RETAILERS in and around Tower Park reportedly lock their doors when known groups of youths are on premises to prevent anti-social behaviour.

After two teenage boys were recently arrested for the alleged assault of two other boys at the leisure complex in Poole, residents and councillors have spoken out about the impact such instances had on retailers.

One resident from Poole who witnessed the latest incident said some premises, including Cineworld, had resorted to locking their doors during parts of the day in a bid to stop fights and ASB spilling inside.

While unable to comment officially, a Tower Park official did tell the Echo that retailers within the complex can take such measures in the absence of police.

Bournemouth Echo: Tower Park in PooleTower Park in Poole

A Cineworld spokesperson said: “In response to disturbances our doors are locked and monitored by security to prevent anyone who isn’t a genuine customer entering the cinema and causing disruption.”

Canford Heath ward councillor Sean Gabriel said while he had not heard of units within Tower Park utilising additional measures to tackle ASB, various others within the Mannings Heath retail area had done.

He told the Echo: “I was very concerned to hear about the incidents in Tower Park and have been contacted directly about it, but I have also been called up to the other nearby retail estates where shops have had similar issues.

“If retailers within Tower Park are locking their doors to stop ASB, that’s really concerning. I think in that situation all they can do is make sure the police are aware of what’s going on.

Bournemouth Echo: Tower Park in PooleTower Park in Poole

“I was called up to the area by a friend who was having some issues with ASB and my impression is that some of these youths have targeted retail units with limited security. They shouldn’t need to have more security but it’s clear that the ones with less do have more issues.

“Again, I would just encourage all those impacted to alert the police as soon as anything happens to act as a deterrent and to improve their security if they can.”

Cllr Gabriel also said he would contact more businesses within the leisure complex to let them know of his and his fellow ward councillor’s dedication to helping them stamp out the issue.