POLICE: WE WILL STOP VANDALS
■ ASHBOURNE police have promised to clamp down on growing anti-social behaviour in the town. They will be stepping up patrols and, with partner organisations, target groups causing trouble in the wake of damage last week to the under-construction sport pavilion in the Memorial Park.
ASHBOURNE’S police officers have promised to ramp up efforts to tackle a growing issue with anti-social behaviour in the town.
Officers say they will be stepping up patrols, and working on a long-term plan to target groups that are causing trouble in Ashbourne, which they say will involve working with “partners” to prevent problems arising.
Last week we reported on an incident close to the town centre that many people saw as the final straw an internal wall in the new sports and community pavilion was smashed to pieces overnight.
The construction of the new pavilion, on Ashbourne’s recreation ground, follows years of hard work by volunteers in raising enough money to create what will soon become an important new facility for sports teams and community groups.
Jordan Mallisch, the owner of the Ashbourne-based construction firm that is building the new pavilion, said last week that anti-social behaviour in the town had been going on for “far too long”.
And now the police officers who are tasked with keeping people and property safe in Ashbourne have responded, pledging to work hard on tackling the root cause of the problems.
Sergeant Daniel Brooks, who leads the Safer Neighbourhood Team in Ashbourne, said: “Myself and the team are aware of the ongoing anti-social behaviour issues and are working with partners to resolve the issues.
“Firstly, let me reassure those in the area that extra patrols have been stepped up in areas where we have seen particular issues.
“However, the issues that lie behind this behaviour will not simply be solved by having more officers on the streets of the town.
“Therefore, we are working closely with partners to create long-term, sustainable, plan to help prevent the behaviour happening to begin with.
“Over the coming weeks targeted intervention of groups known to be involved in this behaviour are taking place and our hope is that we will soon begin to see the fruits of this work.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to ask the parents and carers of young people in the area to speak to their children and reinforce the work of my officers and our partners.”
Other reports of anti-social behaviour in the town have included broken gas bottles and drug paraphernalia being left at public sites, including the Sean Griffin Memorial stand in the recreation ground and at the bus shelter in Shaw Croft.
Youths have been reported for riding mini motorbikes in public places, including on Fishpond Meadow, in Bradley Wood, and even on some of the town’s pavements, and vandalism has been spotted in other sites.
Small groups of youngsters have also been reportedly riding around the town on bicycles, using abusive language towards people when they are challenged.
To report any issues to the police, call 101, or use the channels available at www.derbyshire.police. uk and on social media.