Oundle police are set to tackle loutish and antisocial behaviour in Oundle as their primary objective, after surveys illustrated an overwhelming desire for this issue to be tackled. However, there is far more to solving this problem than a presence on the streets, and this in itself can even have a negative impact

Sergeant Pete Chisholm of Oundle Police Station, outlines many approaches to the problem of antisocial behaviour. The most straight-forward involves police presence. “We have mapped a ‘red route’ along which we will patrol, using recorded crime statistics to ensure we are present where we are needed.”

However, he knows this is far from the whole answer. “We have to work through counsellors, through schools and wherever else we can to tackle the roots of loutish behaviour…some of these young people have been drinking cheap alcohol in excess every weekend. It’s the booze culture right here in Oundle.”

Sgt. Chisholm does not excuse parents for these problems, either. “More commonly they have no idea what their son or daughter does of a Friday night; some even provide their children with alcohol before they go out. But it’s not surprising that all of the parents who are shown video evidence disclosing their sons or daughters activities from CCTV are completely stunned.”

The “mosquito” is a device also mentioned frequently in mainstream media. It emits a loud, high-pitched noise to dispel young people, who are the only ones able to hear it. It will not be implemented by the police in this area. “We can move the young people from an area, but where will they go then? It is far better to know where they are, than to leave it to guesswork. Besides, younger children are equally affected by the noise.”

Oundle Police Station supports 44 villages around Oundle; a total area of 100 square miles. Rural burglary is on the rise, owing mostly to an increasingly false sense of security in isolated hamlets and settlements, and in spite of Neighbourhood Watch programs which help residents reduce the chances of burglary in a community.

Therefore, it is hardly surprising that much police time is dedicated to dealing with these problems. Indeed, raising awareness of burglary has been a priority for the police officers. It is understandable that mainstream media supports the idea of a greater police presence on the streets and less government bureaucracy, and that an investment in time policing antisocial behaviour is superseded by prevention of more major crimes such as burglary.