THE failure of police to attend a community meeting has left concerns about increasing anti social behaviour unaddressed.

Despite the appointment of a new community police officer in Ham, no police representative attended the ward's area consultation meeting on Tuesday.

"The police never arrived and it was unhelpful in the extreme," said ward councillor Sue Jones.

The trouble in Ham was highlighted to police at last month's Police Community Consultative Group where it dominated public discussion.

"Over the years we have been experiencing varying degrees of anti social behaviour by a group of youths," explained Cllr Jones. "Over the last couple of months they have been increasing."

Ham was without a community police officer for six months until September.

"I am not saying we have no police cover. We see them drive through. But they are just passing through, they are not based here permanently," added Cllr Jones. One of the main areas of concern is Ashburnham Road.

Inspector Mike Kirby of the community intelligence team said: "We are deeply apologetic for not having attended. We are aware of the problems in Ham and this is one of the reasons why they are going to be one of the next safer neighbourhood areas."

But in six months' time Ham will be given a safer neighbourhoods team. The community are working hard to reduce the anti social behaviour with organisations providing activities to keep young people occupied.

The councillors promise to pass residents' comments about policing on to officers.