Residents have welcomed a “significant” boost to weekend police patrols in Abingdon and Wantage to help curb late-night violence and anti-social behaviour.

New Vale police commander Andy Boyd said it was not a temporary measure and more officers would be patrolling the town centres into the early hours for the forseeable future.

He said: “We have significantly increased patrols in Abingdon and Wantage town centres. This is about reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour and late-night violence.

“What we want to do is to make both town centres as pleasant an environment for people to visit and a place where people can come and feel relaxed without feeling intimidated or threatened.

“I want to emphasise that both town centres are safe places to go.

“There are very minor problems. However, we just need to make people realise this is about reassurance and making people feel safe and comfortable on a Friday and Saturday night.

Patrols will be a mixture of police officers and police community support officers, who will be on the streets up to 4am.

He said: “They will be on foot patrols in the two town centres ensuring those who wish to have an enjoyable evening in the town centre are able to do so and those who wish to behave in a disturbing manner are dealt with.”

He said a small increase in the number of assaults in Abingdon, which rose by two per cent compared to last year, was one factor in the decision.

The extra patrols will not cost the tax payer extra money, but beats have been rescheduled.

Sarah Hill, 22, who works at the Boundary House pub, in Oxford Road, Abingdon, said: “It certainly wouldn’t be a bad idea with all the trouble that happens around here.”

Raymond Eagleton, 64, of Darrell Way, said: “I think that would be a good idea because we do get them hanging around near to where I am. We already have quite a good police presence but the more the merrier.”

Elizabeth Galbraith, 76, of Fullwell Close, said: “I think it’s a very good idea as this is what happened in the past. Police went on patrol, and there was no trouble. Going back to the good old fashioned bobbies, I wish they would do that more.”

Lendon Scantlebury, 48, of Barwell, Wantage, said: “It’s a fantastic idea because there is not much of a police presence in Wantage. For the last year or so there has been a lot of noise and discomfort after closing time in some pubs, so I think it would help.”