COUNCILLORS and police are calling a joint community meeting in an effort to tackle worrying increases in anti-social behaviour in Ilkley, after officers were twice called to incidents outside town stores.

Officers were alerted to a report of a disturbance outside Leeds Road supermarket Booths on Friday evening.

West Yorkshire Police say they were called amid concerns about items being stolen from the store, and officers found a "large group" had gathered around the Leeds Road supermarket when they arrived.

The group was dispersed, with one member dealt with for theft. Police said the action was part of an ongoing anti-social behaviour operation, and enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

It follows another recent incident in which Keighley Area officers were called to the My Local supermarket in Bolton Bridge Road, again to a report of anti-social behaviour. A number of youths were detained in this incident, and police said a quantity of alcohol was seized.

Officers are already conducting operations to combat anti-social behaviour in the town, following complaints about vandalism and underage drinking in the Riverside Gardens, where a young child was recently injured by a razorblade left taped onto the handlebar of a playground ride.

Ward councillor, Anne Hawkesworth, says the aim of the planned meeting is to address the wider issues, including looking at what activities are provided for young people in the area, and is encouraging them to also get involved in the discussions.

A concerned father recently told Ilkley Parish Council he feared authorities are being heavy-handed towards teenagers. He told how his daughter had been moved on from outside the Tesco supermarket, and a girl waiting in the park for her mother had been challenged by officers.

Police said at the time there had been a complaint from Tesco about groups of youths gathering outside the store, trying to persuade shoppers to buy alcohol for them.

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "It is not just a matter of what can the community do for the young. It is what can the young do for themselves and their the community.

"This isn't just for the few disruptive ones known by the police. It is about engaging with the general community."

A date for the meeting has yet to be set.

However, Cllr Hawkesworth is also urging people to attend a community engagement day being hosted by opticians Specsavers at The Moors shopping centre on July 7.

The event, which will bring together community and voluntary organisations, emergency services and service providers, aims to raise public awareness of all the services available to the community of Ilkley. The event runs from 10am to 2pm.

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