Police chief speaks out on youth crime (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Police chief speaks out on youth crime

VANDALISM has increased in the Cotswold and Stroud police division over the last year according to the region's Chief Superintendent, Adrian Grimmitt.

Meanwhile, the problem of underage drinking has worsened steadily over the last decade, and it is not uncommon for youngsters to start drinking at 11 or 12, which leads to wider social problems.

But Chief Supt Grimmitt is keen to stress that the vast majority of youth problems are caused by a small minority of youngsters, and he also points out that the Cotswolds has one of the lowest levels of crime in the country.

He called for understanding on both sides.

"There is a perception among the adult population that youngsters gathering in groups is a problem in itself, which is not the case," he said. "Youngsters have gathered in groups for years, but occasionally, older and more vulnerable people find that intimidating. "However, young people need to understand that when they gather in groups and are noisy, that can be seen as being intimidating by vulnerable people. "On the other hand, older people have got to realise that the majority of young people are just coming together to chat. "They maybe a bit noisy, but they are completely harmless."

Youth crime, he said, needed to be kept in perspective, adding that, for example, there had been no muggings or other incidents of serious street crime in the division.

The lack of adequate leisure facilities in many communities means that boredom is often a problem.

"We have to work with other agencies, such as the youth service and town councils, to look at what facilities are available for young people," said Chief Supt Grimmitt. "But we need to talk to youngsters to find out what they want. It's no use providing facilities they won't use."

He is hoping the new Local Strategic Partnership initiative, which brings different agencies together to tackle various problems, will address the issue.

He also believes tough sentences should be handed out to youngsters who persistently offend.

Finally, parents need to take more responsibility for their children, he said. "I would ask parents to ensure that they know where their children are when they are away from home and to ensure that they are not causing a problem."

Contact Tamash Lal at the Standard at tamash@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk with your views.

Photograph: Chief Superintendent Adrian Grimmitt