POLICE in Wellington have stepped up action and patrols to deal with youths causing anti-social behaviour in the town and breaking Covid-19 restrictions, writes Barry Knott.

Measures include taking action against individuals in possession of cannabis or drunk and disorderly.

Police have also issued £200 Covid-19 penalty notices and arrested one youth for causing criminal damage to a shop window.

Shopkeepers and store managers have been asked to check on the ages of customers and that they are not buying alcohol to supply under-age youngsters.

Police Sergeant Dan Bishop issued the following statement to the WWN this week: “Wellington Police Team have noted an increase in youth alcohol- and drug-related anti-social behaviour problems in and around Wellington in recent weeks.

“During the evening of Saturday, October 10, officers dealt with a group of 40-50 youths gathering in the skate park behind Wellington Sports Centre. Many of these youths were drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis and using other psychoactive substances.

“As a police team our aim is to tackle anti-social behaviour in a way that reduces its impact on victims and communities, develops understanding, learning and resolution for perpetrators, reduces harm and manages persistent perpetrators through appropriate justice resolutions.

“In dealing with the above incident we took positive action against those individuals identified to be in possession of cannabis or being drunk and disorderly resulting in 12 youths being referred and having to engage in a Youth Alcohol and Drug Diversion Scheme.

“ASB warning letters were generated and hand delivered to 11 youths and their parents in line with ASB legislation. These letters form stage one of the process which can be used as evidence to support community protection notices, community protection warnings and even criminal behaviour orders if the youths are identified as engaging in further anti-social behaviour.

“£200 Covid-19 penalty notices were issued to two youths aged 18 or over after they failed to leave the area after officers attempted to engage with them and explain that an unlawful gathering of more than six people was taking place.

“One was also arrested the same evening for causing criminal damage to a shop window in the town.

“In a bid to deter under-age drinking across the town, over the past two weeks Wellington officers have visited and conducted licensing checks at shops and stores that sell alcohol and ensured that proof of age for anyone who looks below 25 years of age is being requested before alcohol sales are made.

“We have also encouraged shopkeepers and store managers to check for groups of youths in and around the location when customers are purchasing alcohol and to notify us of any persons ages 18-21 who appear to be buying large amounts of alcohol so we can make enquires to confirm alcohol is not being passed or supplied to youths under-age.

“Targeted patrols will be carried out in all identified ASB hotspots and our regular high visibility and reassurance patrols will continue around the town.

“The Wellington Police Team would like to encourage the parents of youths across Wellington to have a conversation with their children about where they are going when they go out during the evenings. If your child tells you they were staying with a friend, please check and test this by making contact with other parents and such to confirm this is the case.

“It is important to ensure your child is aware of current Covid-19 regulations and to do all you can to safeguard your child and prevent them from making a mistake or taking part in an activity that could easily have a detrimental effect on their future or a negative impact on others.”