People 'terrified' to go into town centre

A spate of antisocial behaviour has left people "terrified" of going into a town centre, a local councillor has said.

Consett residents have been reporting fights and businesses' back yards being used as "toilets" in the area around the town centre and the bus station.

County councillor Kathryn Rooney said elderly people felt "very intimidated" and said she was worried they would become isolated.

Reform-run Durham County Council said it took antisocial behaviour "seriously" and its cabinet would consider introducing a Public Space Protection Order in the town centre and bus station next week.

Consett Neighbourhood Inspector Andy Liddell said a man had been arrested on suspicion of three incidents of public order in Consett Bus Station last weekend and community protection warnings and notices had been issued.

Rooney said there had been "really bad" antisocial behaviour over the last couple of months, but issues got worse in the past week.

"We've seen ambulances called to the area, we've seen people with hardly any clothes on in the town centre where there's children and elderly people," the Liberal Democrat said.

"There's just numerous issues, people are terrified to come into the town centre."

Resident Scott Lydon said he was not comfortable letting his teenage son go into the bus station, adding it was a "worrying time" for people in the town.

He said he had arranged a meeting with the Police and Crime Commissioner over the issues.

"Friends have young children. They're scared, I'm scared for them," the business owner said.

"My staff, they've got children who they don't want to just walk around Consett like I used to when I was younger.

"It's really a worrying time for the people of Consett," he added.

Liddell said "much" of the antisocial behaviour in Consett and particulalry the bus station was caused by "a small number of repeat offenders" and their behaviour involved criminal offences.

Homeless people struggling with addictions are believed to have been involved.

"I think a lot of them have refused help for these addictions, which obviously there lies another problem," Rooney said.

Farser Neill, from local charity Foundation for Good, said they had engaged with more than 10 people from the group so far and some had agreed to access drug and alcohol recovery sessions at their hub.

"They know that they shouldn't be committing antisocial behaviour in the community and causing upset," Neill said.

"I think it's to do with deprivation. I believe that one of the fights was over 40p."

He said the antisocial behaviour had had a "big impact".

"I think people are, from what I'm hearing online, people are scared to come into the community and that's very sad to hear," Neill added.

Extra police patrols are being carried out in the area.

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said she would convene a summit to agree a set of actions "at the earliest opportunity".

"I share the anger, distress and frustration felt by residents. This behaviour is completely unacceptable and those responsible must face robust action," she added.

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