Dear Resident

Reports about ASB and cannabis use in Ridlins Park have drastically reduced following action by local Neighbourhood Officers to tackle the problem.

In the past few months numerous complaints had been received by the officers who cover Ridlins, that the park was being used by young people who were behaving in an unsocial manner and were smoking cannabis at the location.

Local residents complained that they did not feel like they could enjoy this community facility as a result and were therefore avoiding the area.

PC Lukas Haase, who is the local officer for the area, started carrying out targeted patrols and also liaised with the council regarding improvements that could be made to the area – including clearance of rubbish and removal of discarded household items.

Anyone caught using the park in an anti-social manner was spoken to and numerous searches were carried out. A 23 year old man from Stevenage was arrested for drugs offences and various quantities of cannabis have been seized.

“Over the last few months, reports of anti-social behaviour have reduced, and we received no new complaints in December,” said PC Haase.

“Community facilities are here for everyone to enjoy and when the actions of some people are criminal or have a detrimental effect on others, we need to take action. ASB is a policing priority for local neighbourhood officers, and I would like to thank everyone who reported this behaviour to us and would encourage you to keep doing so.”