UK: Free trains importing violence

[John Ashworth]

Free trains importing violence to Workington, say police

Last updated at 22:48, Thursday, 25 February 2010
First published at 19:27, Thursday, 25 February 2010
Times & Star

A FREE train service from Maryport has been importing violence to Workington, say police.

Levels of anti-social behaviour in the town have risen in recent months because of the number of youths using the train, sometimes resulting in gang fights, revealed Inspector Mark Wear.

Police have been granted a dispersal order for the bottom end of the town including Vulcan Park, and the area around the bus station and shopping precinct, which comes into effect today

Insp Wear said: “There has been a large increase in anti-social behaviour in St Michael’s ward caused by the free train from Maryport.

“In December there was quite an increase in St Michael’s and St John’s wards, and we identified it is groups of youths from outside the town. We have presented evidence to Allerdale council.”

He added that last month and earlier this month police dealt with reports of up to 80 youths congregating around the town centre, sometimes resulting in fights.

In one incident a group of 60 fought in Curwen Park and caused trouble in St Michael’s precinct on February 6. There were also reports of a large group in Church Street on January 30, and a group of 80 from Workington and Maryport in Vulcan Park who police believe went for a planned fight on January 8.

Insp Wear said: “We are working with British Transport Police who have seen an increase of incidents on these trains.”

“Incidents include youths having alcohol taken off them, offences of damage and a robbery in Vulcan Park involving some youths.”He added: “The dispersal order gives us the power to move groups of two or more people in areas where members of the public have suffered harassment, alarm or distress. We have seen from the past that, as a deterrent, the order does work.”

The order also means that if people fail to leave when asked or they return they could be arrested and prosecuted.

A previous dispersal order was in place in Vulcan Park last year from May to late September in response to community concerns.

The order was the first of its kind used in the town centre.

[Nathan Berelowitz]

And we thought we had problems!