ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Reports of low-level youth nuisance and anti-social behaviour in Rendlesham around the area of the village square and on children’s play areas during the evenings, causing annoyance and concern for the residents and customers at Costcutters.

Reports of motorcyclists riding illegally within the forests causing annoyance to those legitimately using the area and causing damage to the environment.

Objectives

To reduce the number of complaints regarding these incidents and actively engage with the youth community,encourageing them to become involved with new projects.To provide reassurance to shopkeepers and customers using the area and increase public confidence.

To reduce the number of complaints regarding the use of motor cycles in the forests by dealing with offenders positively.

Updates

We have addressed this by increasing high visibility foot patrols in the relevant areas and engaging with the youths.Terry Barrow our Community Support Officer has also been doing a lot of work with the local youth clubs to try and help improve facilities and activities.Terry has been involved with staff from SCDC in the delivery of 'SOUNDWAVE' events which provide youths with the opportunity to get involved in music by allowing them the chance to try out various different instruments and equipment,these have been a great 'hit' and more are planned for the coming year.Work is also ongoing with a view to starting youth clubs for the older teenage youths.Rendlesham parish council are exploring the possibility of installing a purpose built youth shelter which will be situated in a location where the youths can gather and socialise without disturbing the local residents,this is a project we fully support.By engaging in these and other initiatives we and our partners are hoping to encourage youths off the streets and into other more fulfilling activities.

The number of reports regarding the use of motorcycles in the forests has significantly reduced.As a result of reports from members of the public and by proactively patrolling the area we have dealt with a number of offenders by way of issuing formal warnings and fixed penalty tickets.We have found that some people are unaware that this activity,if unauthorised,is illegal, so by informing them otherwise we are hoping the message will get around to other motorcyclists,further reducing such incidents.

If you are aware of any issues you think we should know about, please do not hesitate to let us know by using any of the methods listed on the ‘Contact Us’ page.