Youth shelter plans for Dovercourt have been postponed following claims the nearby skatepark is home for drugs and under-age sex.

Harwich Crime Prevention Panel said it had put its project on hold until problems at the town's new skatepark subsided.

The shelter was earmarked for the same stretch of seafront as the skatepark, in Low Road, which came under fire from residents recently.

Under-age sex, drugs, graffiti and litter were said to be causing chaos at the skating facility.

Gerald Wallington-Hayes, panel chairman, said: "We have had a lot of mail concerning the skatepark and we agreed to temporarily put plans for the youth shelter on the back burner for the time being."

He said the panel put the shelter on hold because of the skatepark and a lack of funds.

Published Thursday October 17, 2002

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