A CARLISLE councillor has stressed that more needs to be done to combat anti-social behaviour in the city.

Jeanette Whalen, city councillor for Sandsfield and Morton West, spoke to the News & Star about how members of her family have personally been subjected to intimidation from youths in the city centre - and her fears that anti-social behaviour has increased in recent months.

Cllr Whalen, who has spoken publicly in the past about experiencing anxiety and depression, said: “Not only have I experienced anti-social behaviour, but my mother and my daughter have also been subject to it over the past few months, and I do feel like it is escalating.

"A couple of days ago, my daughter returned from university and we decided to go into town for a coffee.

"We were walking towards the Wilkinson’s store (where my mum works) when two young individuals barge past us.

"We turned round and they started name calling and shouted abuse at us which caused my daughter to speak back, leading to more verbal abuse, to the point where we had to enter Wilkinson’s quite shaken.

“We left the shop and the two youths were still outside continuing their abuse.

"One did stop and apologised but the other kept going.

“You just don’t go into town and expect such behaviour. My daughter used to work at Costa and on one occasion the staff were locked in because someone entered the café with a knife, and my daughter had to be escorted to the car.

"My mum was also at her work which had to close due to the teenagers causing chaos at the nearby bus stop. The problem is just getting worse.”

When asked what needs to be done to combat anti-social behaviour, Cllr Whalen answered: “There has to be an increased police presence in the town and we may need to adopt a zero-tolerance policy.

"Curfews could maybe be put in place.

“I love Carlisle and I love representing my constituents but something needs to happen. It is sad that there isn’t enough funding for more police presence; however the force and the city council must collaborate to sort out what’s going on.”

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