YOUNG people in Ferndown are being called to address a meeting in a bid to quash perceptions of antisocial behaviour.

A meeting was held at the town council this week, with the police and representatives from local schools were invited to attend and discuss growing fears about antisocial behaviour.

Ferndown is a favourite spot with local youngsters and PC Jon Sweet, who attended on behalf of the police, said public perception was that antisocial behaviour there is much worse than it really is.

He said: "I'm not saying we don't have problems because obviously we do - we're no different from any other town in that respect.

"It was agreed at the meeting that behaviour here has been much better lately and we recognised we need to give young people better representation in this town because currently they don't have any say."

The outcome of the private meeting on Tuesday night was that young people who regularly go out in Ferndown and teenagers from the upper school council will be invited to a meeting in November so their opinions can be heard.

PC Sweet added: "Until now their voice hasn't been heard. Ferndown has a community centre but it is never used by young people - it's almost as though they aren't considered part of the community."

The latest meeting follows news of a community action zone being formed on the Heatherlands Estate in Ferndown in response to antisocial behaviour, vandalism, flytipping, noise and vandalism from gangs of youths.

Since August three youths have been banned from the estate having been made the subjects of antisocial behaviour orders.

The town council said it was unable to comment until the results of the meeting had been communicated to council members.

First published: Sept 30