YOUNG people could soon have more to keep them occupied, in the hope of stopping the trouble that has plagued parts of Harefield.
Officers from Hillingdon Youth Services, the council’s young persons’ department, met with the Harefield Wellbeing Group and the Rev Martin Davies of St Mary’s Church on Monday to discuss ideas.
No details have yet been given but the plan is likely to take the shape of a project staffed by youth services members, possibly a club or regular meeting.
Mr Davies said: “There is a real need in the village to engage young people in effective ways.
“This project has great potential.”
He said the idea was to design regular activities for young people to help tackle the anti-social behaviour which has blighted the area for some time.
A dispersal order was introduced in January last year to combat yobbish behaviour on and around the village green, which included youths shining laser pens at passing aircraft.
The order meant any young people under the age of 16 found in the designated area after 9pm could be ordered or escorted home by a police officer.
The order lapsed in March last year and has not been reintroduced, despite the urging of some residents.
The low level but high impact anti-social behaviour includes scrawling of graffiti, vandalism of local buses and youths congregating late at night and being abusive to passers by.
Windows of shops and buses have also been damaged by catapult shots.
Jean Palmer, Hillingdon Council’s director of residents’ services said: “We are in discussion with local partners, including Mr Davies, to explore how we might work together to meet the needs of young people in the village.
“A number of organisations in the village have come forward with ideas and the cabinet member has had meetings with the local MP, and will be meeting shortly with ward councillors to consider the next steps.”
nWhat would you like to see set up for the youth of the village? www.uxbridgegazette.co.uk/tellus
