roles undertake high visibility foot patrol activity in some of those town centres and addressing and very promptly tackling antisocial behaviour and criminality is an absolute priority. so there's very localised responses in coast command with these problem solving plans."

Although the overall volumes of antisocial behaviour across the entire policing area for 2025 showed a slight increase of just over one per cent compared to 2024, the figure remains fourteen per cent lower than the year prior to that. Officers note that while the long-term trajectory for the region as a whole remains downward, there has been a short-term stabilisation of demand that requires careful management.

With the May bank holidays fast approaching, residents and businesses along the Yorkshire Coast can expect to see a much more prominent police presence on their streets. Officers remain confident that their well-rehearsed strategies will effectively address the particular cases causing the uptick in coastal antisocial behaviour, ensuring the extended weekends remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.

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