TEENAGERS who have held raucous parties in Wapley Bushes will be invited to a meeting with youth workers and the police.

Troublesome school leavers are thought to be responsible for setting fire to trees in the woods, leaving smashed alcohol bottles and litter, and acting anti-socially in the nature reserve.

But instead of moving large groups of youngsters away from the area, police are keen to offer the teens something to do.

Beat manager PC Giles Sutton said: "If we just moved them on they will head straight to Abbotswood Shopping Centre or Yate Common and cause trouble there.

"Instead we want to listen to what they want, try to give them what they want and deal with their behavioural problems.

"We are hoping to target the problems over the summer break."

A further meeting between police, South Gloucestershire Council’s youth services team and Dodington Parish Council will be held on August 3.

It is hoped funding will then be agreed to hold a pizza and cola evening at Shire Way Community Centre, where young people will be invited to share their thoughts on facilities for teenagers in the area.

"We want to engage with the kids," said PC Sutton. "Hopefully in the long term that will involve giving them a decent play area, probably in Kelston Close."

The parish council has reported numerous calls about the problems in Wapley Bushes from concerned residents every weekend. There have also been incidents of quad bikes being ridden through the bushes and a brick barbecue was vandalised. Dodington parish councillor Mandy Sainsbury said: "Many people living nearby tend to suffer in silence and then go out and clear up the next morning but they shouldn’t have to.

"It is quite a problem every weekend at this time of year."