A DRINKING den created by teenagers in the grounds of a South Shields church is to be targeted by police.
Residents have raised concerns over young people gathering every weekend at bushes in the cemetery of St Simon's Church in Wenlock Road.
The issue was raised during a meeting of the Partners and Communities Together group, held last week and atten
ded by police, South Tyneside Council's Community Wardens and Labour Councillor for Simonside and Rekendyke Joan Meeks.
One woman, who did not want to be identified, said: "Things did start to quieten down a few months ago but it seems they are coming back."
A number of operations are under way in the area including officers visiting off-licences every Friday night to warn traders they could lose their licence if they are caught selling booze to youngsters.
The estate is also monitored by officers on patrol as part of Operation Safestop, an initiative between South Tyneside Area Command and the Youth Offending Service, which aims to protect youngsters from the risk of being a victim of crime or from offending by targeting disorder hotspots to identify youngsters who are at such risk.
However, police and community wardens say test purchases of shops in the area have come back negative and they believe adults are buying the booze for the youngsters.
Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton, said: "PACT meetings are a great platform for residents to raise any policing concerns they may have about the area in which they live.
"An issue of youths drinking in the grounds of the church has been raised and it is an issue which, together with our partners and South Tyneside Council Community Wardens, we will address."
No one was available for comment from St Simon's Church.
