A Message From Southam SNT

Southam Police have recieved various complaints about nuisance youths. Southam Police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will deal with nuisance youths appropiately and how they deem necessary, this may be by issuing a warning letter, evidence towards Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). Fixed Penalty Notices or arrest for criminal damage and public order offences.

Sgt Crust from Southam Police said: Southam town and surrounding villages have been suffering from anti-social behaviour caused by gatherings of youths. They are regularly seen to intimidate general members of the public by blocking pavements, shouting, swearing, drinking alcohol and generally being anti-social.

Numerous complaints have been received from members of the public. The youth's behaviour has also resulted in criminal offences being committed. This problem has been identified by the residents of the Southam area in the PACT process and has been adopted by Southam Police as one of the three priorities and is currently our main focus.

My team work very closely with Southam Town Council and all the local Parish Councils and created an Operational Order to combat this problem positively, robustly and collectively. Operation West Parley began at the beginning of February 08 and continues.

The Intention of the Police Operation is to:

i. To target and tackle the issues which matter most to the community in Southam and surrounding villages.
ii. To increase visibility and familiarity to reassure members of the public that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and therefore improve confidence and feelings of safety within the community.

iii. Identify the youths responsible and take positive action by whatever means to alleviate any problems.

In order to achieve the above objectives the Police operation has been and continues to be as follows:

i. Southam Police will be adopting a local approach to Policing and all available staff including members of the Special Constabulary will be utilised to patrol any problem areas, either on foot or mobile patrol.

ii. Youths spoken to will be advised that their behaviour is causing harassment, alarm and distress to members of the public and the recreation areas in the town are the appropriate areas for these youths to socialise.

iii. The operation will be carried out in various stages:-

· Assessment of the problems and advice given where necessary.

· Problem youths identified, confiscation of alcohol.

· PACE search forms completed.

· Youths returned to home addresses if necessary and any criminal offences dealt with robustly.

· Arrests when necessary.

· Assessing any improvement but with firmer action being taken with any transgressors.

· Re-assess impact of the operation and implement short/long term strategies - multi agency approaches, support mechanisms etc for individuals and families - Intervention from Social Services and Youth Offending Team etc.

To date the Operation has given us many positive results. This in turn has sent out very loud and clear messages across our communities confirming that such behaviour will not be tolerated. We have completed numerous stop searches, carried out arrests, confiscated alcohol, taken youths home and administered street cautions for various offences.

I must point out that the majority of local youths are law abiding, well behaved and respectful individuals. However, the minority who are coming to our attention are being dealt with positively and all parents must be mindful and aware of where their children are, who they associate with and what they actually do with their spare time?

Southam Police work in conjunction with their business partners to protect against distress, thus giving individuals and our communities confidence to go about their lives without fear.

We must remember that crime and anti social behaviour cannot flourish in a community that cares.