A HOSTILE crowd challenged police about soaring youth crime in Downley at a Chiltern Vale Police Area Forum.

But Cllr Anthea Hardy (Lab, Downley) criticised heated locals for blaming police and said the community must pull together to tackle its problems.

Residents are fed up with what they call a "minority of young people terrorising the village" with the Pastures Free Methodist Church and the grounds around St James' Hall in Plomer Lane being particularly targeted.

Cllr Hardy said: "There are so many children with nothing to do vandalising the village, using drugs and under-age drinking.

"But the answer is not in arresting the kids but getting them involved in clubs and groups."

And Alan Page, chairman of High Wycombe Pensioners Voice, who chaired the meeting, agreed that the community needs to come together to end the "mayhem".

"We need to support Neighbourhood Watch and help out providing facilities for young people. Thames Valley Police are doing their best considering how under-resourced they are."

Cllr Hardy also added that volunteers were desperately needed to organise youth groups and that people were unwilling to help out with such activities.

"Police have said they cannot do it alone. We can't keep expecting others to solve our problems. They are our children and our responsibility."

PC Learie Bacchus, area beat officer, said: "We are aware that a small number of youths have been causing problems with anti-social behaviour in the area and we are working with the community to deal with the problems.

"Neighbourhood Watch schemes will only be effective if people are committed."