The problem youths who have terrorised residents on the Gwavas Estate
in recent weeks are now facing the threat of ASBOs, according to the
police.
People
living on the Newlyn estate say their lives have been ruined by gangs
of youngsters drinking alcohol, vandalising cars and property, and
using foul-mouthed abuse towards homeowners.
In an effort to
tackle the problems extra police officers were drafted in and this week
came the warning that antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) are being
considered for a number of known individuals.
Penzance police
inspector Chris Strickland says officers are now building cases which
could see several children placed under stringent controls.
He added: "We are looking at gathering specific evidence to get ASBOs for several individuals we have identified.
"We
are looking at various options - one of them we'll try to use is ASBOs,
but there are other long term plans were are considering."
The
steps have been taken after a month of unrest at the estate culminated
in ugly scenes recently when a woman was knocked to the ground by a
gang of youths.
On top of reports of drunkenness, abusive language and vandalism the police say they confiscated a BB gun from a six-year-old.
Chairman
of the Gwavas Residents Association, Jennie Beamish, said: "Most of the
summer the kids have been good as gold, but in the last three weeks
it's got really bad with gangs of more than 20 children involved in
antisocial behaviour."
Following a plea to police from Mrs Beamish and fellow residents extra officers were drafted onto the estate last week.
Inspector
Strickland explained that officers from around the district as well as
Liskeard, St Austell and Camborne were used to quell the troubles.
He said: "My understanding is that things have now calmed down a bit in recent days."
Mrs
Beamish added: "There have been more police up here and they are
patrolling on foot which is what we asked for. Inspector Strickland has
also been up here and listened to what people had to say which helped a
lot."
In the coming weeks Mrs Beamish hopes to arrange an open
meeting involving the police and other agencies to discuss long term
plans for the estate.
Article copyright THE CORNISHMAN