SENIOR police officers have given a commitment to tackle an increase in anti-social behaviour in Hexham town centre.

Speaking at the latest meeting of Hexham Town Council, Tynedale’s Neighbourhood Inspector Pam Bridges said there had been 22 reported incidents of youth disorder in the last three months.

“The area I am talking about is mainly around the rear of the Abbey, the bowling green and the benches and trees in that area, as well as the area around the flats that back onto Gilesgate,” she told councillors.

Arson attacks on bins, criminal damage and general disorder were the key areas of concern and Insp. Bridges said a number of dispersal notices had been issued to move young people on.

“More police resources have been tasked to the area to engage with the young people and make them aware their behaviour is unacceptable,” said Insp. Bridges.

“We’ve already done some work with the local schools, and that will continue. We do need to do more in the centre of Hexham. We’ve done it in Ponteland and I’m confident, with a joined up approach, we’ll be successful here.”

Northern Area Command Superintendent Andy Huddleston, who was also at the meeting, said: “Alcohol sales are very much at the forefront of this.

“In Ponteland we’ve regularly had groups of 80 or 90 youths congregating and causing bother on a Friday night, but after approaching the schools, we’ve had no reports at all over the last six weeks.

“We have played our part, but it was actually making parents and the schools aware which brought most of the control on those young people.”