MP'S MOVE ON YOB BEHAVIOUR

ANTI-social behaviour in Polegate is being tackled via a 'menu of action' drawn up by police in co-operation with local MP Norman Baker.

Mr Baker spoke in Polegate on Monday after a meeting with new Wealden Chief Inspector Neil Honnor.

The meeting followed a spate of violence and vandalism which saw up to 50 young people congregating near the church.

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A shop window was smashed, a car damaged and several other cars and buildings daubed with graffiti.

Mr Baker asked to meet police after receiving a petition from local traders demanding action.

In response Ch Insp Honnor laid out plans to tackle the problem.

These include extra patrols on Friday and Saturday evenings and a possible dispersal order enabling police to break up large groups of youths.

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He said 11 youths had already been arrested for alleged graffiti offences.

Police were currently considering five of them for ASBOs and three others for Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.

In a clampdown on underage drinking two local shops have been served with fixed penalty notices for selling alcohol to teenagers and drink has been seized and poured away.

Mr Baker said: 'There is a lot of anger amongst the traders in Polegate about the level of anti-social behaviour and what is regarded as the inadequate police response to date.

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'Having now met Chief Inspector Neil Honnor I am confident that the police are now taking this matter seriously.

'I will be keeping in close touch with the police to monitor progress.

'Part of the problem, of course is that, the skateboard facility aside, there is not much for teenagers to do in Polegate in the evening.

'The Government has recently announced extra funds to provide diversionary facilities for just this group, and with the police, I will be investigating whether some of this money can be made available for Polegate.'