A WAR memorial has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour. The grassy area near the memorial in Station Place, Letchworth GC, is being used by adults indulging in daytime drinking. There have also been reports of drug abuse and of school children being

A WAR memorial has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The grassy area near the memorial in Station Place, Letchworth GC, is being used by adults indulging in daytime drinking.

There have also been reports of drug abuse and of school children being supplied with alcohol by the adults.

The problem of adults drinking at the site has been going on for some months, with police and North Herts District Council removing a bench from the small enclosed area to the side of the memorial to try to remedy the situation.

Insp Geoff Camp said: "The police are aware of the complaints and are closely monitoring the behaviour of some of the adults who choose to socialise there."

Arthur Scott, honorary secretary of the Letchworth GC branch of the Royal British Legion, said if youngsters were gathering near the memorial, it was due to a lack of education.

He said: "There's not sufficient education to the young people to understand the significance of the war memorial and what it means, therefore they've got no particular respect for it."

He added: "Next month will be Remembrance month when we will be holding services around the memorial.

"The war memorial is a symbol of the sacrifice made by people's parents and grandparents and people since then.

"All people should respect that symbol.

"Anybody who defiles it is going against the sacrifices their parents and grandparents made."

Anyone with further information about anti-social behaviour at the memorial, particularly involving youngsters, is asked to ring Pc Rob Oldaker on 01438 757796.