CRICKLADE’s leisure centre is hoping to crack down on groups of young adults who have been ‘intimidating’ visitors, thanks to a £5,000 grant for a new CCTV system.

The issue of loitering groups had got so bad outside the leisure centre that Wiltshire Police ordered a dispersal order for the area for a 48-hour period before Christmas last year.

Gary Walker, director of the leisure centre, said he felt the groups have been putting people off coming to the centre.

“We’ve always had a gathering of youths and we don’t discourage it unless they get out of hand,” he said.

“The group we’ve got now are very noisy and intimidating to our customers.

“We’ve explained it to them but they don’t stop, they don’t change the way they behave.

“We’re fearful they are reducing the number of times people come as people are feeling uncomfortable.”

Thanks to a £5,000 grant from Wiltshire Council this week, the leisure centre will now be able to install a fully operational CCTV system in and around the building.

Gary hopes this will give visitors piece of mind, knowing that if the youths attempt anything untoward, they will be face justice for their actions.

“The CCTV will provide protection in the wisdom that they’re not going to get away with it,” he explained.

The centre is currently loaning a CCTV system until the new cameras are put in place in February.

Speaking about the recurring problem in Cricklade, a spokesperson from Wiltshire Police said: “Officers have been called to an area surrounding the Cricklade Leisure Centre, on multiple occasions in the past month, with several residents reporting noise complaints and other anti-social behaviour.

“The issues had been highlighted by the local community policing team officers, working alongside Wiltshire Council.”

PC Marie Poole, local coordinator for Wiltshire North Community police team, added: “The anti-social behaviour complained about was causing unnecessary stress and concern to local residents and was simply unacceptable.

“Wiltshire Police have a good working relationship with Wiltshire Council and I was able to speak with my colleagues and proactively address the issue.”

While the £5,000 grant means the centre will be able to begin installing the new CCTV system, it is only half of the money needed.

The centre are trying to cover the costs of the other £5,000 by raising funds from generous residents.

To donate to the centre, email Gary via gary@crickladeleisure.co.uk