Welney residents ask police to help tackle anti social behaviour

RESIDENTS in Welney are amongst those to have asked police to crack down on youth-related anti-social behaviour in three local hot spots. Local officers will work to deal with underage drinking in Downham Market, nuisance motorcyclists in Welney and anti-

RESIDENTS in Welney are amongst those to have asked police to crack down on youth-related anti-social behaviour in three local hot spots.

Local officers will work to deal with underage drinking in Downham Market, nuisance motorcyclists in Welney and anti-social behaviour in Feltwell, in response to increasing complaints.

The three new priorities were agreed between local residents and police at a public meeting held by Downham Safer Neighbourhood Team at Southery earlier this week.

All residents are encouraged to come along and raise their issues with police at the next priority-setting meeting due to be held at Nordelph village hall at 7pm on Thursday October 22.

Over the next two months, the team will work with residents and partner organisations to target:

Youths of young people congregating and drinking in the evenings on The Howdale in Downham Market, disturbing local residents and leaving litter.

Young people racing motorcycles and cars on Herne Drove playing field in Welney and climbing on the roof of the groundsman's container.

Groups of young people causing anti-social behaviour and criminal damage at the Golden Fry Chinese takeaway in Feltwell.

Downham Inspector Mick Bates said: "Over the past two months, the neighbourhood team has worked to reduce anti-social behaviour in Hilgay, Southery and Feltwell, after it was reported as an on-going problem.

"You can help direct police resources to deal with problems in your community by contacting the team while response officers are on patrol 24/7 for urgent policing issues."

Anti-social behaviour at Hilgay youth shelter has been reduced after officers and police community support officers maintained regular high visibility patrols to deter and disrupt offending. Local youths were spoken to and accepted that they shouldn't disturb nearby residents. Work is on-going with Hilgay Parish Council to improve this facility for young people.

Patrols were also stepped up to deal with vehicle nuisance at Southery playing field. A street briefing was held in the village to give residents the chance to chat to police face-to-face. A number of stop checks were carried out on young people to establish who they were and why they were there. Quantities of alcohol seized from those found drinking. No further issues have been reported.

Responding to complaints of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in Paynes Lane, Feltwell, the team maintained high visibility patrols and carried out stop-checks where necessary, leading to warning letters issued to the parents of two youths for unacceptable behaviour. Calls reporting anti-social behaviour have notably reduced.

The team says goodbye to PCSO Claire Line who has joined up as a student police officer and welcomes student officer PC Robert O'Donnell from training at police headquarters.

Further information about local policing activity in the Downham area can be found on the team's page at www.safernorfolk.co.uk

Local residents have the chance to meet and chat to their team at a number of informal street briefings in the community, details can be found in the local press and online.

To contact the team call 0845 456 4567 or e-mail them at sntdownhammarket@norfolk.pnn.police.uk