GROUPS of yobs have been causing havoc in Longtown according to the local council.

The issues were been bought up in an online Arthuret Parish Council meeting earlier this month.

It follows a statement from Longtown Fire Station over the summer warning youngsters not to play in the drill tower, saying that if one of them fell it would be “fatal”.

At the meeting Karen Johnson, parish clerk, gave an update to councillors.

She said: “There have been anti social behaviour issues reported in Longtown, particularly around Lochinvar Close.

“The PCSO has visited some parents up there.

“There was a fire started on the field next to the play area and also there is damage to the play area.

“There is lots of concerns about two groups of youths causing quite a lot of issues around the close, the PSCO is aware of that.”

The Cumberland News contacted Cumbria Constabulary for a comment but did not receive one before the newspaper went to print.

It follows the July warning from Longtown Fire Station, with firefighters warning: “Please remind youngsters that the fire station drill tower is potentially very dangerous.

“It contains open drops and fixed ladders designed to assist us with the dangers of height rescues. “It is not an environment suitable for play and word has come to us that it has been attracting some of the town’s youth. It is secured at all times as a fall from the upper reaches of the tower would most likely be fatal. If you see children in the ask them to leave and if they don’t call the authorities.”

At the same meeting Val Tarbitt, county and city councillor for the area, gave an update on others issues.

They included problems over an overflowing bin at a home at the corner of Burn Street and Swan Street.

She said: “The bin there always has mountains of rubbish pouring out of it, everyday there are mountains of rubbish pouring out of plastic bags on to the street.”