A 17-YEAR-OLD accused of a catalogue of offences has had a court order put on him in a bid to improve life for residents of Bournemouth's Townsend estate.

Bournemouth Borough Council was recently granted an interim antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) for the boy, who does not now live on the estate but is thought to have been responsible for many of its recent problems.

He has been accused of repeated threatening behaviour and harassment, making life intolerable for some locals.

The alleged activities of the boy include:

throwing fireworks, stones and other missiles

forcing the Post Office to seal the estate's post box

terrorising staff at the local convenience store, shoplifting and driving a moped around the shop.

Victims have been given a mobile phone number to ring for support and have been offered panic alarms and CCTV.

The council has put out leaflets telling the public what to do if they see any breaches of the order or any other antisocial behaviour.

Cllr Jean Moore, the council's cabinet member for developing communities and tackling crime, said: "People that are subject to ASBOs are behaving in a way that others wouldn't dream about and we are working, together with the police, to take action wherever we can to show that antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated."

The council says it is also using other "creative" projects to encourage long-term solutions to trouble.

These include football and table tennis clubs, fishing projects, a new youth group and shelter, and consultation with residents and community groups about their suggestions.

Anyone needing information can contact the council's antisocial behaviour co-ordinator on 01202 454873.

First published: April 26