'Drop in bad behaviour' (From Gazette Series)

'Drop in bad behaviour'

A KEY officer from Dursley police station came under fire at Dursley Town Council - but highlighted the improved situation in the town at weekends as a sign that they were doing their jobs properly.

Sgt Neil Gibbs attended Tuesday evening's meeting to stand in for community beat officer PC Tracey Brian.

However, instead of explaining the role of the beat officers, Sgt Gibbs faced a barrage of criticism from some councillors.

Cllr Brian Marsh highlighted the fact that during the latest noisy disturbance caused by travellers living in the woods around the town, which happened at the weekend, it took police more than two hours to respond.

He said: "A report was made to the police at 10.03pm and it took until half past twelve for anyone to arrive. That is just not on."

But Sgt Gibbs explained that the police have little power to wield with this kind of problem and as they had only received one call about it, it was not a high priority issue.

He said: "I'm afraid the reality is noise is a low grade call - we have no powers in relation to noise.

"With everything else that happens on a Friday and Saturday night, we simply can't put that many officers together for it - especially if we only receive one call."

Cllr Marsh said that he would repeatedly call the police in future to make sure they were aware of the importance of such a situation.

Sgt Gibbs did, however, find his audience more accommodating as he explained how the police have improved matters at weekends.

He added: "Operation Silent Night means we have a greater number of staff available to patrol the centre of Dursley.

"We have been as proactive as we can and it has seen a quietening down of those nights - I think we have done very well in relation to public order."

The operation continues to run and the police will also be opposing an application by Capone's nightclub to extend its opening hours in a bid to prevent a return to the trouble of the past.

There was also positive news on the problem of under age drinking in the town.

Although the issue has not gone away, it appears that the threat of an anti-social behavioural order (ASBO) has been a useful tool for the police to utilise.

Sgt Gibbs said: "Kids do not want an ASBO so they have started to toe the line."