Action on Stourbridge car park yobs welcomed

Shoppers using the Ryemarket car park have complained about gangs of teenagers and skateboarders.

Windows have been smashed and walls daubed with graffiti by the yobs. Damage has also been caused to the roof of the car park.

Dudley Council is now looking to step up security to tackle the on-going problems.

It comes as police continue with plans to introduce a Public Space Protection Plan, which would give officers greater powers for dealing with troublemakers and nuisance behaviour.

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, who represents the Wollaston and Stourbridge Town ward, spoke of his disgust.

He said: "They seem to see the car park as a place to congregate.

"They are just mindless idiots causing trouble.

"I went there myself to have a look around and it is just an absolute mess. There are trolleys and all sorts of other debris - it's disgusting.

"It is just an added pressure on the council, police and other services.

"We hope that the Public Space Protection Plan will at least give the authorities more power in tackling them.

"We don't want them to move on elsewhere - but we need to put a stop to what is happening on the Ryemarket.

"We will continue to monitor the situation carefully, but one thing for sure is that we do not want to hang on any longer to only let the situation get worse.

"We need to tidy the car park up and use that as an incentive to get people back shopping there. No doubt businesses would welcome that too."

Earlier on in the month, yobs caused damage to the roof of the car park resulting in police giving two warning letters to youths after investigations were carried out.

Under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act's Public Space Protection Order anyone caught flouting the rules could face a £100 fine or risk being taken to court.

Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, also supports the increased security measures.

She said: "We are aware of the latest anti-social behaviour in the car park and would remind people not to use the car park for anything other than its intended purpose."

Kelley Dyas, centre manager of The Ryemarket said: "We are working closely with the police on the issues relating to the car park."