PETERSFIELD Town Council will look into the possibility of passing a bye-law to stop unruly behaviour by youths at the town's skate ramp in Love Lane which has been causing a nuisance to residents in the area.
Dr Brian Keefe has been approached by a number of residents who have made complaints about loud and abusive language coming from youths which has caused a disturbance late at night.
And members of the grounds committee have agreed to investigate the possibility of passing a bye-law to give police more power to stop the problem.
At the meeting last Thursday Dr Keefe told councillors that residents were concerned about the situation, which has also had an impact on the Petersfield Football Club, as acts of vandalism have been carried out on the site.
Dr Keefe said: "They are not against the activities at the skate ramp but they have been disturbed by noise in the early hours of the morning.
"People have heard foul and abusive language and have found bottles which have been thrown around in the skate ramp area."
He added: "We do have restrictions on that area but it is only against dogs and people playing golf.
"The town council are the owners of the land, therefore I believe we should do something about this situation. I think we should show our sympathy for the residents and investigate the problem."
Members of the Petersfield Football Club met police and town councillors earlier this year to discuss the situation.
Since then secretary Mark Nicol says increased police patrols have helped the situation.
But Dr Keefe suggested that a bye-law to prevent disruptive behaviour at the Love Lane skate ramp would give police more powers.
Town clerk Barbara Macken said: "It is an option that is open to us and it can be done. It would be quite a lengthy process and the problem would be policing it."
Chairman of the grounds committee Dr Phillip Humphries said: "If we had a bye-law in place it would give police something to use."
Members of the committee agreed to investigate the process of passing a bye-law and will discuss it at a future meeting.
Community safety officer inspector Steve Sargent said police will consider any proposals to help the situation but questioned whether a bye-law would be the answer.
He said: "We are happy to look at any measures that may improve behaviour problems at the skate ramp in Petersfield.
"Although I am not confident that a bye-law is the right approach, lighting at the site is something which we believe could improve the situation.
"This was included in the original design of the ramp.
"I think this would make supervising the area a lot easier and it would mean that it would be less of a hiding place for youths."