A FORMER Durham Constabulary officer has accused the police force of “neglecting their duty” when it comes to tackling anti-social behaviour in Newton Aycliffe town centre after setting out how much more officers could be doing in the fight against criminal acts.
Darran Weston served as a Durham officer for several years – patrolling the streets and getting a first-hand experience of what officers and members of the public had to deal with when it comes to criminal damage, abuse, and numerous attacks.
However, according to the former emergency service worker, “people in Newton Aycliffe are scared to go out at night” and “apprehensive that it’s fast becoming a no-go zone”.
Read more: Man charged in Aycliffe police assault that saw officer thrown down the stairs
As part of the issue, Mr Weston believes that ‘temporary dispersal orders’ and criminal behaviour orders (CBO) only go “some way” to stamping out the problem, and, in some cases, “just moves on the problem to another location”.
This, he says, is combined with the fact that Newton Aycliffe Police Station only opens from 10am until 2pm, which local yobs see as an “opportunity to create chaos.”
Mr Weston said: “Many people now believe Newton Aycliffe is a ‘no go zone’ at some points, but I witness this on almost a daily basis.
“At least 15-20 youths and several ringleaders terrorise the town centre and make people’s lives hell.
“I’m not naïve enough to think you can solve the issue overnight, but with Durham police just offering dispersal orders, I strongly believe that more could be done.
“There’s a lot that I believe they’re covering up and making the issue worse. With low availability of officers and the police station closing most of the time, youths see this as an opportunity to continue these criminal acts.”
Read more: SPECIAL REPORT: Aycliffe branded a 'no go zone' over anti-social behaviour
As well as having experience from a police point of view, Mr Weston also has a first-hand account as a member of the public after him and his partner were attacked in Newton Aycliffe in 2018.
To date, there have been no charges brought against those responsible.
He added: “When youths can run riot of this kind, it corrupts the whole area. Orders and other measures the police put in place are all well and good, but if an order states people have to stay inside between 7pm and 7am, they’ll just chaos issues outside those times.
“These groups are obnoxious, rude and confrontational and people are getting hurt. This has all gone too far.”
The comments from Mr Weston come after The Northern Echo ran a special report earlier this month that set out the issue of anti-social behaviour, which explored the thoughts of concerned residents, councillors, and police in the town.
Despite the concerns put forward of Mr Weston, Inspector Sarah Honeyman, from Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Team, has calmed fears by promising that officers will work with other agencies and the MP to tackle anti-social behaviour.
Read more: Anti-social behaviour hotspots of Newton Aycliffe revealed
She said: “Response and neighbourhood police officers are based at Newton Aycliffe Police Station, opposite the magistrates’ court, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“All of our officers are committed to making the town a safe place to live, work and visit. The neighbourhood team are well known to most residents and work closely with young people, partners and businesses to problem solve issues. Antisocial behaviour affects the whole community, and it is not solely the responsibility of the police.
“We know that much of the antisocial behaviour in Newton Aycliffe is caused by a small number of repeat offenders and that their behaviour involves criminal offences.
“The team has targeted these individuals and three Criminal Behaviour Orders have been issued since early January. These individuals have also been arrested on several occasions and we continue to target those committing crimes and causing antisocial behaviour.”
She added: “But to continue tackling antisocial behaviour effectively, we need the knowledge and support of everyone living within our communities.
“This includes the local authority, private businesses, voluntary organisations, and residents themselves – we must all work tougher as one team. We are also working with the Police and Crime Commissioner and our local MP to address frustrations within the court process.
Read more: What Durham police are doing to tackle criminality in Newton Aycliffe
“If you are experiencing antisocial behaviour, please don’t assume someone else will have called us - make the call and help us to tackle this issue.
“I appreciate that this is an emotive subject as it adversely affects residents’ quality of life, but I can assure you that Newton Aycliffe Police work tirelessly for the benefit of the local community.”
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