Local Councillors Paul Brading and Jon Gilbey have invited the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Michael Lane, to meet with stakeholders in The Bay following recent fires in public toilets in Lake and Shanklin.
Mr Lane is being asked to not only discuss the fires themselves, but the serious safeguarding issues that have arisen as a result of the numerous incidents.
Councillor Brading, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, has this week said:
“Local Town and Parish councils have highlighted specific incidents and supplied evidence of anti-social behaviour and criminality involving young people. We have a shared responsibility to address these concerns”.
Cllr Gilbey from Shanklin added:
“The recent fire in Shanklin, which could have had major implications for neighbouring properties as well as those causing the fire, has cost implications for residents, and, given the evidence we have provided to the Police, safeguarding concerns.
“We are grateful that Cllr Brading is supporting the invitation to the commissioner”.
Recent discussions highlighted the safeguarding challenges faced by the Isle of Wight since the 2013 Ofsted Report which judged the child protection services on the Island as inadequate with government ministers issuing a ministerial directive.
Cllr Gilbey concluded:
“Shanklin, and The Bay, remembers several former young residents that persistently caused damage to property, and eventually went to prison or worse, and we want to do all we can to ensure current young people do not make the wrong choices in life”.
Maybe you should start by tackling the issue with drugs and the “young ” first. The lane between North road and Spring Gardens, late afternoon to nightfall is being used by up to 7 or 8 people EVERY DAY for drugs. Some of them live in North Road and damage to property is now starting. The stink and abusive behaviour is getting out of control.