I was sad to read, in last week's edition of the Borehamwood & Elstree Times, that yet another local area the Three Ways Community Centre is suffering from youth crime.

As ever, the problems are fuelled by underage drinking. With falling police numbers and approaching school holidays, the problems can only get worse.

There is no simple solution to the police recruitment problem so, in the meantime, other solutions must be found. Sadly, more rate-payers' money will need to be spent on the problem.

A petition has recently been sent to the council, requesting they make the rear service roads between Eldon Avenue and Clarendon Road secure at night, to combat crime in that locality, and I am sure gates and fences will be needed in many other areas as well, to help plug the holes left by falling police numbers.

Better security in one area will also help to release police resources, to tackle problems in other areas. Perhaps more areas might also benefit from joining the Neighbourhood Watch scheme?

Given that so many of the problems are drink-related, perhaps the council or the Government should reconsider Councillor Heywood's suggestion, of banning alcohol in public areas.

The idea of council-employed wardens to supplement police patrols might also help, if sufficient wardens can be recruited and placed in the trouble spots.

A "hang out" for the kids, in a suitable location, away from residents and under the glaze of the CCTV system, could also help by getting the kids off the streets in the evenings.

A trial scheme could be set up in one of our local halls, to evaluate the idea's effectiveness at minimal cost.Action is needed quickly the longer the problems are left, the harder they become to solve!

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