MORE police both on foot patrol and in cars will be on Andover's streets during the run-up to Christmas in a two-pronged attack on theft and violence.

"We want to make sure people enjoy Christmas and that it is not spoilt by the minority," said Detective Sergeant Paul Taylor.

Ironically the Christmas crime crackdown has been made possible by the failure of Hampshire Constabulary to recruit as many officers as they have been allocated. It means there is money left in the staffing budget.

The money will now be used to fund overtime payments for officers who have volunteered to do extra Christmas duties. People will see extra officers during the daytime when the aim will be to combat thefts from shops and shoppers.

Officers on patrol in the town centre during the evenings will focus on deterring and dealing with alcohol-related crime, in particular disorder and violence.

The crackdown has been sanctioned by the Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan.

But the initiative does not mean Andover is a particularly violent or crime-ridden town.

"There is a perception that Andover is a particularly violent town but that view is not supported by the crime figures," said Det Sgt Paul Taylor. "It has no more of a problem than any other town in the country and a lot less than many."

It's a view echoed by Chief Inspector Frank Connor. He said: "Andover is a nice place to live and has a lower ratio of crime and disorder than anywhere across the county. Only a minority of people spoil it for the majority. This initiative is designed to police that minority."