Residents to tackle police chief over vandals problem

The county's chief constable has agreed to attend Colburn Town Council's annual meeting to brief local people on force policies.

However, despite recent police initiatives to rein in the teenage troublemakers, David Kenworthy can expect a rough ride from some who live in the area, who claim their lives are still being made a misery.

Colburn is not alone; the nearby villages of Scotton, Hipswell and Catterick were included in a Richmond police operation launched last year, which aims to monitor complaints about children, and target problem areas with additional resources and patrols.

The Community Safety team is also involved, developing youth councils to give disenchanted youngsters a voice.

Ward councillor on Richmondshire District Council, Peter Wood, is still anticipating some residents will want their say at Colburn Town Hall this evening.

"It is the shops in particular which are suffering, particularly when children are on their way home from schools. Shoppers are reluctant to mingle with them, which affects local trade.

"We accept the police have been doing their best, but there are not enough of them. They cannot possibly be everywhere at once,'' he said.

Richmond police commander, Inspector Charles Kay, acknowledged some concern still exists, despite the recent initiatives.

He will also attend tonight's meeting along with beat sergeant, Andrew Nursey.

However he said, even with the chief constable present, there could be no "magic solutions".

"What we need most is time enough to give the measures we have introduced a chance to work. It is about learning to live together and that is not something the police can do alone.

"We need people to report what they see, and to tell us who is responsible; if necessary we can use the new Anti-Social Behaviour Orders or extra patrols - but youth councils could be another approach.

"Perhaps, if youngsters felt they had a say, then they would be less likely to cause trouble," he said