POLICE have vowed to tackle youngsters engaging in ‘daily’ antisocial behaviour in Grimethorpe.
The problem led Sergeant David Baines, who heads up the Royston-based neighbourhood team which is in charge of policing in Grimethorpe, to name the issue officers’ top priority given the scale of incidents that have occurred.
According to locals, library at the Acorn Centre, the village’s Asda store and nearby Playdays Nursery have all been affected by teenagers causing criminal damage, starting fires and hurling abuse at staff when confronted at the three locations.
Natalie Heild, manager at Playdays, on Elizabeth Street, told the Chronicle the issues have led some parents to question leaving their kids at the venue.
“I can understand their concerns but it is important to stress that nothing has actually happened inside the nursery as it’s completely safe and secure,” she said.
“The youngsters responsible have damaged outdoor flooring in the past and recently stole our CCTV cameras. Why is anyone’s guess, but we’re all fed up of being on the receiving end.”
Asda, which was a policing priority last year due to yobs congregating near its entrance, was forced into switching off its free wi-fi to try reduce the number of youngsters hanging around.
A spokesman said: “The store has employed a security guard to watch over the entrance and he is now in place. It’s a 40-hour per week contract and the working hours have been arranged around hotspot times.
“It has quietened down recently but there was an incident in which a member of staff was verbally abused when they confronted a gang outside.
“This led us to closing the store early.”
The Acorn Centre, which houses the village’s library, has dished out banning orders to youngsters caught engaging in antisocial behaviour.
“We are open for children to come in, read and access IT facilities,” a spokesman from the library added. “Recently we’ve had them coming in after school, which we encourage, but some have become abusive.
“Police are working with us, Playdays and Asda to address the issues.”
An update on the police campaign will be given on April 11.
