POLICE have issued assurances about their determination to crack down on antisocial behaviour which is continuing to plague a community.

North Yorkshire Police said the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) in place in Colburn since February has enabled officers to tackle incidents on numerous occasions. 

The force was responding to claims made at a meeting of Richmondshire District Council’s corporate board, where councillors questioned whether there were sufficient officers available to deal with the incidents.

In the nine months before the order there were more than 200 reports of antisocial behaviour in the Broadway shops area.

The PSPO has given police and council officers the power to move groups on, issue fines and prevent some activities.

Members told the meeting residents were confused as to who they should be reporting incidents and the PSPO had been undermined by police not always responding immediately to reports.  

Colburn councillor Angie Dale said the area continued to suffer antisocial behaviour.

She said: “When you phone the police and antisocial behaviour is occurring there isn’t officers on the ground to go and deal with issues. The message that is out there is very mixed.

“It’s all right putting something in place, but if it’s then not being actioned it’s pointless. The PSPO needs looking at with regards to the police.”

Mayor of Colburn, Councillor Helen Grant added: “The police won’t deal with it because they say the PSPO belongs to the council. It’s a mess.”

Following the meeting, Inspector Mark Gee said: “The local Neighbourhood Policing Team is dedicated to tackling local issues in the Colburn area and we encourage members of the public to report any incidents to us.

“I would like to reassure the local community that although there may be times when there is no visible resource, we make every effort to deal with all incidents as quickly and effectively as possible.”