Takeaway blames trade on youths

Youths who continually congregate outside a Chinese restaurant are making customers feel uncomfortable and causing the business to lose trade.

That is according to a report by police to members of Great Cornard Parish Council on Tuesday night.

Pcso Andrea Campbell said groups of young people had been hanging around the area, carrying out acts of anti-social behaviour.

She added that a recreation area provided for older children needed improving to solve the problem.

Staff at The First Garden Chinese in Poplar Road have complained to police about young people gathering outside the restaurant, leaving rubbish, riding irresponsibly on scooters and picking up rubble from the nearby underpass.

“On Saturday nights, when it is really busy, they are on their scooters and it is quite dangerous,” said Pcso Campbell.

She said every call to the area had been responded to and regular patrols had been carried out, including undercover officers, using most of the Sudbury and Great Cornard Safer Neighbourhood Team’s resources.

Persistent offenders have been identified and names and addresses taken, with talks arranged with parents.

Pcso Campbell reported that the youths had said they were being forced away from the Raydon Way recreation area – which includes areas for basketball and a teen shelter – because it was poorly lit and “undesirables” had been congregating there.

Council vice-chairman Stewart Sheridan asked whether it was possible for the Applegate Mews area to have CCTV installed – even if this was on a temporary basis – to act as a deterrent to any anti-social behaviour.

Members were also in agreement that pressure should be put on Babergh District Council to make the Raydon Way site safer.

Chairman Pam White added that there had been several cases of dangerous parking in Poplar Road, which Pcso Campbell said she was aware of, saying tickets had been issued.