POLICE, youth workers and community safety officers are joining forces to tackle the problem of the "mindless and stupid" youth crime that is plaguing West Oxfordshire.

Vandalism - most of it committed by young people high on drink or drugs - accounted for more than 40 per cent of reported crime in the district last year.

Concerns over out-of-control groups of youths has also been identified as a major concern among intimidated householders.

But a new joined-up approach by police officers and those working with young people plan to tackle the problem head-on.

This week, West Oxfordshire's most senior policeman, Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden, unveiled a set of measures designed to make local neighbourhoods "nicer places to live".

He said everyone stood to benefit - both vulnerable young people and harassed householders.

The multi-pronged approach will see more high-profile policing in areas where young people gather at night; covert monitoring of rowdy behaviour; and the repeat of an exercise which has seen letters sent to parents of young people seen drinking, swearing, harassing passers-by, or damaging property.

There will also be a tougher approach to under-age drinking, with discussions planned with managers from stores to agree ways of preventing alcohol getting into the hands of teen drinkers.

Chief Inspector Evernden, area commander for West Oxfordshire, said: "One thing we are doing to reduce the fear of crime is tackling anti-social behaviour. The vast majority of it is spontaneous and alcohol-related. It is totally mindless and stupid.

"This causes people most concern. People are going to bed worried about whether their car's wing mirrors are going to be broken off again.

"There are repeat victims - people living on routes home from the town centre, with no off-road parking. And you can see a trail of destruction from places selling alcohol.

"Lots of places have imposed Dispersal Orders. We have never gone hard on that, as it just moves the problem on. It's like wrestling blancmange. But we need to stop working in isolation."

At the heart of the initiative is Witney's Base 33 youth centre, the home of the Witney Ecumenical Youth Project, and the venue chosen by Witney MP David Cameron to unveil his own vision of social responsibility, earlier this year. The centre, which also works with those excluded or at risk of exclusion from school, has been given £15,000 from the Community Safety Partnership to expand its work.

This includes sending youth workers out to meet groups of young people in the streets and parks of Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton.

It will also allow the centre to hold more social events - including its already popular alcohol-free club nights.

Youth worker Laura Jones said: "This money is important and will allow us to continue with our successful projects and set up new ones."

Bill Oddy, head of community services at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This is an important issue for this area, and we are ahead of the game."

PC Chris Skae, youth issues officer for West Oxfordshire, said: "The vast majority of young people are great. There are only a few that come to our attention, and a lot of that is down to being unaware of the consequences of what they are doing.

"We are working in partnership to make a difference, and making our neighbourhoods nicer places to live."

  • Anyone with information about vandalism should call the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.