Chester city centre will see an increased police presence this summer in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Over 500 town centres have signed up to the Home Secretary's safer streets 'summer blitz' scheme.

Local action plans have been developed with police, businesses and local councils to crackdown on crime over the summer months, by ensuring visible and meaningful consequences for those responsible.

Plans include increased visible high street policing and ramping up the use of targeted enforcement powers against troublemakers – including banning perpetrators from hotspots.  

Alongside increased police patrols, there will be stronger enforcement action by the council and police in the city centre until 30 September.

Over 500 town centres have signed up to the 'safer streets summer blitz' scheme (Image via: Cheshire Constabulary)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:  "High streets and town centres are the very heart of our communities.

"Residents and businesses have the right to feel safe in their towns, but the last government left a surge in shop theft, street crime and anti-social behaviour which has left too many town centres feeling abandoned. 

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"It's time to turn this round. That's why I have called on police forces and councils alike to work together to deliver a summer blitz on town centre crime, to send a clear message to those people who bring misery to our towns that their crimes will no longer go unpunished. 

"The fact that 500 towns have signed up shows the strength of feeling on this issue. 

"Through our Safer Streets Mission and Plan for Change, we are putting officers back on the beat where you can see them and making our town centres safe again."

Young people will also be supported, with activities across the 500 towns to take part in.

Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Emily Spurrell, said: "Tackling retail crime and ASB is essential to allowing our town centres to flourish.

"People have a right to feel safe and shop workers shouldn't have to defend their stores against regular and organised theft, putting themselves at risk of violence.  

"We are determined to deliver real and demonstrable change so that communities and town centres can thrive and prosper."