Officers urging parents to work with police to tackle ASB at former army camp in South Tyneside
Officers are urging parents to work with them to keep youngsters safe by helping tackle anti-social behaviour at a former army camp in South Tyneside.
The message follows a number of reports of large gatherings at the disused site which is located on the outskirts of East Boldon.
While the camp is not currently in use, it remains privately owned – meaning that anyone found on the land is trespassing.
Officers have been called to the site 25 times over the last 12 months following reports that young people have been involved in drinking, including one occasion where a teenage boy was found unconscious behind a derelict bunker.
Northumbria Police will continue to work with partners, including South Tyneside Council and Tyne and Wear Fire & Rescue Service to crackdown on the spate.
This will see increased police patrols and sharing of intelligence.
Officers are now also asking parents and carers to talk to children about where they are heading and explain the dangers associated with visiting the site.
Sergeant Lee Meadows of Northumbria Police said: “We have attended various incidents in recent months involving anti-social behaviour at the former army camp – predominantly involving young people gathering with friends and drinking alcohol on the land.
“We recognise that we are talking about a minority of young people who are involved, but I would ask parents and carers to work with us as we tackle anti-social behaviour and speak to children about where they are heading, what they are doing and the potential consequences of getting mixed up in this type of activity.
“Ultimately, as we move into the summer months, we need your support to tackle anti-social behaviour at the camp and to help ensure that young people in the community are safe.
“I’d also like to remind anyone considering a visit to the site that it is private land and trespassing is a criminal offence.
“The land itself houses multiple buildings that, over the years, have deteriorated significantly and are in an extremely poor state of repair.
“Therefore, this also poses a great safety risk to those who decide to trespass with lots of glass, bricks and rubble on the land.
“We know that those who live near the camp have concerns and patrol activity will continue in the area. However, we would also ask members of the public to continue to be our eyes and ears on the ground and report any intelligence to police or the most appropriate agency.”
If you see anything suspicious in your community, always report it to police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on our website or by calling 101. In an emergency, or if a crime is taking place, always ring 999.