COCKERMOUTH: Police to tackle young yobs

Police to tackle young yobs

A CLAMP-DOWN on youth disorder will take place in Cockermouth over the coming weeks.

Police said they will be taking a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, fuelled by alcohol and mainly from youngsters visiting the town.

Inspector Martin Connolly said: “Anti-social behaviour has been highlighted as one of the main concerns of residents.

“There has been a trend for youths from surrounding towns to come to Cockermouth during the early evening, indulge in binge drinking and then cause disorder and damage.

“This is not acceptable and the people in Cockermouth are tired of being disturbed, threatened and abused.

“I want to people that we will be taking action against binge drinkers and anti-social people that refuse to take responsibility for themselves.”

High visibility patrols will be in hotspot areas including Brewery Lane, High Sands Lane, Waterloo Street, around Wakefield Road car park and the Memorial Gardens, where large groups often gather.

Police will also make full use of new banning powers, which came into force last month, that give officers the power to ban anyone 16 or older from anywhere for a period of 48 hours if they are found to be drunk or consuming alcohol in a public place and police suspect that anti-social behaviour is likely to take place.

Insp Connolly added: “Many youths make valuable contributions to the local community; however there is a minority who are determined to cause trouble.

"I need the assistance of all parents in the area to make sure they know what their children are doing and where, otherwise they may get a surprise when the police knock on their door. They need to take some responsibility for their children’s actions.”

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