Youth disorder still an issue, councillor warns
PressHopAnti-social behaviour is still an issue in a town centre even after cameras and community officers were brought in, a councillor has warned.
Councillors have reported issues around Barrow, in Cumbria, including planters being knocked over, shop windows being smashed and further vandalism at Barrow Park.
Labour councillor Anne Burns praised the introduction of the measures, but said the behaviour was still a problem.
Westmorland and Furness Council said the recent changes had reduced anti-social behaviour.
"Kids in the town centre have been knocking planters over and windows in shops have been getting smashed," Burns told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
"McDonald's have had a hell of a time with the youngsters.
"But the neighbourhood police officers have been around and about, once they are visible it helps."
The decision to implement the cameras came in January, having been worked on by Barrow BID, Barrow Rising, Cumbria Police, councillors and multiple other partners.
"[Anti-social behaviour] has gone away a little bit, but it is still around," Burns said.
"They go from the town centre during the months when it's dark, now it is light they move up to Barrow Park, carrying out vandalism."
The Old Barrow and Hindpool councillor said the government's Pride of Place funding should go towards tackling the issue.
About £20m will be funneled from the scheme into Burns' ward over the next decade.
Burns said: "How can we fund more activities for young people to stop it happening, so it is not just us old ones saying to get the police and cameras, and seeing if we can do something about it?"
