Task force to tackle unruly teens

An anti-social behaviour task force is to be set up in Portishead as part of a drive to take troublesome teenagers off the streets.

Police are planning to pull together organisations including the town council, local schools, fire service, youth organisations and residents to set up the group which will launch this summer.

It is hoped the new task force, the first of its kind to launch in North Somerset, will include volunteers from the proposed new Street Pastor project where residents will patrol the town at peak times to work with youngsters.

The idea to set up the task force follows mounting concern about levels of anti-social behaviour in the town.

Police have already been forced to step up patrols of trouble spots, including the Lake Grounds, at weekends to deal with large numbers of youths gathering there, drinking and causing chaos until the early hours.

Officers have seized alcohol from youngsters and taken teenagers found behaving badly back home to their parents.

The task force – headed by the police – would target resources at anti-social behaviour hot spots at peak times. It will also look at ways of getting youngsters off the streets by providing alternative activities and perhaps installing dedicated youth shelters.

The task force is the brainchild of North Somerset Police Sector Inspector Jon Owen.

Inspector Owen said: "The issue of anti-social behaviour is something which is raised regularly as a matter of concern by residents in Portishead.

"The task force will be looking at a more holistic way of dealing with issues in the town, using a mix of agencies, community groups and volunteers.

"We will have short term, medium term and long term aims.

"It will not be solely about enforcement, but also about dealing with the lack of provision in the town for young people.

"At the moment we being called out at night and dealing with problems as and when they arise.

"This is a sticking plaster approach to the problem and we need to look at the issues with a view to dealing with them in the longer term."

A consultation will get under way with local teenagers over the coming months to investigate what facilities are needed.

Insp Owen said: "The consultation will help to give us an accurate picture of the issues in Portishead.

"It is vital that we involve the young people in this process and we do not plan to impose anything without them having their say."

It is hoped that one facility which can be used is the proposed new youth cafe at Portishead Youth Centre.