The operation is backed by £2m of funding from government

The operation is backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden and £2m of extra funding secured from the government’s new Anti-social Behaviour Action Plan.

The first six hotspots seeing additional dedicated patrols starting this week are areas within Preston, Chorley, Blackpool, Fleetwood, Padiham and Accrington with another eight hotspot areas due to be announced soon.

Operation Centurion will see extra police patrols in ASB hotspots across the county and tough action being taken against offenders by police and partner agencies who will use the full force of the law – as well as civil powers – to protect local communities.

The operation will deliver on PCC Snowden’s Police and Crime Plan priority of getting tough on ASB. It will be led by a new crime fighting team called the ASB Prevention and Problem-Solving Command; a team of specialist officers including civil enforcement, designing-out crime and business and rural crime experts.

The team will work with police officers, councils, housing associations and key partners throughout Lancashire to shut down drug dens, seize nuisance bikes and secure arrests for those involved in a variety of offences from drug dealing to criminal damage.

As part of the operation, the public will also be encouraged to report incidents of ASB to the relevant organisation, details of which can be found on a new website: LancashireTacklingASB.co.uk.

Mr Snowden said: “I made getting tough on ASB a top priority in my Fighting Crime Plan and Op Centurion will see increased, visible police patrols, dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour and the issues that matter most to people.

“This campaign follows an independent survey I commissioned to give an insight as to the scale and types of anti-social behaviour in our communities, which we know are underreported. Together with the three ASB summits I hosted with partners earlier this year, I'm pleased to see this feedback informing the work of the new ASB problem solving command, funded through my Office.

“Anti-social behaviour isn’t an issue that can be solved by policing alone and through Op Centurion, we will ensure a joint up response where all agencies play their part.

“Utilising money from government, and money seized from criminals through my Safer Lancashire Neighbourhoods Fund, I will continue to work with the police and our partners to deal with root causes to reduce the impact ASB has on people across the county and ensure they, rightly, feel safe wherever they are.

“It is vital for community confidence that these crimes will be quickly and visibly addressed. I want residents to see that I am listening and that I am taking action to address their concerns and Op Centurion demonstrates my commitment to delivering on my Fighting Crime Plan priority of getting tough on anti-social behaviour."

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Procter said: “ASB is unacceptable - everyone has the right to feel safe in their home and community.

“Incidents like criminal damage, intimidating and aggressive behaviour and drug dealing blight communities and it is vital that the Police and our partner agencies use every tool at our disposal to reduce them.

“The launch of our new ASB Command team and Operation Centurion signifies our unwavering commitment to addressing ASB and taking decisive action against those engaging in this type of behaviour.

“Our communities have told us that ASB is a priority, so we are taking tough action to address it. We recognise the profound impact it has on communities, and we want to send a clear message that we will not tolerate this behaviour.”