Nailsea put on best behaviour

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Moronic behaviour by a minority of youths and mountains of muck has led Nailsea police to toughen its stance on issuing ASBOs.

Sadly the not unusual midsummer madness began early this year and has seen a small group of persistantly bad behaved young people bingeing on alcohol and drugs in public places.

The 2017 drug of choice is 'laughing gas' and the drink is bottled beer.

In the past it has been anything and everything from cider from the off-licence bought by older friends or siblings to bottles taken from their homes when parents aren't looking.

The illegal highs have during the past 40 years have ranged from magic mushrooms to glue-sniffing - all now so passé.

This week Nailsea police issued a warning that they have stepped up patrols especially on Friday and Saturday nights to deal with increased levels of anti-social behaviour (ASB).

PC Peter Rooke, of Nailsea Police Station, said: “Unfortunately we have seen a marked increase in general ASB, incidents of criminal damage, under-age drinking and littering over the past few months.

“I don’t like to be negative about young people as they often get undeserved bad press, which in most cases is unfair and unwarranted.

"However, recently we have seen very large groups of teenagers gathering in Millennium Park, Golden Valley playing fields and NowhereWoods.

“Officers have seized large quantities of alcohol from people we know are under 18, there is evidence of cannabis use and park equipment and furniture, including picnic benches and play equipment, have been badly damaged and will need to be replaced.

“We have also seen extensive littering, not only of general rubbish, but hundreds and hundreds of 'Nos gas' canisters, which is another expense to council to clear up.”

The beat and patrol teams have been joined by colleagues from the special constabulary and the mounted unit during the past four weeks to conduct high-visibility patrols.

PC Rooke said: “We will continue these high-visibility patrols during the evenings and we will be contacting the parents of any young person under the age of 18 who is found in possession of alcohol, and asking them to come and collect their children.

"We will also take robust action in relation to anyone found to be either damaging property or involving themselves with drugs.”

An 18 year-old male from the town has been banned from entering Millennium Park after being issued with a Community Protection Warning (CPW).

This follows two previous incidents where he was found to be in possession of cannabis and alcohol, when aged under 18, within the park area.

He had also been required to take part in the Community Resolution Process after he was found to have been responsible for a series of graffiti 'tags' in the skate park.

If he now breaches the terms and conditions of his CPW then he can be arrested.

PC Rooke added: “All officers are now equipped with body worn video cameras.

"These will be switched on during these patrols and we are already working with local schools to identify anyone captured on film committing offences and those we believe to be responsible for incidents of criminal damage and ASB.

“We want young people to be able to have fun, see their friends and use the green spaces and open areas of Nailsea, but they need to be mindful of their impact on others and understand that anti-social behaviour and criminal damage do have consequences.”

If you have information about any ASB, or have been the victim of ASB call the beat team on the 101 telephone number. 
Alternatively you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 - they never ask your name or trace your call.