Don't let shelter become den for drink and drugs; Call for play area to be better policed.

Byline: STEVE BAGNALL

CALLS were made for security to keep drug users and boozers away from a youth shelter when it reopens soon after a pounds 3,000 revamp.

Locals have lodged a stream of complaints that the "chat shelter", in Caia Park, near Hafod y Wern School, has become a magnet for underage drinkers and drug users.

The facility was previously run by The Venture children's charity as a meeting place for youngsters, but was closed about three years ago after fires.

Wrexham councillors for Caia Park Keith Gregory and Carrie Harper have called for action to sort out the shelter, saying they'd received a lot of complaints.

The pair said it had cost Wrexham hundreds of pounds over the course of the year to send in workers weekly to clean up the mess.

Yesterday, it was confirmed the shelter will re-open soon, after a pounds 3,000 grant from the council, for refurbishment works.

But Cllr Gregory said he was concerned over the type of people it could continue to attract.

"What we are concerned about is when it reopens whether it is still going to attract drug users and drinkers," he said.

"It needs to be properly policed and I know there are councillors who would rather see a proper shelter there. I have had a number of complaints from locals who said there have been people boozing there and drug needles found.

"It is also regularly broken into and it is costing money to replace the boards. The shelter also backs on to Hafod y Wern School and they have found cans and bottles thrown over." Coun Harper added: "I have also had complaints from locals about anti-social behaviour there - about drug dealers using it sell drugs."

Yesterday a Wrexham County Borough Council spokesman said the shelter came under the jurisdiction of The Venture playground, one of the biggest children's charities in the region. Coun King yesterday assured concerned locals it would reopen soon and be used appropriately. He said: "The shelter has been rebuilt with pounds 3,000 by the youngsters. "It is structurally sound and the finishing touches are being put to it.

"There have been no complaints to Wrexham council that I know of.

"As far as I know it is the only self built youth centre in North Wales.

"And I know the youngsters involved would be mortified if they thought it had been misused in any way."

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CAPTION(S):

Cllr Keith Gregory at the Prince Charles Road, Play Area shelter, Queesway, Wrexham, which is preparing to reopen