AS the festive season moves near the north neighbourhood team is being kept extremely busy with a few people who are intent on spoiling everyone else s fun with their behaviour. We have had a significant increase in the amount of reported criminal damage

AS the festive season moves near the north neighbourhood team is being kept extremely busy with a few people who are intent on spoiling everyone else's fun with their behaviour.

We have had a significant increase in the amount of reported criminal damage to both vehicles and property in the Ely area, with the Back Hill and Station Road area suffering most.

Working together with local residents we are committed to bring the offenders to justice and extra patrols have been and will continue to be undertaken. The town centre has become increasingly busy with extra shoppers preparing for Christmas which has kept us busy with shoplifters who have taken this opportunity to mingle with larger crowds to hide their activities and provide a larger outlet for their stolen goods.

Extra patrols have been organised to tackle the alarming increase in the number of youths hanging about in the town during the late afternoon and evenings causing disturbances.

Youths as young as 13 have been found in town under the influence of alcohol, which clearly is having a major impact on their behaviour. My officers will confiscate and dispose of any alcohol found on a person under 18 years of age and will seek to prosecute by means of an £80 fine any person who has supplied alcohol, either by sale or gift, to anyone under age..

Can I appeal to parents to take appropriate action to ensure any increased amounts of alcohol intended for the Christmas celebrations at home remain under their control?

Only this Friday my officers, who were in attendance at the Littleport Street Fayre, a family event organised by the Rotary Club, stated that the evening was marred by a group of youths, who, fuelled by alcohol, managed to spoil the enjoyment of others by their drunken behaviour.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all on behalf of myself and the officers on the North Neighbourhood team a very happy, safe and crime free New Year.

Sergeant Alan Savill,

North Neighbourhood