Lightwater residents accuse police of inaction

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 4th Jul 2006

Cllr Patricia Pinder and Parliamentary Spokesperson Cllr Duncan Clark have raised Lightwater residents concerns over increased antisocial behaviour.

Lightwater Liberal Democrats have raised residents concerns regarding increased antisocial behaviour in the village and a perceived failure by the police to respond adequately.

Lightwater residents have contacted Cllr Patricia Pinder to complain about a number of incidents involving gangs of youths, complaining that they have been kept awake until the early hours of the morning several times a week by troublemakers taking drugs, causing vandalism and racing their motorbikes. The residents have also claimed that the police have not responded to their calls.

At a recent meeting of Windlesham Parish Council, Cllr Patricia Pinder voiced the concerns of those residents who had contacted her. She stated that she had also complained to the police, but had received only one reply despite reporting several different incidents on behalf of disgruntled residents.

Cllr Pinder said after the meeting, "Some residents have told me that they have actually given up ringing the police because nothing has happened after they have reported an incident."

Parliamentary Spokesperson Cllr Duncan Clark commented "There is some concern that the delay in enforcing the Section 30 dispersal order which were agreed in January this year has allowed antisocial behaviour to continue unchecked."

"This order would cover Guildford Road, All Saints Road, Broadway Road, Ambleside Road, Junction Road, Grasmere Road and Macdonald Road, and would allow the police to clear groups and take under-16s home after 9pm if they are out unsupervised in public places."

"We hope that the Police will now have justified grounds to use these powers to protect the quiet enjoyment of residents".