The idea behind Ironmill is that high-visibility patrols serve as a warning to potential criminals in the town, and plain clothes officers are also on hand to catch criminals in the act.
Operation Ironmill, which will run until January 5, is now in its third year after previous yearÕs efforts proved highly successful.
In its first week last year, the initiative turned up seven arrests, one for possession of drugs, one for criminal damage and the rest for shoplifting offences. Fifteen arrests in all were made during last yearÕs Ironmill programme.
Sergeant Helen Smith, co-ordinator of Operation Ironmill, said: ÒWe get lots of positive feedback about the scheme. Members of the public constantly come up to us and saying how nice it is to see us out on patrol. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police as a whole are making a big effort to reduce fear of crime, and Ironmill goes a long way towards this.
ÒA major problem in a town like Alton at this time of year, is that because we have no CCTV coverage in the town, criminals travel from bigger towns that do have CCTV, to take advantage of it.
ÒOne such offender last year was caught trying to steal £300 worth of alcohol from Sainsburys, but he was arrested and charged.
ÒWe spotted a number of known travelling criminals in the town last year, who made a sharp exit after we have told them what is going on.
ÒThe scheme is run in conjunction with Shopwatch, and local retailers are always very supportive of the scheme, as it makes them feel safer.
ÒWith all the public interaction involved, the street patrols are very enjoyable to do. The scheme was very successful last year, and we hope that this success will be repeated.Ó