Beat officers from the Nightingales have been given the keys to a special Vauxhall Vivaro, equipped with computers, a mini jail cell, and CCTV camera.

The initiative is part of Newbury Police’s high profile presence on former council estates in the town, where residents had complained of graffiti, drinking, syringes and intimidation by gangs of teenagers.

Police chiefs hope the cameras will allow officers to gather evidence, while the computers can check for youths who should be under curfew.

Chief Inspector Robin Rickard of West Berkshire police said cracking down on yobs was the public’s top priority for police, adding: “They will allow the community policing teams to spend more time out in areas where action against anti-social behaviour seriously improves quality of life for communities and the CCTV equipment will allow instant evidence gathering.

“The vans are primarily going to be used by our community policing teams in both Newbury and Pangbourne, however the vehicles are very versatile and will be a resource which can used in other appropriate situations and locations”