TODAY sees the opening of Addingham's new drop-in centre for village youths in the village football pavilion.

After listening to pleas from village youngsters saying they had nowhere to go in the evening, parish councillors offered the pavilion as an informal youth club. The move is hoped to put an end to problems caused by youths congregating in the Memorial Hall car park.

Councillor Gordon Campbell told a recent meeting that the pavilion will be open from 7pm to 9pm and is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities for the youngsters to use.

Youngsters have been asked to keep the pavilion tidy and not to cause disturbance to village residents when they leave at night.

Ilkley police Inspector Alison Bennett told the meeting that the Keighley Community Action Team had been active in the village in order to try and solve the problems caused by under age drinking and youths from outside the area congregating in the village.

Complaints had been received about drunken youths causing damage and intimidating older people leaving the Memorial Hall late at night. Insp Bennett said that the CAT had visited the village on ten occasions, patrolling in their van and dropping officers off to patrol on foot.

"They have confiscated alcohol of ten youngsters over who they thought were buying or holding alcohol for younger people," said Insp Bennett.

She added: "The vast majority of the youngsters were courteous, extremely polite and pleasant. They had no problem with any rowdy behaviour. They were respectful and quite willing to move on when they were asked to. They said they were looking for somewhere to go in the village where they did not cause any offence."

Insp Bennett said she had asked the CAT to keep a fairly high profile presence in the village and continue to monitor the situation.

Parish council chairman Alan Jerome said it was marvellous news that the youngsters had somewhere to go in the village.

"We don't want them to be harassed by us or anyone else," said Coun Jerome.

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