Gornal News & Goings On

NEWS

Operation Rackshaw - increased police presence pays dividends At a meeting of Gornal shopkeepers last Tuesday evening it was generally agreed that there had been higher profile policing in the village recently, and that anti social behaviour had reduced. This was in no small measure due the fact that we are in the middle of a three week targeted exercise by police in our sector. Concentrating on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings between 6.30pm - 11.30pm, marked and unmarked police vehicles are patrolling the area. Potential troublemakers are spoken to and details taken, and ringleaders identified. Anti social behaviour orders could follow, and we understand that letters have been sent to at least three youths already. While the short term aim is simply to disperse the groups, the police intend to help to organise a meeting in March of relevant agencies - including education, Council and youth workers - to try to consider how to provide alternative activities for young people in Gornal. PC Nick Gostling told the meeting that the supply of alcohol to underage youths was a prime cause of anti social behaviour in the village. It was confirmed that one local off-licence had been caught last week. Our MP Ross Cranston QC is keen to hear our concerns about alcohol misuse - click here for details.

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