Action on youth crime and nuisance

A 'Youth Action Project Worker' has being appointed to help tackle youth crime and nuisance behaviour in the area.

Melanie-Jay Head will take up her post in May and cover the Welwyn Hatfield and Hertsmere areas, which includes Brookmans Park, Welham Green and Potters Bar.

According to Hertfordshire Police, the brief will be to identify the root cause of youth-related nuisance and anti-social behaviour and find longer-term solutions so the problems do not reoccur.

A spokesperson for the scheme said the first step is to talk to and get to know the young people involved.

"We need to find out why they behave in the way they do and identify local needs and problems. We then work together with other agencies such as the local council, youth groups, residents and schools, to create a response to address the issue," she said.

According to Inspector Duncan Sales, who heads Hertfordshire's Community Safety Unit, many young people misbehave as a result of boredom.

"Young people are part of the community too and the majority are not necessarily the trouble makers they are perceived to be. The idea is to intervene at an early stage where a problem is identified and work with other agencies to find lawful alternative activities and projects for them to become involved in, that are of interest to them and put their talents to more constructive use and create more opportunities for them," he said.

In a separate development, police have invested in a new patrol van to help officers target and prevent drug misuse in the area.

Police say the van will help communities disrupt local drug markets. The officers involved will also tackle drug-related crime and associated disorder and aim to help communities resist drugs and act against drug misuse.

The van will carry educational drug-related equipment and information. It will be used at police and local community events involving young people as well as to patrol areas reported to be used for drug taking.

Police say it is another example of the Hertfordshire Constabulary working in partnership with the local parish and district councils to help tackle matters of concern to local communities.

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January 29, 2003

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