Police ask villagers in Evenwood for help in solving youth problems

POLICE have been questioned after saying Evenwood people must play a key role in finding a solution to youth problems after claims of yobs running amok, vandalising the village and even verbally abusing a man in his nineties.
It is claimed residents “fear reprisals” if they call the police. Village councillors also say they are worried about getting abuse if they approach the young people causing the problems.
Durham Police say they will not “purge” Evenwood's streets of young people, but they have pledged measures including extra patrols at hot-spot areas and summoning the help of a youth worker.
However, officers have drawn criticism after saying the community must play an important role in solving the problem.
Suggestions include creating a youth shelter but parish councillors say they have already spend tens of thousands of pounds on a play park and bike track.
The matter was discussed at the last parish meeting. Afterwards, Cllr Janet Sewell told fellow councillors: “Why do the police think it’s the parish council that has to sort it out? If the police can’t do anything, why should it be down to the parish council?” 
Two police officers attended the meeting to update councillors about village issues. Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson told Sgt Adam Howell: “I live in an area of Evenwood where there never used to be trouble. Over the past two years we have kids coming in their droves until late at night. We never see the police. It seems like they are doing nothing.”
The police were told about smashed alcohol bottles discarded by boozing teens who gather at Bank Top and Kayshall Farm.
Cllr Paul Townsend said the gang can number 30 or 40 kids. It was also reported that groups of youngsters were catching the bus from Cockfield to gather in Evenwood.
Sgt Howell replied: “They are entitled to do that. It’s not an issue of where they come from, it’s how they behave.”
He said claims made at the meeting were not reflected in official crime statistics, although he admitted that did not mean it wasn’t happening.
“If you are expecting us to purge the streets of all young people, we can’t do that. To gather is not an offence but anti-social behaviour is and we need to deal with that,” he said. Sgt Howell added that Evenwood did not have enough for young people to do. He said an outreach youth worker at Durham County Council had been tasked with engaging with young people to reduce the trouble by providing “diversionary” activities.
“But it is about the community – the parish councillors. What can we all do?” Sgt Howell added.
But Cllr Rachel Webb said: “People are getting verbal abuse from some of them. That happened to one man in his 90s and he wouldn't hurt a fly. We have had youth clubs, and we have got sporting facilities – running, cricket and football. We have given them opportunities.”
The meeting heard that the bike track and play area had been developed due to previous requests from young people.
Cllr Anne Lyons said: “Lots of people live on their own and they fear reprisals so will not call the police.”
The meeting heard that other people didn’t dial 101 or 999 because “nothing happened”.
But Sgt Howell said callers don’t have to provide names.
However, he said officers needed incidents to be logged so they could respond and build up a picture of the local issues.
He said creating a youth shelter could be a solution but admitted finding a suitable site could be a problem after hearing some residents may not want so many young people near their homes.
Cllr Mary Prince said youths meeting up wasn’t the problem, it was the “damage and destruction”.
Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson added: “Why have we got to sort it? There are qualified people to do that.”
But she was told by the police officer: “You are the community of Evenwood and you are the leaders of the community – why not?”
He denied police took a “softly softly” approach, adding that those alleged to be ringleaders had been identified and home visits were taking place.
The meeting heard that there were numerous police logs of “youth nuisance” but they were not taken any further due to a lack of CCTV coverage and other evidence.
Parish clerk Martin Clark said bringing in youth workers to Evenwood was nothing new and the previous attempt failed to engage the young people. But Sgt Howell said it was worth another try.
The meeting heard that patrols would be stepped up on Wednesday and Saturday evenings when there were more complaints. An anti-social behaviour co-ordinator was also carrying out home visits, councillors were told.
However, Sgt Howell said police resources were limited.
He explained: “Several years ago we used to have two PCSOs in the area but it’s now just one.
“That resource is displayed all over because its an important one. The pressure we are under with our resources means he is moved around so we won’t have him in Evenwood as much as I would like to.”
As reported previously, a meeting is being arranged between young people and the parish council in the hope of finding a solution. A possible youth shelter will be on the agenda.