Dyfed-Powys Police is gearing up for summer and safeguarding the communities it serves in Tenby.

The Neighbourhood Policing Team in the town will be receiving extra police officers for the summer period. Four officers have already been temporarily posted to the station until September, while another six extra officers will also be on patrol during the evenings on each of the school holiday weekends.

All Police officers, PCSOs and Specials will be conducting extra patrols at key locations during peak times. This will include the surrounding towns, villages and main train stations. Officers will also be making use of dispersal powers available to them (known as section 27 notices). When served, these notices give police powers to direct a person to leave a specified area or face arrest.

Police and licensing will be conducting joint visits over the coming weeks to licensed premises to remind licensees of their responsibilities regarding underage drinking, serving individuals who are banned or have behaved badly elsewhere. There is also a need to consider the potential for anti-social behaviour including noise, which may be caused by patrons leaving premises late at night.

Inspector Ross Evans said: "The summer season is vital for our local economy and many businesses are reliant upon the extra trade which we can expect over the coming weeks. However, residents and visitors have the right to feel safe and anyone found to be behaving in an anti-social or criminal manner will be dealt with.

"We have worked very hard with our partners in reducing crime with great success over the past few years. I am confident that the additional officers that we have secured will prove to be very useful additions to the team. I am also very aware of how supportive the local community are of their police and I ask for their continued support and assistance during this busy period and beyond. As ever, we will be assisted by Pembrokeshire County Council, emergency service colleagues and our local BOBB scheme."

Nigel Hayes, licensing officer at Dyfed-Powys Police, said: "The police and its partner agencies, in particular the licensing authority, has worked extremely hard over the past few years to successfully reduce the level of violent and anti-social incidents associated with licensed premises that have occurred around the county. This success means that the county towns are pleasant and safe to visit.

"However, there are still some who go out at night with the intention of or by the mere fact they have become intoxicated to be anti-social and to cause a nuisance to others who are out to enjoy themselves. It is therefore incumbent upon the licensed premises to continue to manage their environment and to ensure responsible drinking occurring on their premises. They should also ensure that underage drinking is not taking place and one simple method to be adopted in this regard is to accept only authenticated identification and to challenge the age of a person before alcohol is sold.

"Advice is quite clear and only photographic identification is acceptable such as a passport or driving licence. The National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is also something that we are keen to promote better use of within Pembrokeshire."

This is a national scheme that is endorsed by the Home Office. Benefits include that you carry one card and it is accepted without the use of more valuable documents such as a passport. Further details can be found on the PASS web site at http://www.pass-scheme.org.uk">www.pass-scheme.org.uk

Nigel added: "The message is quite clear, go out and enjoy yourselves, but behave and go home safely. Be responsible about the level of alcohol you consume and think about the impact you can have on others."