A GRANDMOTHER has criticised the police for failing to take action against a group of up to 70 youths - of which her own granddaughter is one - who gather in a park to get drunk every week. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said children aged 12

A GRANDMOTHER has criticised the police for failing to take action against a group of up to 70 youths - of which her own granddaughter is one - who gather in a park to get drunk every week.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said children aged 12 to 16 collect every Friday evening in Hampson Park, Stevenage, and get drunk.

She said it has been a regular occurrence since January and that the police are frequently called but have so far failed to take any action to put a stop to it.

"I'm very worried," she said. "All these kids are underage drinking and the police are not doing anything. Apparently older kids are buying the alcohol."

The concerned woman's 14-year-old granddaughter got so drunk last week that she collapsed and had to be taken to Lister Hospital by ambulance.

"A month ago she got drunk and went missing," she said. "The police put the helicopter up and found her at 4am.

"In January she cut her own arms with glass because she was drunk. They are scarred for life. It's terrible. She's going down the wrong path.

"The young girls drink till they are sick, and they are so young to be like this. This has been going on since January, so why don't the police do something? Nothing is being done."

Steve Hague, Inspector for Stevenage Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "We are aware that young people congregate in Hampson Park, however police have only received three calls reporting anti-social behaviour in the area this year."

He said the police regularly carry out proactive patrols of the park.

"In order to build a full picture of anti-social behaviour we rely on reports from the public on when and where it is happening," he said. "I would urge people to report any incidents to police so we can act accordingly.

"A residents' meeting will be taking place at Pin Green Community Centre on March 25 between 6.30pm and 8pm and I would urge anyone who has concerns or issues they wish to raise to go along and share these with your local officers.