Action over gang pests

POLICE are to increase their patrols in the area of the Civic Centre and Tesco, Uckfield, because of problems with youths congregating in the area.

Town clerk Ashley Serpis told councillors there had been a number of disturbances outside and inside the Civic Centre and there had been times when the doors had to be closed with people inside because of the behaviour of people outside.

In addition to the police patrols Mr Serpis said there was to be a meeting at the community college to form a community forum to deliver a service for young people in the area.

'We will be having a meeting specifically with youth groups, the youth trust and the community college and the police and any other agency to see what the problem is.

He added that one of the 'more senior members of the group congregating in the area of the Civic Centre had been invited by police to go along. Cllr Duncan Bennett said this was not just an issue concerning Tesco and the Civic Centre. 'These instances are growing, this is a town-wide problem.

Cllr Len Ashby agreed. He had spoken to police about a problem on The Drive where 'a young group was starting to form and cause problems for residents and he suggested somebody from that group should be invited to the talks.

Cllr Martha Whittle said she was concerned there had been no mention of parents being involved in the talks. 'Parents have responsibility for these kids. They are not grown ups and parents have to be involved voluntarily or we should look at ways of making it compulsory that they look after their children.

Cllr Bennett said: 'The youth forum is the key to opening up an awful lot of funding for youth issues in this town. Anything that can help, anything that can provide facilities for the youth has got to be worth the council getting behind.