THE sight of young people hanging about in groups on the streets of Blandford has triggered debate as to whether their presence is causing a nuisance.

When the newly-formed Blandford Local Action Group met last week, Cllr Andrew Pemberton called for a regular disco to be provided for under-18s in the town beyond the under-18s night currently offered once a month by Vaults nightclub.

He said: "The sight of them sitting on the church steps and around the church graveyard is depressing to say the least and it is only because there's nowhere for them to go."

But outreach youth workers said it was all part of the growing up process and that youngsters choose to congregate outside and should be considered more a part of the community. And Cllr Barrie Cooper added: "As long as they are behaving themselves there is nothing wrong."

Throughout the summer Blandford residents suffered a bout of antisocial behaviour from a minority of youths and, though police have dealt with the culprits, Cllr Pemberton questioned whether new powers to disperse groups of youths should be brought in, in preparation for further nuisance behaviour.

He said: "These people congregating around the church are not trouble but they are cannon fodder if a leader comes along and stokes them up - as happened in the summer."

Insp Dave Cregg of Dorset Police was reluctant to apply for strong powers to disperse groups at this stage and added: "These measures are quite draconian. There certainly isn't a need for that. We would like to work with the Rev Tim Storey to engage with young people, talk to them and get their point of view about the use of the area."

At the end of the meeting no action was decided upon.

First published: October 4