Bradley Stoke Town Council has blamed under-age drinking for recent youth crime problems saying it “appears to be the main contributor towards anti-social behaviour”.

The town council also says, in its annual report, that setting fire to rubbish bins is “another popular occupation” for youths.

The skate park next to the leisure centre is also fingered as a trouble spot; the report says it has been “an enormous success” but there is “an element that abuses the facility”.

The report says that there are a minority causing some “distress to the leisure centre and its visitors”.

The council also revealed that it has CCTV footage of one youth attempting to break a double-glazed window by headbutting it.

Steps are, the town council says, being taken to crack down on youth crime with Claire Bradbrook, the police beat manager, making “a very effective start”.

On positive notes, the report says that the “town is almost complete” with the final few fields where homes can be built currently under development.

The new Night Owl bus, a weekend late-night service from the city centre, is claimed as a success in partnership with Patchway Town Council, the University of the West of England and South Gloucestershire Council.

The redevelopment of the Bailey’s Court Activity Centre is also now “moved on … to the point where it is possible to make a start”.

The full annual report is being posted to all residents ahead of the council’s annual town meeting at the Jubilee Centre on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 at 7.30pm.