Officers to patrol area over yob fears

Police are patrolling a Shrewsbury footpath after fears were raised about youths drinking and causing anti-social behaviour.

Drug paraphernalia is also understood to have been discovered along a path which runs alongside New Park Road from Castlefields to the play area in St Michael’s Street.

Residents in the area are being urged to be vigilant, not confront the youths themselves and to report anything suspicious to police.

Police said they were aware of concerns and patrols were being carried out in the area.

Andrew Wagner, borough councillor for Castlefields, said youths used to hang around shops in the area, but the issue had moved to the pathway after lighting was put up along it to enable people to walk their dogs.

He said: “Now because there’s lights, there’s gangs of youths hanging around there and causing anti-social behaviour on the pathway.

“They’re shouting, drinking and drug paraphernalia has been found. The local community support officer and police officers have been contacted and they will patrol that little bit and keep their eye on the path there.”

Residents are being asked to be vigilant and inform the police.