A KIRKBY Stephen police officer has called for more facilities for young people to give them a focus and help tackle anti-social behaviour in the town.

Addressing Kirkby Stephen Town Council, Community Constable Roly Earl suggested the establishment of a youth council to enable both young and old of the town to get together and form a better understanding of the issues affecting both sets of residents.

PC Earl said there was a certain amount of "intolerance of youth by older people" and cited occasions where the police had been called out to tell young people to be quiet.

"That didn't happen to me when I played football in the street. We need to take a more pragmatic approach to this," he said.

Chairing the meeting Sheila Haughey confirmed that the council had received several complaints about litter, broken glass and anti-social behaviour in the cloisters and churchyard and said it was something "we have to address."

Concern was also expressed about graffiti which had appeared in the cloisters which it was estimated would cost around £200 to remove.

PC Earl confirmed that several youths had pleaded guilty to the offence and he suggested that as some form of restorative punishment, those responsible could help with the clean-up operation.

PC Earl also suggested installing removable boards in the cloisters to enable local children to create a mural, similar to one at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.

He said the children could be encouraged to paint something tasteful on the boards, which could be changed yearly.

PC Earl has also arranged for Youth Development Worker Sarah Bisson to address the next meeting of the town council to advise on potential projects such as a youth drop-in centre and a youth council.