Dobbins plea for increased parental support over anti-social behaviour

SDLP Councillor Angela Dobbins has called on parents to support the local residents in the area by speaking to their children about the impacts of their disruptive behaviour.

She was speaking following police reports of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in the Culmore area.

The PSNi revealed that they found 200 youths in a field, ranging in age from as young as 11 to 19 years old at Culmore Point on Friday evening.

Police said the gatherings like this were intimidating for residents and but more importantly there were “young girls and boys being fed drink by older teens”.

There were also concerns raised about “drunk teens messing so close to the water”.

Said Cllr Dobbins: “I have reported this ongoing anti-social behaviour to the Community Safety Wardens.

“I am now urging parents to address the distress their childre are causing to others, especially to the elderly and vulnerable residents in our community.

“This behaviour is totally unacceptable and could have dire consequence for these young people’s futures.

“It is important that they understand the severity of having a criminal record and the detrimental effect it will have on any future education or employment opportunities.

“The PSNI have ensured me that they will increase their patrols of the area after a large quantity of alcohol was confiscated from a crowd of around 200 young people.

“I have also been informed by residents, that Barleyfields building site is being used as a playing field and a gathering point for young people as young as ten who are putting their lives in danger by entering unfinished houses and climbing on scaffolding.

“I will be informing the developer and the planniing department of these incidents and requesting that this site be secured as a matter of urgency,” she added.

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