A scheme designed to tackle antisocial behaviour around the exam period in Welwyn Hatfield is set to return for the 10th year.

Operation Balsam, an out-of-hours service designed to combat neighbourhood noise, will return between Friday, May 11 and Sunday, May 20.

It is run jointly by the borough council, Herts Police and the University of Hertfordshire, and involves putting additional noise patrols in place between 10pm and 3am.

Council officer Jeanette Hollingsworth said: “Operation Balsam aims to work with the whole community, including students, helping them to understand the impact that noise can have on the neighbourhood.

“Although the operation runs in May, at the end of the academic year when students are celebrating the end of exams, it’s not about stopping them having fun, it’s about highlighting the responsibility everyone has to be respectful.”

The service, funded by the university, is additional to the weekly out-of-hours noise service Operation Reprise, which will continue on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year.

Geraldine Ward, dean of students for the university, added: “I am really pleased to be launching Operation Balsam again this year.

“It has a positive effect on community relations and gives local residents and students alike an additional resource where they can voice any concerns.”