Richmond News
Drunken riverside behaviour causes concern
9:23am Friday 27th January 2012
A number of concerned people have spoken out about the drunken behaviour of teenagers along Twickenham embankment.
Youths have been spotted at the old pool site drinking alcohol with older men and acting in a disorderly manner, which has provoked residents to alert Richmond Council and Twickenham police.
Eel Pie Island resident Max Kersham said residents had taken to locking the gates themselves at night, after a council worker told him there were no resources to do so, although the council said that was not the case.
He said: “The worry is that if antisocial and underage drinking is not dealt with and nipped in the bud now, then things will get much worse in spring and summer when more people and youngsters flock to the embankment during the day and at night.
“Greater police visibility would help to resolve the issue I’m sure as it would send a message to anyone hanging around the area and carrying out antisocial behaviour.”
Richmond’s acting chief inspector of safer neighbourhoods, Hannah Wheeler, said: “Officers are aware of these incidents.
“We appreciate the importance of tackling this issue, not only to decrease disruption to residents but also to help ensure the safety of those involved.
“As such, officers will continue to patrol the area both in plain clothes and uniform, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings which are usually the busiest nights of the week.”
Councillor Virginia Morris, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “It’s not a question of not having resources. We opened up this section of the riverside for people to enjoy at a time that suits them. It would defeat the point to lock it every evening and deny people who work all day the chance to sit there and watch the sun go down.
“Our staff will ask the police to visit the site regularly. We’ll also check the number of incidents actually reported there, it is important residents tell police about concerns so action can be taken.”
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