THE policeman in charge of tackling anti-social behaviour in Worcester says he would like to see 50 of the controversial youth shelters dotted around the city.

His comments follow a barrage of criticism about the structures which have been put up in Warndon and Warndon Villages.

Critics say youth shelters, which cost thousands of pounds to put up, are a waste of money because they are not well used.

Also, levels of graffiti and litter have increased near to the shelters, according to some reports.

But Sgt Christopher Allen, of Worcester Police, said the first two shelters were just the first piece in a much larger jigsaw.

He said: "The idea was never to focus simply on the two shelters. This is just the start. The kids are using them. There is not tons and tons of litter."

Sgt Allen said many parties involved in planning the shelters in Worcester were beginning to get cold feet after negative publicity about the first two.

"If anti-social behaviour was easy to solve, we'd have solved it long ago," he said.

"If I had a blank chequebook and 50 pockets of land, I would put up 50 youth shelters."

He added that there was too much intolerance of young people.

"The basic problem is the belief that all groups of young people must mean disorderly behaviour which is simply not true. There is a total lack of community spirit in some places," he added.

Sgt Allen spoke after criticism of the Warndon youth shelter from members at Warndon Parish Council and complaints from residents in Great Oaty Gardens, Warndon Villages, about gangs of teenagers drinking and causing a nuisance in a park outside their homes.

Parish council member David Eastwood told the latest meeting: "I've had a look at the youth shelter and it's full of rubbish and graffiti.

"I was disgusted. It's indicative of the people we are trying to deal with. They don't have respect for other people's property."

The youth shelters were put up earlier this year in Ankerage Green, Warndon Villages, and Shap Drive, Warndon.

If you live in Warndon Villages and have a story, reporter Ian Wishart would like to hear from you. Contact him on 01905 742256 or e-mail iw@thisisworcester.co.uk