Wyre partnership group looking at new ways to tackle youth nuisance issues - including Commando sessions

Antisocial behaviour incidents in Wyre - including Fleetwood, Cleveleys and Poulton - have led to new ideas about to tackle the problem.

In recent years there have been on-going incidents of vandalism and harassment by groups of young people across the different communities of the borough. Last year Fleetwood town centre was identified as one of the main anti-social beahviour hot spots on the Fylde coast.

However, a string of innovative ways are being implemented in Wyre to tackle the problem.

One scheme involves the work of Marine Commandos in steering young people away from trouble.

Conversely. another project, Operation Centurion, sees the police targeting ASB hot spots in Fleetwood with visible patrols, contacting vulnerable people and loclal businesses affected by these issues.

These are part of broader county-wide initative, the Lancashire Serious Violence and Community Safety Board , set up through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office to oversee the role of community safety partnerships in reducing violence.

And Wyre Council, a member of the Wyre Community Safety Partnership along with the Fire and Rescue service, Probation service, Health teams, Police and Lancashire County Council, has taken on the role of coordinator.

Coun Roger Berry, Neighbourhood Services and Community Safety Portfolio Holder, who has compiled a report for full council, said: "I observed one of the patrols which included making contact with vulnerable persons, checking out local businesses that had experienced ASB issues, visiting known hot spot areas and finally discussing with neighbourhood policing officers the work they put into diverting young people from ASB and crime.

"This includes the Commando Intervention Scheme run by former Royal Marine Commandos.

"This scheme offers a wide range of outdoor activities and education over a five week period to build up young person’s confidence resilience and respect in the hope that it will increase their chances of success and prevent them from falling into ASB and criminality. "

 In future each Community Safety Partnership will be required to report to the board, on how they are contributing towards violence reduction.