A small wooden bench outside Town Green Co-op featured in an hour and a quarter meeting with police at Aughton parish council last night.

Some say it’s the seat of the problem of youth disorder in and around Town Green – but others disagree.

And what should happen to the humble bench was key to rising concerns about youths behaving badly in and around Winifred Lane, the local playing fields and the upmarket Town Green Lane shops.

But simply removing it doesn’t sit easy with two county councillors from both sides of the party divide with Tory David O’Toole remonstrating that its removal is capitulating to unruly youths and that another long-term solution should be found, of which more later.

Two police officers - Insp Danny Clough and Sgt Darren Carr - were in the hot seat at last night’s meeting, leaving 90 minutes later on good terms with parish councillors, a borough councillor, both county councillors, two members of the Aughton Residents Group and a local pensioner who all had their say on an issue that’s raised the ire of ‘Champion’ and ‘Advertiser’ headline writers, local FB posters and even the local MP.

The youngsters involved are definitely not yobs - this is Aughton after all - and most of them are from in and around the parish. Sadly, none of them were represented at the meeting although county councillor Nikki Hennessy - attending as a local resident - stood up for them.

Parish clerk Irene Robert explained how Covid put the mockers on some great schemes initiated by the parish council and Edge Hill to get local students involved in a long-term strategy to engage with local youth. Christ Church, too, wants to play its part and it’s clear not everyone wants to badmouth the youngsters.

Both police officers admitted that certain aspects of the law left them frustrated but explained that they preferred to err on the side of caution re. draconian measures like dispersal orders, going on to describe how the arrest of a youngster could have massive ramifications on their young lives in the future.

But it wasn’t all a mutual appreciation society…

Said Peter Cullington from the Aughton Residents Group: “We know we live in one of the nicest parts of the borough and we want to keep it that way.” His criticism of senior officers who had visited similar meetings with little to show for it is a matter of public record and he’s far from the only one who takes police ‘mission statements’ on youth disorder with a large dose of salt…

The Co-op too seems to be stuck between a rock and a hard place as the local community store. It’s recently taken on a security guard and does its best to monitor alcohol sales and has even taken to switching off its Wi Fi.

Meanwhile, after youths were spotted playing football against Henshaw’s butchers window, a local man’s installed his own CCTV monitoring the parade of shops.

For the Police’s part, it’s increased visible policing in the area, with local officers tasked there along with officers working on 24/7 response teams.

In a statement issued to QLocal, Georgina Taylor from the HQ press office said: “Firstly, we want to ensure residents that they do not need to be alarmed by the increased Police presence.

“We are there in response to the concerns of the community.

“Officers have been conducting high visibility patrols in the afternoon, throughout the evenings and into the night for the past week and will continue to do so.

“So far, officers have arrested an individual for being drunk and disorderly, a youth referral has been issued, officers have engaged with the Co-op security and congregating youths have been dispersed and/or taken home to parents.

"Stop and search will also be conducted where necessary as well as interventions with the families of those identified as offenders.

“Chief Insp. Abbott and Insp. Clough visited Aughton on Thursday 10th June to look at how policing can be prioritised in the area.”

Added Ch. Insp. Abbott: “We take reports of Anti-Social Behaviour seriously and will do whatever we can to put a stop to it and deal with those responsible. The community of Aughton and reduction in ASB is a priority and we will continue to work with the community to drive out this behaviour.

“We are working with British Transport Police and partners to put ongoing plans in place, but we ask that the community works with us and continue to report incidents using the appropriate channels so we can prioritise where officers are deployed.

“We take ASB exceptional seriously and understand the impact this has on the community. Officers will be dealing with any incidents robustly and appropriately. Please keep an eye on our social media pages where we post updates about our whereabouts and initiatives.

“Officers will be in vehicles and walking the area – if you see them please say 'hello' and pass on any information you may have.

“It’s critical the community works with us, not against us so we can deal with this effectively. We really want to work with the community and rely on information it gives us.

“We know lockdown has been difficult for everyone but getting in trouble at a young age with the police can have repercussions later in life in terms of getting employment or even travelling abroad.”

What can you do?

Why not sign up to Lancashire Talking and take a survey to help the force put officers in the right places, at the right times, to deal with issues that matter most to the community? Visit Lancashire Talking (stayintheknow.co.uk), and to report non-emergency incidents online, click: https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/ You can also call 101 - in an emergency, always call 999.

Originally Posted by rogerblaxall

The youngsters involved are definitely not yobs - this is Aughton after all

What a ridiculous thing to say - so as an example, if a youth chucks a brick through a shop window, they can't be a 'yob' if they live in Aughton???