News

Hawkinge Community Centre boss Colin Tearle has criticised local police after he was forced to call in his own security staff to a disturbance outside the building after failing to get a reply from five police phone numbers.

The incident on Tuesday evening (7 June) involved around 30 youngsters, some were allegedly under age and drinking and smoking.

Graffiti was scrawled on the building and some of the large group reportedly climbed onto the roof.

Mr Tearle called five police telephone numbers on the Centre's list of police contacts but he failed to get any response.

Security personnel employed by the Centre were brought in to disperse the gathering.

Mr Tearle said: "This is unacceptable, where are the police when you want them they never seem to be present when youngsters gather in large numbers during the evenings?

"Unless this is brought under control both me and other local residents who have also been affected are in for a long hot summer of trouble.

"The village needs the dispersal order reinstated as a matter of urgency."

Mr Tearle said that after the incident it remained quiet outside the Centre until the weekend when the youngsters returned.

"More graffiti has been daubed on the building and on Sunday morning I was confronted with what could only be described as the remains of a party dumped outside the back of the building and community centre staff were left to clear up the debris, which included empty and smashed lager and spirit bottles.

"I later spoke with a local PCSO but was told she could not arrest anyone," said Mr Tearle.

A police spokeswomen told the Gazette there had not been any reports of the incident logged by local Police.

Hawkinge Constable PC Trevor Moody is advising people to always dial the emergency number 999 when a crime is in progress.

For all other incidents the public should use 01622 690690.

Responding to the call for a dispersal area, PC Moody has said he will be compiling a report to support the calls for a dispersal area around the Hawkinge Community Centre.

The setting up of dispersal areas need the agreement of both the Police and the Local Authority.

Chairman of the Parish Council Cllr David Callahan told the Gazette he would be raising the matter with Police bosses.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©