The first Balclutha community patrols have started but police say it is too early to say how effective they are.
About 14 people have signed up to become extra "eyes and ears" for police by staging regular patrols around the town streets at night.
The Balclutha community police liaison officer, Constable Tom Taylor, said four separate patrols had already been out on the streets in recent weeks.
"It's a bit hard to gauge how well it's going just yet but it is good to see them out there," he said yesterday.
The patrol was formed after growing concerns about antisocial behaviour in central Balclutha, especially around the Balclutha War Memorial Hall, popular with young people.
The introduction of a liquor ban plus the new patrols were two ways of helping combat the problem, Const Taylor said.
The patrols would be out on the streets on week nights "at random", and would concentrate their efforts on the busier times between Thursday and Sunday nights.
Patrol members are encouraged not to approach anyone they see causing trouble but to contact police so they can respond as quickly as possible.
Anyone interested in wanting to become a patrol member can contact either Const Taylor or Balclutha community co-ordinator Irene Mosley.
