Warning of 'trouble' without more youth facilities

Michelle Witter co-founded Food Amore in Trowbridge

A small business owner has warned politicians and police to "expect trouble" unless more money is invested in youth facilities.

Michelle Witter, who co-founded Food Amore restaurant in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, said she regularly witnessed anti-social behaviour among young people in the town.

Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson has vowed to tackle the issue as well as introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order.

"We just need more resource and more grants and more money to do more," said Wiltshire councillor Jo Trigg.

Trowbridge residents, businesses and councillors met with the PCC at an event last week to discuss their concerns about crime in the town.

Ms Witter said she was particularly concerned about young people's behaviour during the summer holidays.

"Apart from the skate park, where is there for these children to go? So don't be surprised when they're hanging out outside The Shires making the place look a bit risky.

"The children that don't tend to hang out, will hang out. That will become their culture. Then they'll start mixing with the wrong crowd, and then what?

"Kids are easily influenced," she added. "You need to nip it in the bud, because you're dragging good kids into bad trouble."

Ms Witter suggested a share of the £9m invested on restoring the town hall would have been better spent on a community centre.

Kowann O'Neill said there is a lack of entertainment for young people in the town

Kowann O'Neill, an 18-year-old from the town, said he frequently sees underage drinkers.

He said: "Lots of kids would rather go out, get drunk and do drugs because there's not enough entertainment or any fun activities.

"These kids are going to grow up with the worst reputation, their education is ruined.

"They're not going to have good jobs. It is just sad."

Police community support officer Harry Brain patrols the town centre, speaking to intoxicated people and drug users to signpost them to the help available.

He said there was an increase in this type of behaviour over the past year, but described a "massive decrease" in recent weeks.

Police have been discussing the problems with locals

However, Mr Brain said business owners told him they see anti-social behaviour "24/7".

Mr Brain said it was vital anybody who had concerns about behaviour in the town reports it to the police.

"There has been a few issues in the past with communication between the agencies and who's responsible for what," he said.

"I think we are seeing that the responsibilities are more shared and we know exactly what we should be doing and where we should be going," he added.

He said reporting problems will help police in the long-term by showing them where patrols should be carried out.

Ms Trigg is also a trustee for the charity Trowbridge Future, which runs youth activities.

A venue on Mill Street opened last year following an award of more than £430,000 in National Lottery funding.

Ms Trigg has said "more and more" teens are going to the building to seek a safe space to hang out.