"WE WILL be in the faces of individuals who want to make other people's lives a misery."

Those are the words of Southampton's new chief inspector, who says he has a zero-tolerance policy for violent criminals.

Marcus Kennedy took over the role around three months ago having spent time as an inspector in Portsmouth.

He has vowed to tackle violent crime and antisocial behaviour head-on in a bid to support victims and communities plagued by crime.

He told the Daily Echo: "Since I arrived about three months ago there are clearly some challenges around violent crime in the city - youth violent crime, and violence against women and girls, and also antisocial behaviour.

"Our priorities are to reduce violent crime, to target those predatory individuals around violence against women and girls, and to address those antisocial behaviour issues.

"If I am being very honest with you, I will not be apologetic about being really proactive and aggressive with individuals around violent crime and those perpetrators of violence against women and girls.

"I have already directed my teams that they will be proactive and they will get out there and be in the faces of those individuals who want to make other people's lives a misery.

"I've got zero tolerance for that and that's going to be my strategy in the city - very proactive and aggressive."

Ch Insp Kennedy's role involves managing the four neighbourhood policing teams across the city including five inspectors and around 120 police constables and PCSOs.

His role sees him assessing the crimes across the city on a daily basis and to "risk assess" where it is best to put resources for that day.

"My role is to have a look every day and see what crimes are affecting the district of Southampton," he explained.

"I have to try and focus those local officers towards what's really important."

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