Trouble doubles in county's libraries

Norfolk County Council said it was working with police to deliver "swift action" after incidents

Cases of anti-social behaviour in a county's libraries have more than doubled, a council has said.

Norfolk County Council said it had recorded 242 incidents at its buildings in the last year, compared to 115 the year before.

The BBC has previously reported how one library had locked its doors during opening hours because of "recurring" problems – whilst another's toilets had been vandalised.

A report for the authority's cabinet warned "libraries are seeing a rise in antisocial behaviour, with a significant proportion related to behaviours of members of the public in or by our locations".

Conservative councillor Penny Carpenter told a meeting of the authority's cabinet that threats and violence towards staff were "abhorrent".

"It is a sad indictment of our society that we are looking at this," she added.

Councillor Penny Carpenter said libraries "should be a safe place"

A council spokesman said that, of the cases of anti-social behaviour recorded last year, 240 were in libraries – and incidents including shouting and intimidating behaviour.

Last month, the library in Gorleston was having to be locked "most afternoons and evenings" after problems which the council said "typically involved groups of teenagers".

Meanwhile, toilets at the recently opened The Place in Great Yarmouth have been frequently closed because of vandalism.

Norfolk's 47 libraries are visited millions of times a year, so the number of anti-social behaviour cases is relatively small.

However, the Unison union – which represents many council staff – said the authority needed to "take this rise seriously".

"No-one should have to put up with anti-social behaviour at work, but it's doubly sad considering the great efforts library staff make to ensure their spaces safe and inclusive," said Eastern regional organiser Teisha Leigh.

"Across the country councils have been forced to bring in security guards, body-worn cameras and other drastic measures to bring anti-social behaviour in libraries under control. Hopefully this can be nipped in the bud."

Last month doors had to be locked at the Gorleston library because of anti-social behaviour

Conservative councillor Margaret Dewsbury, Cabinet Member for Communities, insisted Norfolk's libraries were safe with "the vast majority of visitors courteous and respectful".

But she said it was "deeply disappointing that a minority of visitors continue to behave in ways that are wholly unacceptable".

"Anti-social behaviour has no place in our libraries, and any mistreatment of staff will not be tolerated.

"We are working closely with Norfolk Constabulary to ensure clear lines of communication and swift action is taken where incidents occur," she said.