A SPECIAL meeting was held at St Peter's Church in Petersfield this week in a bid to stop rowdy behaviour, football and cycling in the churchyard.

Vicar Giles Harris-Evans said there were two main problems being experienced in the churchyard.

"The first is that large numbers of schoolchildren pass through the churchyard both on their way to school and on their way home, and the behaviour of some is not always appropriate. The second is that there have been difficulties with a few of those using the licensed premises around the Square, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings," he said.

Mr Harris-Evans said members of the church felt that the churchyard was a resource for the town. "It is a very attractive area and we would want to encourage people to use it in an appropriate fashion. However, it must be remembered that it is also the last resting place for many Petersfield people, both for the hundreds who were buried there in past times, and nowadays for those whose ashes are placed in the Garden of Remembrance. It is a sacred place and should be treated as such. Activities such as playing football, cycling and general rowdy behaviour are not acceptable."

He said representatives from St Peter's Church, local residents, the police and The Petersfield School attended the meeting earlier this week.

Among the actions agreed were that the police would, when possible, increase their presence in the churchyard, especially between 3-15 pm and 4-30 pm.

The church is also investigating the possibility of installing limited closed circuit television.

Church members are also to ask the town council to look at the possibility of putting up permanent notice boards, and Petersfield school pupils are to be made aware of the problems in the churchyard and the behaviour expected by those using the area.

"There is no wish to ban students from the churchyard," said Mr Harris-Evans. "Banning is the ultimate sanction."

The police are also to speak to the landlords of the pubs around the Square highlighting problems with glasses, noise and other inappropriate behaviour.