Working together to tackle anti-social youth behaviour (From Warrington Guardian)

Working together to tackle anti-social youth behaviour

11:37am Thursday 9th July 2009

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AGGRIEVED Whittle Hall residents gathered at a joint police and council meeting to discuss the problems of anti-social behaviour around Mary Ann Meadows.

Around 40 residents attended the meeting at Whittle Hall Community Centre to voice their concerns to police, councillors and Warrington Borough Council workers.

Clr Keith Gleave, chairman of Great Sankey Parish Council, said: “We knew quite a lot of the issues already because we’ve been dealing with a number of the residents quite closely for a few weeks.

“While they are happy with youths gathering on the field they are unhappy about them drinking alcohol and leaving behind cans, bottles and other litter in the area.

“They also want them to be quieter when making their way to and from Mary Ann Meadows.

“When they leave they are often so paralytic that they fall into residents’ gardens and make a general nuisance of themselves to the point where police need to be called.”

Clr Gleave said councillors have requested ‘no alcohol allowed’ signs and for the borough council to organise more litter picking.

Police regularly patrol the area, confiscating alcohol from youngsters and getting their names and addresses to inform their parents.

Sgt Clare Ellis said: “We have launched a special operation to target the issues. We have stepped up patrols in hotspot areas, we are targeting repeat offenders and are continuing to confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers.

“We will not tolerate any sort of behaviour that has a negative impact on the quality of life of the local community and residents can rest assured that we will be taking positive action where necessary.”

Whittle Hall councillors joined officers on a recent Friday night patrol to speak to youngsters to learn why they congregate at Mary Ann Meadows, which has been a long-time favourite haunt.

Clr Gleave added: “They said they just wanted somewhere to hang around with their mates so we contacted youth services who will be going around Mary Ann Meadows and other popular areas to see what can be done to interest them and move them away from alcohol.”

Residents will be updated on the progress at a community action meeting at Whittle Hall Community Centre, on Lonsdale Close, at 7pm tonight, Thursday.

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