Oswestry police target 'haven for young drinkers and vandals'
A footbridge near Oswestry that provides a haven for under-age drinkers and vandals will be targeted by more police patrols.
Officers say they will be stepping up visits to Black Bridge in Gobowen.
The pedestrian footbridge crosses the Shrewsbury to Chester rail line and police say there have even been instances of bricks being dropped on to the track below. Other anti-social behaviour includes drug taking at the bridge, part of a footpath that is accessed via the Old Chirk Road in Gobowen.
Officers from the Oswestry Rural North policing team say they have had incidents of anti-social behaviour reported to them and confirmed by evidence on and around the footbridge. "There has been one recent conviction under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971," a spokesman said.
"Local people are aware that this has been an area of anti-social behaviour over the years. This includes underage consumption of alcohol, criminal damage, litter in all forms, noise, throwing concrete blocks/bricks onto a live in use railway line, and the use of substances listed under the Misuse of Drugs Acf; namely cannabis.
"Patrol and SNT officers will be in the area are committed to ensuring the communities they are responsible can live in an environment free from this behaviour and therefore remain safe."
