Fishermen to report youths' misbehaviour (From Durham Times)

Fishermen to report youths' misbehaviour

8:30am Sunday 5th July 2009

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FISHERMEN say teenagers gathering by a river to drink and take drugs are spoiling their night-time expeditions Groups of up to 50 youngsters, aged 11 to 18, meet beneath the A1(M) bridge over the River Wear at Chester-le-Street on Friday and Saturday evenings and local anglers say they face abuse and worse when they go to fish.

The 270 members of Chester-le-Street Angling Club, who include pensioners and disabled fishermen, are being urged to call police to report incidents.

Committee member Terrance McBurnie said: “It is pretty intimidating if you are going down there to fish or are just a member of the public using the right of way.

“We rent fishing waters and there are a lot of people who walk their dogs along the riverbank but when the youngsters are there it feels like a no-go area.

“When we go down there fishing, they are starting to throw bottles and bricks in to the water. They are off their heads, really. There have been no physical attacks this year, but last year an OAP was hit by a brick.

“The police have said the youngsters are taking drugs but hide them when officers show up.

“There have been occasions when there are half-naked young girls lying flaked out in the bushes. An ambulance was there two weeks ago picking up a lassie who was absolutely out of it.’’ Mr McBurnie said the club was advising members to call the police on 0345-6060-365.

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