POLICE have allayed fears that there is a growing “gang culture” on the streets of Wellington among local youths.

Cllr Steve Mercer, speaking at Wellington Town Council’s full monthly meeting on June 1, said that someone had spoken to him about being “nervous” while out and about because of perceived gangs.

But Sgt Jon O’Connor, of Wellington Police, who was at the council meeting, assured Cllr Mercer that there was no gang culture in the town.

He said that the perception of there being a problem was probably caused by the way some young people act and how they dress which is trying to “mimic gang culture.”

“If these young people were dressed in jeans and t-shirts you wouldn’t think anything of it,” he said. “But if they are wearing hoodies and balaclavas you think – gangs. They are trying to look hard by the way they talk and walk.”

Sgt O’Connor said that Wellington was a “long way away” from the situation in large cities where gang culture is rife – where groups of youths get involved in criminal activities such as drug trafficking, theft or violence and look to take control of an area.

“I can understand why people might be feeling a bit anxious,” he said. “But I can say that as for gang culture, we are a long way away from that here in Wellington.”

Sgt O’Connor appealed to anyone who had concerns to come and speak to him or his fellow officers.

“If anyone is concerned about their child being involved in something please let us know and we can come and have a word with them without a waggy finger,” he said.

If anyone has any questions or enquiries they wish to make with the team, the enquiry office at Wellington Police Station is open from 10am to 2pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.