Drug-taking in Phillimore Recreation Ground and youths gathering in Watling Street were among the concerns raised by Radlett residents at a meeting with police last week.

Problems of vandalism and disturbances on Friday and Saturday nights, in roads like Scrubbitts Park Road, caused by people making their way home from pubs, were also highlighted.

One mother told police that she was concerned for the safety of her children playing at Phillimore Recreation Ground if users were taking hard drugs, such as heroin. Although police said there was no evidence of hard-drug use.

An off-licence worker said youths were buying alcohol from somewhere, and that he had counted up to 60 gathered in Watling Street.

He added that when he alerted police he was told there was not much they could do, but they would try to send a car later.

The employee also said that, on other occasions, he had been spat at, and his premises had suffered a broken window.

He complained that the problem of nuisance youths had got worse since the beat bobby had retired, and called for a replacement, adding: "It may only displace them, but at least they are further away from off-licences, and it will help deal with the problem."

Scrubbitts Park Road resident Mark Edney, 27, complained about vandalism, urinating against lampposts, swearing and other noise, by drunk people leaving pubs and trains.

Another Scrubbits Park Road resident said he had seen cars scratched and their aerials bent.

Hertsmere community team's Insp Dave Rankin said officers had confiscated alcohol from youths at the recreation ground, which led to to two licensees being cautioned.

Radlett beat officer PC Graham Willerton added that the number of youths meeting there had fallen, after he had spoken to them.

Insp Rankin said officer numbers were doubled on Friday and Saturday nights, but that incoming calls had to be prioritised, adding: "We do prioritise the threat to life and limb."

He also commented: "A lot of the time you do not see officers in the streets because we are more in tune with directed-patrol and intelligence-led policing."

He said residents' concerns would be taken on board, as part of this approach to targeting areas with known problems.

One resident commented that the root problem was a lack of police officers, adding: "All that we are hearing tonight stems from that problem - you are trying your best and the public wants a better service."

Aldenham West Councillor Neil Payne said CCTV could be looked at again.

He also urged the 50-or-so Radlett and Shenley residents at the Hertfordshire Police Authority meeting, at Radlett's Newberries JMI School last Wednesday, to write to Hertsmere MP James Clappison, adding: "Hertfordshire police are doing the best they can with a lack of resources, effectively inherited from the Met".

October 17, 2001 11:15

By LORNA McVICARS