Time's up (From Barry And District News)

Time's up

A BARRY police inspector has told the Barry and District News that anti-social behaviour in Romilly Park will not be tolerated.

And he added that ASBO referral letters have been issued as part of the police crackdown on yobbish behaviour in the town.

His words follow a report in last week's edition, when people living near the park complained of gangs of drunken youths gathering in the park and terrorising nearby residents.

Inspector Geraint Evans said: 'I would like to reassure the young people that we are not trying to stop them using the park for recreational purposes.

'However, we are not prepared to tolerate unacceptable behaviour and any offenders will be dealt with appropriately.'

Insp Evans said a number of arrests have already been made and 47 ASBO referral letters have been issued to young people in the park (an ASBO referral letter is the first stage in a four-stage process, which culminates in a full order being issued).

He said: 'Romilly Park has tended to present us with problems over the years in respect of anti-social behaviour, both inside the park and in surrounding streets. 'Several years ago we successfully tackled the problems, and by working with our partners in the local authority and youth services, we have managed to maintain a trouble-free environment there.'

He added: 'I am aware that in recent months the problems have escalated and as a result, we have run operations in the park to deal with the behaviour and to assess the scale of the problem.

'We intend to continue with these operations and are consulting with our partners in an effort to resolve them once again.'

The report also provoked a reaction from a young park user, who said not all youngsters in the park are drinking alcohol and causing trouble.

The teenager, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Some people are getting ASBOs for doing nothing at all. It isn't the 13-year-olds that are drinking; it is the 18 and 19-year-olds, and we don't associate with them.

'My friends and I leave the park well before 10pm - the residents are accusing the wrong people.'

Mixed reactions: Letters, pages 22-23.

*The Vale of Glamorgan Council will shortly be asking people who live in the county to highlight areas of anti-social behaviour, and to say whether the problems are caused by people drinking in the streets.

Using this information, the council will then draw up designated areas in the county where drinking alcohol on the streets will be banned.

The list of designated areas is expected to be produced later this year.