Latest news with #antisocialbehaviour
BBC News
17 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Calls for disused fire station to be converted into youth centre
A town councillor is calling for a disused fire station to be turned into a dedicated youth centre under plans to "reduce anti-social behaviour".The proposal would see The Old Fire and Ambulance building in Calne, Wiltshire, converted into a "vibrant hub" that could host activities and workshops for young Orrey Pike said plans were in its "very early" stages."Empty buildings are a wasted opportunity but even worse is leaving our young people with nowhere to go," he said. In 2023, Calne Town Council took control of the derelict Grade II listed building from Wiltshire Council and revealed plans for a £250,000 revamp of the the time it was suggested the space could be used by community groups, however the building has continued to deteriorate over time. Mr Pike said turning the site into a youth club could help reduce anti-social behaviour in the town."We can give them [young people] a space to learn, socialise, and develop skills in a safe and supervised setting."We want to give young people something to do and look to reduce crime."It is unclear where funding for the refurbishment would come from and feasibility studies are yet to be discussed. 'Action, not words' Calls for more local youth provision have been echoed by Wiltshire Youth for Christ, a faith-based youth and community organisation."There aren't the resources and opportunities for young people that there used to be," said youth worker, Steve Dewar welcomed the idea to transform the old building into a youth hub, but said it needs to be followed by action."It's great when a town says 'we're going to do something about it', but we don't need words, we need action," he said.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Public sex, racial abuse and drug dealing among thousands of complaints texted to Irish Rail last year
Racial and homophobic abuse, drug dealing and sexual harassment were among the complaints submitted by Irish Rail users through its antisocialsocial behaviour text alert service last year. A total of 4,249 texts were sent to the service in 2024, according to a log of complaints released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act. An average of nearly 12 complaints were made through the anonymous service every day, though many texts related to the same incident. The number of incidents deemed to 'pose a risk of harm to customers or staff' stood at 29 per million customers in the most recently available quarter. READ MORE Complaints about drunk passengers and 'loud music' made frequent appearances in the service log. More than 200 reports related to drug consumption or dealing, many of which were reporting the non-confrontational use of illegal substances, though some were more serious. 'There is two parents doing cocaine with their baby in a pram in front of them,' one rail user reported. Reports of sexual offence were also constant throughout the year, from sexual aggression to sexual harassment and a number of reports of sexual assault. One complaint reported a couple performing 'sexual acts openly' between carriages. There were multiple reports of 'drug dealers' using train bathrooms to perform drug drops or to meet customers, as well as complaints of railway stations being used as drug meetup points fordrug users. Other users of the service reported serious issues such as domestic violence, with one report of a man abusing a partner and threatening to 'smash her head in, break her legs, throw her under train' all within earshot of children. There was a report that people at Howth Junction Train Station were attempting to sell a 'small brown dog' for €15. Adam Conway (25), who frequently travels by train to Dublin from Laois, has experienced physical violence from a group of young men on a late train home – he says such journeys often have a 'very uncomfortable' environment and there are often drunk and disorderly people. He recently used the antisocial behaviour text line to report an incident in which an 'aggressive' man was racially abusing and insulting passengers. Security did not arrive to address the situation while he was on board. Racist, sexist and other types of discriminatory abuse were common among last year's complaints, with racial abuse being mentioned the most. There was nearly one such complaint every week. Mr Conway said that despite the negative experiences, he has found the staff and customer service on Irish Rail to be 'extremely helpful' in dealing with other, non-urgent issues. 'When you text the word 'Train' to 51444, that message is sent to a bunker of Howth Junction Dart Station which is manned by security officers,' said Mark Gleeson, a spokesperson for Rail Users Ireland, the representative body for rail passengers. 'They have significantly increased the number of security patrols,' Mr Gleeson said of Irish Rail but noted that the problem with the service is that when you send in a message 'you are a moving target'. 'Getting the security resources [in time] to attend an incident and pick up an individual is very unlikely,' he said, noting that it is only in 'extreme cases' that gardaí will be called to issues on trains. 'The biggest problem we have got is that stations are unstaffed, which causes a lot of fear for passengers. It is not like Luas stations, which are mostly open and public. Most of the train stations are in cut-ins, they are dark, they have got bridges over them and they are walled in.' Train platforms are frequently identified as locations for antisocial behaviour. One rail user complained of two children 'driving a motorised scooter' on Howth platform, saying they had 'crashed into several passengers'. Another rail user was attacked and robbed on a platform at Howth Junction. The majority of incidents, however, took place on trains themselves. Irish Rail said the 'vast majority of the 50.1 million journeys on our service – including 34.7 million in the Dublin commuter area covered by the text alert service – take place without incident, but we will continue to prioritise prevention of incidents, and rapid response working with our partners.' The statement continued: 'Our text line is just one of the measures we have in place to address antisocial behaviour: as a societal issue to which we are not immune, we have a range of proactive and preventative measures and response measures in place, working with our own team, our private security contractors and An Garda Síochána.' Irish Rail said it has 'consistently expanded' its security presence in recent years. Software engineer Ankish Raj Prajapati (25) said he recently boarded a carriage that was 'covered in blood and broken glass bottles' following an antisocial incident. Mr Prajapati was with his parents who had come to visit him in Dublin for the first time, and although the group did not witness the incident first-hand, he described it as a 'very horrific experience'. He said he is less likely to use the Dart than other public transport as a result. 'Especially at night, the Darts feel worse than other public transport,' he said, noting that after an increase in security presence, the Luas feels safer.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Anti-social youths spark dispersal order in town
A dispersal order has been put in place in a town after groups of youths were found to be "intimidating, threatening and frightening people". The order in Maghull on Merseyside, which runs until 23:00 BST and includes the town's main parks, follows recent incidents of antisocial behaviour as seen at Maghull Cricket Club. Young people were fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - during a junior coaching session last month. Sefton Neighbourhood Inspector Kenneth Sumner said the dispersal order was to "make sure that everyone can feel safe in Sefton". The order gives police and police community support traffic officers the power to order people to leave an area if they are suspected of committing, or being likely to commit, a criminal offence or anti-social behaviour. Maghull Cricket Club has made about 25 police reports since July last year about people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising its equipment. It is now seeking funding to help with the costs of building a large fence. Insp Sumner said: "We will not tolerate groups intimidating, threatening and frightening people visiting, living and working in the Maghull area, or anywhere across Merseyside." He said many groups of young people had "stayed out of trouble, socialising with friends", but "some have been involved in anti-social behaviour". The issue was "a top priority" and the force was working with local businesses and the council and examining CCTV to identify suspects, he added. Under the legislation officers have the power to seize any item including vehicles and it is an offence for anyone directed to leave the area to return. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Cricket club to put up fence after fight on pitch Antisocial youths driving out members - cricket club Merseyside Police
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Anti-social youths sparks police dispersal order in Maghull
A dispersal order has been put in place in a town after groups of youths were found to be "intimidating, threatening and frightening people".The order in Maghull on Merseyside, which runs until 23:00 BST and includes the town's main parks, follows recent incidents of antisocial behaviour as seen at Maghull Cricket people were fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - during a junior coaching session last Neighbourhood Inspector Kenneth Sumner said the dispersal order was to "make sure that everyone can feel safe in Sefton". The order gives police and police community support traffic officers the power to order people to leave an area if they are suspected of committing, or being likely to commit, a criminal offence or anti-social behaviour. Maghull Cricket Club has made about 25 police reports since July last year about people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising its is now seeking funding to help with the costs of building a large Sumner said: "We will not tolerate groups intimidating, threatening and frightening people visiting, living and working in the Maghull area, or anywhere across Merseyside."He said many groups of young people had "stayed out of trouble, socialising with friends", but "some have been involved in anti-social behaviour".The issue was "a top priority" and the force was working with local businesses and the council and examining CCTV to identify suspects, he added. Under the legislation officers have the power to seize any item including vehicles and it is an offence for anyone directed to leave the area to return. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Police patrols ramped up as children caught with alcohol in town centre
CHILDREN have been caught with alcohol in a Herefordshire town, with police on the case. PC Daryl Kift said police have received reports of underage drinking in Ross-on-Wye town centre, mainly during weekends and in the Rope Walk area, which is also a non-drinking zone. "This is concerning, not only in regard to their age," said PC Kift, also citing the health risks and antisocial behaviour it brings. ALSO READ: Gas works to close town centre street Farmhouse with 4 acres for sale at just £350,000 Sad sight as part of city pub mural collapses Police patrols will be stepped up around the Rope Walk area, PC Kift confirmed, with alcohol to be confiscated from any children found to be drinking or have possession of alcohol. PC Kift said any children found with alcohol will be taken home by officers, as will any child found behaving in an antisocial manner. He warned parents to ensure they know where their children are during the weekend, whether they have access to alcohol, and whether they have money to purchase alcohol.
