Police crackdown on troublemakers at Chichester Metro station

Officers have drafted in a wave of measures to target troublemakers hanging around Chichester Metro in South Shields.

The move is in response to concerns raised by residents and commuters.

Since August, patrols have been stepped up in the area and a number of young people have been spoken to. At least five people have been arrested for disorder offences.

Police are also working with Nexus ticket inspectors to clamp down on fare evaders and say they will use “all tools” available to them to target those causing a misery for law-abiding folk.

Sergeant Dave Stobbs, from the area’s neighbourhood policing team said: “We are using all the tools we have at our disposal to target those causing trouble in the area.

“In recent months we have arrested five people for disorder offences, we are monitoring CCTV footage from the area and are working with our partners within the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour team and the youth offending team to engage with young people and their families.

“Officers wear bodycams and we will show parents the behaviour of their children to make them fully aware of the situation.”

Police say, where necessary, dispersal orders will be used which can see a person banned from a marked area for up to 48 hours. If caught in the area within that time frame they risk being arrested.

Pc Graham Joyce said: “The numbers that are congregating are intimidating to customers using the metro and I don’t think this is something they realise.

“We are receiving a lot of positive feedback from people using the Metro in response to the work we are doing in the area.”

A Nexus spokesman said: “Crime on the Tyne and Wear Metro system remains low and we work closely with the police to target any problems that occur.

“Incidents of anti-social behaviour at Chichester Metro station and in the wider community are being targeted by Northumbria Police. Nexus has carried out a number of joint initiative with police officers to reassure customers using the station and to clampdown on fare evasion.

“The staffing presence at Chichester has been increased since the automatic ticket gates were installed.

“We will continue to work with officers to address issues of disorder which arise at any of our Metro stations across South Tyneside.”