Police to ban teens from gathering in Newborough

Jun 3 2009 Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

POLICE could soon be clamping down on teenagers hanging round on the street corners of a rural village.

Dispersal orders could be issued at several points in Newborough, which means groups of teenagers will not be able to congregate in certain areas.

Last Thursday, a public meeting was held at Eglwys Bach community centre to discuss the issue.

Crime figures for this year released by North Wales Police would suggest that criminal behaviour in the area is on the wane when compared to last year.

Rhosyr Community Councillor Dafydd Hughes is against the dispersal orders as he believes it could breed animosity and hatred of the police amongst the youth.

He said: “The problem is you can’t tar all youngsters with the same brush.

“There have been issues here in the past but I don’t think there’s a need to be so heavy handed.

“If they can’t meet up at certain points in the village, then where can they go?

“I think if you come down too hard on these youngsters then you’re storing up trouble for future generations.”

Supt Gareth Wynne of North Wales Police said: “The interventions of the police working closely with the local authority to address the problem of anti-social behaviour does not solely rely upon a dispersal order.

“The order is something which forms only a part of a wide ranging plan aimed at bringing sustainable improvements to the quality of life of the residents of Newborough.

“Dispersal orders, when used as part of an overall action plan, have proved to be successful when used in other areas of Anglesey.

“We will simply not allow the minority to continue to adversely affect the quality of life of the majority, and would ask for public support in our efforts to eradicate anti-social behaviour in Newborough.”

elgan.hearn