RIEGATE: Police step up patrols to help golf course drive off abusive teenagers

Police step up patrols to help golf course drive off abusive teenagers


EFFORTS to bunker troublemakers at a popular golf course have been ramped up to try to stop acts of vandalism and intimidation.

Surrey Police is to carry out extra patrols after members of Redhill and Reigate Golf Club, in Pendleton Road, Reigate, contacted the force complaining about teenagers loitering on the course on Thursday and Friday evenings.

According to reports,yobs are gathering on the 16th and 17th greens,drinking alcohol and shouting abusive language at golfers.

They have also thrown litter around the golf course and tampered with flags, either damaging or removing them and placing them elsewhere on the course.

Golf club chairman Tony Hallett said problems began at the start of summer and coincided with the introduction of CCTV cameras in Priory Park. The chairman believes the youths have relocated to the golf course to escape the cameras.


Mr Hallett, who has been chairman for almost two years, said the young yobs were costing the club hundreds of pounds.

On average the golf course has to replace three flags a week along with tee markers,which are regularly stolen and never found.

Mr Hallett said: "It's frustrating and to put an actual figure on how much it is costing the club is tough because we don't know how many golfers have been deterred by the youths and have decided to play elsewhere.

"They usually congregate around the greens in the evening and when asked to move by the golfers they usually yell extremely foul language back."

The golf club's head PGA professional, Warren Pike, said the youths had become so "intolerable" that members - especially females - were advised not to play during Thursday and Friday evenings.

Mr Pike said: "I have played here for nine years and never experienced vandalism like this. It's got to the point where we have started replacing the flags with sticks because they will go missing otherwise.

"Visitors and members are constant-ly complaining because these kids are using foul language and intimidating everyone who wants to play on the course.It's intolerable."

In addition to the extra patrols,police will also disperse groups of youths found to be on the course without a legitimate reason.

Youths found in possession of alcohol will have it confiscated and be issued with "football-style" yellow card warnings.

The warnings, which have been used to curb disorder in town centres, aim to make offenders aware they face potential summons or arrest if their behaviour continues.

Neighbourhood specialist officer PC Paul Constable said: "Those who use the club for its intended purpose should be able to enjoy their game in peace without the fear of being intimidated.

"We are appealing to those youngsters who do not have a legitimate reason to be on the course to stay away or face the embarrassment of being approached by police and asked to move on."

The new measures come almost immediately after police introduced Section 30 dispersal orders in Redhill and Banstead town centres in an effort to curb intimidating and antisocial behaviour.The order followed concerns from residents that the antisocial behaviour was on the rise.

Surrey Police confirmed it was working with the golf club to try to identify those responsible for its problems.

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.

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