New measures to control yobs in Newbury have been unveiled by West Berkshire Council.

Around four in ten people feel intimidated by gangs of youths gathering in the Newbury area, but questions remain over whether schemes like the Nightingales wardens and extra neighbourhood police patrols will continue to attract government funding.

Recent increased work on the troubled Turnpike estate, and at Greenham, is thought to have led to a fall in crime, but on the other hand, only four Antisocial Behaviour Orders and 20 Acceptable Behaviour Contracts have been issued so far, against 16 ASBOs alone on one Bristol housing estate.

The council now wants better trained youth workers, better reporting channels for yobbish activity, and secured government funding to build on progress already made.

Infill continues

Three homes are to be squeezed on to the site where one period home now stands. A detached house in Essex Street is due to be turned into a terrace of three four-bedroom homes by Amcrest Developments.

Phoenix flats

Once touted as a swish new winebar for Newbury’s army of thirty-something professionals, the Phoenix Brewery in Bartholomew Street is now to be turned into flats. Police objections over rowdiness killed the idea, and the owners now want to turn the 19th century character building into six flats and two bedsits.

Jobless static

Newbury bucked the trend for a national rise in unemployment this month. The town’s unemployment rate remained at 0.9% for the second month running, despite a 0.1% increase nationally. The Newbury economy still has more jobs than people, and is drawing in graduate migrants from around the country.

Boy up for burglary

A 10-year-old boy from Newbury was charged on Saturday evening with one burglary and two criminal damage counts in the local area and will appear before West Berkshire magistrates on March 21.

Shop rebuild

Developers are hoping to rebuild the Poundstretcher store on London Road. The discount store burned to the ground last year, but with huge demand for out of town retail outlets, a new tenant has been lined up.

Castle talk

A historical talk on how good local castles were at defending their inhabitants takes place on Thursday in Newbury. The town hall is hosting Richard Bacon, an ex-soldier who is providing analysis on the siting and fortifications of Donnington castle and Hamstead Marshall motte. The lecture starts at 7pm and tickets cost £5.