Reports of anti-social behaviour in Barrow town centre have decreased in number following a ‘surge’, the council has said.
A council committee is to be told that a rise in anti-social behaviour ‘in recent months’ had seen a number of empty shops damaged.
However, the council says that it took action and that police have confirmed reports of anti-social behaviour have reduced.
The information was revealed in a report produced ahead of a meeting of the borough council’s overview and scrutiny committee taking place on Thursday, July 7.
In the report, Caroline Wagstaff, the council’s deputy director of people and place, says anti-social behaviour contracts – ‘the first stage in formal action’ – were served on identified individuals.
“The council’s approach is to initially engage with individuals involved in anti-social behaviour to educate them on the impact of their behaviour,” says Ms Wagstaff.
“If there is no improvement and anti-social behaviour persists, legal action will be taken.
“Formal interviews have taken place with parents of the individuals, giving advice on the next stage of legal action and the implications of this action.”
She says police have ‘confirmed reports of anti-social behaviour have reduced’.
Among the sites to be targeted by vandals are the former WHSmiths and Debenhams stores in Portland Walk.
Pictures published in May showed smashed glass at the front of the buildings.
Colin Garnett, manager of Barrow Business Improvement District, said at the time: “I think it’s disgusting. These people are targeting their own communities.
“We’re having to put up with mindless vandalism. It’s appalling.
“We need to stop youths causing havoc in the town centre.”
Days later, a number of other businesses had windows smashed over a weekend as anti-social behaviour again ripped through the heart of Barrow.
Ms Wagstaff says in her report that the council’s safe and strong communities team is working with partners in the third sector ‘for proactive removal of offensive graffiti as a priority’.
She says the council is looking at mobile CCTV cameras that have been ‘successfully used in Carlisle for tackling anti-social behaviour in communities’.
