SPECIAL patrols aimed at stamping out antisocial behaviour in Hampshire have been launched.

The high-visibility patrols will take to the streets seven days a week during afternoons and evenings when the majority of antisocial and nuisance behaviour is reported.

Hampshire police have launched the patrols as part of the county-wide Safer Streets initiative aimed at improving community safety.

Leading the patrols, Superintendent Terry Stevens said: "We recognise that antisocial behaviour is a strong influence over people's fear of crime and we are dedicating our resources to addressing that.

"These patrols are designed to provide public reassurance, and to intervene and disrupt those who are bent on ruining the quality of life for people in our community through their persistent antisocial and nuisance behaviour."

Along with arresting those found to be causing a nuisance, police also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices and send out juvenile nuisance letters direct to parents.

During the first weeks of Safer Streets, Southampton police will also be conducting a drug detection operation. By scanning the hands of club and pub-goers with hi-tech equipment, police can tell whether they have recently handled illegal substances.

As part of the launch Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan will be touring the Rowner area of Gosport accompanied by community workers and schoolchildren.

Police officers will also be briefed on future partnership policing operations with military and naval police that will include patrols of the Rowner estate during the afternoon and early evening.

Police in central Hampshire will also mark the Safer Streets scheme with the launch of a Pub Watch scheme in Romsey, a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Winchester and the regular patrolling of the city's streets using sniffer dogs to root out drug dealers and users.

Mr Kernaghan said: "Violent crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has risen over the past 12 months, due in large part to the government changing the way in which we record offences. But the streets of the two counties are still among the safest in the country. Through the Safer Streets campaign, we aim to not only keep them that way, but to make them even safer."