A POPULAR town centre park has become a regular haunt for underage drinkers and troublemakers, according to residents. Police confiscated 16 bottles of alcohol from seven youngsters on December 1 after officers stopped and searched them. A number of resid

A POPULAR town centre park has become a regular haunt for underage drinkers and troublemakers, according to residents.Police confiscated 16 bottles of alcohol from seven youngsters on December 1 after officers stopped and searched them.A number of residents have also complained about antisocial behaviour in the area.Amanda Hutchinson, of Walliscote Road, said she and her neighbours witnessed a group of over 60 youngsters causing chaos in Clarence Park and the grounds of St Paul's Church the weekend before. She said: "The youngsters were openly walking around with bottles and cans of alcohol. After drinking them they then began throwing the empty bottles around and up against parked and passing cars and on the road."They built themselves up into a wild frenzy shouting and swearing and intimidating anyone who walked down the street. "They were jumping out in front of passing cars. Several vehicles were stopped from passing and then some of the youths kicked the cars as they tried to drive away and shouted abusive language at the drivers."Sergeant Gareth Starr said: "We've had problems which have moved from the Maltlands area of Locking Castle. A lot of children have been going to Clarence Park."Police have been patrolling the area and carrying out searches to try and prevent underage drinking.