WREXHAM: Beauty spot crackdown on drunken yobs

Beauty spot crackdown on drunken yobs

Ewloe Castle.

WAR has been declared on boozed-fuelled yobs who are becoming a menace at a local beauty spot.

For years, louts have been plaguing dog walkers and nature lovers trying enjoying the supposed peace and tranquilty of Wepre Park with their drinking, bad language and anti-social behaviour.

The park, one of Flintshire's most popular beauty spots, and Ewloe Castle which stands in its grounds, have become a haven for underage drinking. Wepre Park Visitor Centre has repeatedly been vandalised, residents have complained of late-night parties, a children's play area has been destroyed and dogs have suffered injuries from discarded bottles left by the drinkers.

But police and Flintshire Council has decided enough is enough and is introducing tough new measures to stamp out the anti-social behaviour.

The authority is to make Wepre Park and Ewloe Castle a no-alcohol zone, giving police officers the power to seize and confiscate booze from drinkers and ban any open containers in the park.

The council's move has been prompted by North Wales Police following talks with local residents who are fed-up with their area being spoilt by louts.

It is also hoped the move will sweeten the blow of approving controversial plans for a £250,000 skatepark in Wepre Park. The plans were given the green light by Flintshire Council last week, leaving residents fuming who believe it will be a serious hazard to children and an anti-social menace.

But the council says the
alcohol ban will discourage nuisance behaviour.

Flintshire's legal and democratic services officer Barry Davies said: "There have been instances of people under the influence of alcohol in the park, being abusive to staff and visitors.

"There have been parties held by large numbers of young people in the park during which large amounts of alcohol are consumed. Fires have been lit which have caused damage.

"There is a great deal of litter caused by empty bottles and cans have been found in the Children's Play Area and on a weekly basis dog walkers complain of cuts sustained by their dogs caused by broken glass."

Ewloe Castle is maintained by the Welsh Assembly's historical watchdog Cadw.

"Cadw confirmed it was content for the council to proceed with a designation and stated it was endorsed and supported all action by the council to reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour.'

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