For the last couple of weeks and particularly during this mini-heatwave any of you that have visited Hardway Memorial Green and it's surrounding areas know that the youth of Gosport have descended to the area en-mass. Whilst many are just hanging out and trying to have fun there are a number of young people engaged in serious antisocial behaviour.
Unlike some previous years, we have seen a police presence in response to calls made to Hampshire Police and the Borough ‘youth workers’ have also been seen. Hampshire Fire have been in attendance when one group thought it would be entertaining to set things alight.
Underage drinking has been witnessed and when the groups have finally departed evidence of drug related paraphernalia has been left behind, together with clothing, towels and an assortment of food and drink waste including broken bottles which make the area dangerous for pets and wildlife.
Each evening the green and slipway, Priory Road and Green Lane is covered in litter, the majority of this is cleared up daily by volunteers from Gosport Wombles who have made it their mission to do something positive in our community cleaning up after others.
There are within the groups congregating a number of youths whose only purpose seems to be to intimidate, abuse, cause damage and distress to our community including other young people.
Such are the numbers involved the PSPO has proved ineffective this year in solving the problem and we awill be providing authorities with evidence and information to seek more effective action such as Section 35 Dispersal which was successfully used in this area in 2017.
Section 35 of the Antisocial Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014, can provide Hampshire Police with temporary additional powers to require people to leave a designated area within Hardway if they are suspected of being involved in, or likely to become involved in, incidents of antisocial behaviour and this will be the next action sought - Anyone who witnessed some of the scenes with youths and Police Officers late yesterday afternoon will know it has reached the point where serious action is needed to deal with the yobs intimidating our community.
Whilst we have had many reports that it is almost impossible to get through on the 101 number we urge you to keep reporting and you can also EMAIL details/photos of any incidents in this area to HardwayRAG and we will submit to the relevant authorities on behalf of individuals.
Please be mindful of your own safety at all times, particularly if filming an incident or taking photos.