Match day tactics for revellers

Tactics similar to those used at football matches have been adopted by police in Stourbridge to help stop violent crime in the town centre.

Stourbridge has become one of the most popular nightspots in the area with around 2,000 revellers visiting the clubs and bars on weekend nights since a string of new venues opened in the town centre.

A time policing system has been brought in called Flent Two which deploys officers in phases around the town centre in six zones which have been drawn up.

The operation is carried out in the way officers would treat a football match with officers working on a pre, during and post event strategy.

Stourbridge Inspector Phil Boardman said the new timed approach meant officers were positioned where needed and claimed it had helped prevent a rise in violent crime since last year - even though visitor numbers have soared.

He said: "There are between six and 12 officers on duty but they work in phases which is like a before, during and after strategy like you have at a football match."