540 reports of anti-social behaviour in nine months

Figures made public at a meeting of the District Policing Partnership meeting on Tuesday revealled there were 168 reported incidents between April and June 2011, 199 from July to September and 173 from October to December.

Commenting on the fugures PSNI Chief Inspector Brenda Cairns said: “Neighbourhood officers continue to address anti-social behaviour, particularly in the Dervock area.

“In November they attended a question and answer session with local young people in the Community House, the youth wished to know how the police perceived them and there was lengthy discussion around anti-social behaviour and the effect it has on their community.

“Police have also provided surgeries at the Community House in Travers Place in partnership with the Community Association.

“Neighbourhood officers are also delivering a diversionary project with two groups of young people in the Dervock area, in partnership with NEELB and Cheers Youth Club.

“An Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) has been agreed with one local youth. Bann NPT have continued with their Youth Outreach programme over the winter months, bringing together young people from a number of rural villages including Rasharkin, Dunloy, Cloughmills and Balnamore with workshops on a range of topics including anti-social behaviour.

“In Ballymoney Town, the Seymour Street area continues to receive particular police attention as a recent anti-social behaviour ‘hotspot’.

“Weekend beat and mobile patrols have focussed on this area and there have been several alcohol seizures in the vicinity of the Railway Station.

“At a recent forum the Castle Community representatives stated that matters have greatly improved and thanked police for the work to address this behaviour.”