Cannabis in the stairwells just one of the issues blighting Wellingborough car park

Action is being taken to tackle the ongoing problem of anti-social behaviour at Wellingborough's Swansgate car park.

Police are working with Wellingborough Council and the Swansgate Shopping Centre to crackdown on the issues blighting the car park, which serves the shopping centre as well as the town centre and nearby businesses.

The free car park is used by people of all ages, especially with its proximity to the Castle Theatre and Wellingborough Museum.

A spokesman for Northants Police said: "Anti-social behaviour at this multi-storey is an ongoing issue.

"It involves a number of young people running around at the top of the multi-storey, congregating and smoking cannabis in the stairwells.

"We’re working with the local council and the Swansgate Centre to get it sorted and have so far identified a number of individuals we believe to be involved."

Officers from the Wellingborough Town Neighbourhood Policing Team have been carrying out patrols around the car park.

The spokesman added that there is a local anti-social behaviour group which is also working to 'curb this behaviour', but anyone with information is encouraged to contact police.

A spokesman for Wellingborough Council said: “The Borough Council of Wellingborough has dedicated community protection enforcement officers who carry out regular patrols of the Swansgate car park area, responding to the times at which the problems are reported working in partnership with Northamptonshire Police.

"The council is working with external and internal partners to develop a partner strategy to establish a way forward to address ongoing concerns and consider these as part of the council’s refurbishment of the car park.

"Once this has been adopted, this will be implemented and communicated with members of the public.”

The Swansgate Shopping Centre has been contacted for a comment.