REPORTS of anti-social behaviour (ASB) have been made by Wylam Parish Council to Northumberland County Council (NCC) and Northumbria Police.

The Parish Council is aware there has been fire and disposable barbecue damage in the village, along with damaged fencing and litter in picnic areas.

Dangerous driving and threatening behaviour has been reported at Hagg Bank.

Council members said they are deeply concerned to witness an increase in ASB in the village.

Colin Percy, Chair of Wylam Parish Council, commented: "The Parish Council is disappointed that some of the anti-social behaviour seen over the last two summers has returned, though perhaps not on the same scale."

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A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) (Consumption of Alcohol) was made in 2021 for the Wylam Parish Council area, to address the significant increase in ASB experienced during the first lockdown.

These orders deal with issues damaging local community life.

The Parish Council hopes to develop the Order to reflect newer forms of behaviour that have emerged this year, especially the use of disposable barbecues.

In a Facebook post, the Parish Council said 'extensive graffiti' was discovered on Points Bridge.

"We are disturbed that some of the behaviour, notably the graffiti on Points Bridge next to Hagg Bank, looks a bit more premeditated.

"We are in discussions with the County Council and the Police about what action they and the Parish Council can take on these issues," Colin said.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "Shortly before 9.30am on Monday (July 18) we received a report of graffiti along the walkway of Points Bridge in Wylam.

"The graffiti has since been removed and enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the Tell Us Something page of our website, or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20220718-0268."

A spokesperson for Northumberland County Council said: "We are aware of the ASB incidents in Wylam as are the Police.

"With regard to the damage at Wylam, we are currently taking advice on overpainting the graffiti on Hagg Bank Bridge which is a Grade II Listed structure. Our staff are picking litter when they're made aware of accumulations and the damaged fencing is being removed."

"Barbecues are banned in our country parks this summer as the hot, dry weather poses too much of a fire hazard and we are encouraging people to bring a picnic instead," the spokesperson said.

The Parish Council urges residents witnessing ASB or its consequences to report this to the Police, by calling 101 or completing an online report: https://beta.northumbria.police.uk/our-services/report-it/report-an-incident/.