Dog mess yobs face up to their actions

YOUTHS in Long Stratton caught littering the streets with dogs' mess have been delivered a lesson in clean living by the local safer neighbourhood team.

During several weeks in November, motorists in the village were forced to negotiate - or drive through - bags of dog excrement which had been purposely placed in the roads.

Later that month, police community support officer Liz Ely responded to a call from a member of the public and caught the two 16-year-olds red-handed. They told her the found it “rather amusing”.

The Long Stratton safer neighbourhood team issued them with a choice - to meet their local environmental officers and discuss the consequences of their actions on local residents or pay a fine for littering.

The boys chose the former and in their half-term break attended South Norfolk Council to meet with five members of the environmental crime team to discuss the importance of maintaining a clean and safe environment for all.

They were also warned the council would seek prosecution if they were caught involved in any further anti-social behaviour.

PCSO Ely said: “The boys had to discuss their actions with the team of people tasked with keeping the streets of Long Stratton clean. At these meetings, children must take responsibility for their actions and are made to understand the consequences of their anti-social behaviour.

“This case reflects the close working relationship we have with both the council and other partnership agencies in our common aim to tackle anti-social behaviour.”

To contact the Long Stratton safer neighbourhood team and for further details call 0845 456 4567 or visit www.safernorfolk.co.uk