Investigations are underway after newly-refurbished toilets in Onchan Park were damaged on Monday 5th April 2021 between 17:00 and 20:00.
Chairman of the Authority, Mr Derek Creillin said "Onchan Park is a popular place for the public to visit and enjoy.”
“It’s disappointing damage has been caused to the newly-refurbished toilets that have been paid for by the ratepayers of Onchan as part of a rolling programme within the park.” said Mr Crellin.
The Vice-Chairman, Mr Martin Macfarlane commented “Parental responsibility is one of the biggest elements which can help to tackle anti-social behaviour within the community. That means a parent taking an active interest in where their child is going on say, a Friday or Saturday evening and what time they are coming home. If a situation happens it is about working together with the School or with the Police to challenge behaviours for more positive outcomes in the future.”
“It is important to recognise that usually a minority of young people are involved when we talk about anti-social behaviour, and we must remember that there are a lot of amazing young people in Onchan and indeed around the Island.” said Mr Macfarlane.
The Authority has a good working relationship with the Isle of Man Constabulary, local Schools and other agencies in a multi-agency approach to deter and investigate anti-social behaviour within the Village.
Notable points as a result of working together in a multi-agency approach in recent times:
· Police presence within the Village has increased including foot patrols and visits to youth facilities where Officers have been positively engaging with young people;
· Development of a space within the Commissioners’ Office at Hawthorn Villa for Police Officers to use in their duties (due to be completed during April 2021);
· Several improvements to lighting and CCTV within Onchan Park as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour;
· Further improvements to lighting and CCTV at identified hotspots within the Village are scheduled to take place in the current financial year.
The Authority would not advise members of the public to challenge young people directly, but to encourage members of the public to report anti-social behaviour. Any reports would gather intelligence of what days, times and areas where anti-social behaviour is happening, and the type of behaviour being reported.
If you wish to report anti-social behaviour, you may contact the Isle of Man Constabulary on 631212 for non-emergency matters. In an emergency dial 999.
Press Release Ends: Words 400 Copy of the article available at: Anti-Social Behaviour Press Release