An emergency meeting has been called by Cumbria police as levels of anti-social behaviour have increased in Workington town centre.

Police say they are running out of solutions to tackle the issues in the back lanes off Murray Road.

Plans to install gates at each ends of lanes - next to Subway and Argos - is being investigated.

The meeting, called by PC Lorraine Murphy, of the problem solving team, took place on Friday.

PC Murphy, Sergeant Joe Stamper and Inspector Gary Hunter met with Toni Magean, town centre manager and town councillor Denise Rollo. 

Insp Hunter said: "The meeting was called to address the problems in the town centre such as anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and needles being found, which have been increasing.

"In the past couple of months it's got worse and we're running out of solutions. 

"Lots has been done so far in the back lanes, such as local police trying to divert children away from the area, test purchasing using children in off-licences, CCTV and monitoring with plain clothed officers. 

"Shopkeepers have reported windows being smashed and there's graffiti that say Mandem all over the place."

Mandem is the name of a gang recently target of a special police operation, which has seen 56 members of gangs from the town centre and the Moorclose area brought to justice.

Offenders were aged between 13 and 40.

Insp Hunter added: "The issue will be discussed at the next council planning meeting, as the gates would be funded by the council."

Installation of gates at the entry of the back lanes would cost around £4,000 and are due to be discussed at the next town council planning meeting.

He added: "We have already made arrangements with the Probation Service for people on a payback scheme to clean up the area.

"The proposed gates would only be locked at night by the shopkeepers.

"We think that youths congregate there because of the free wifi from the shops."

Mr Magean said: "It's been an ongoing problem and it's a shame.

"My concern was that we were only addressing the symptoms, because we could remove the young people from that area, but where will they go?

"We're looking at a circular solution, which involves the creation of a new youth club."

Charity Soundwave has been awarded £9,200 by the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Fund to set up a youth group programme in the town's Theatre Royal on Washington Street. 

A spokeswoman for the crime commissioner said: "It is hoped that by providing an attractive space for young people this will reduce complaints associated with young people gathering in groups, like verbal abuse, fighting, alcohol abuse and littering.

"Another anticipated benefit is that the town centre streets would be less intimidating in the evening especially for senior citizens, and there would be a reduction of instances of criminal damage."

Soundwave were awarded the sum, with 80 per cent of the amount paid now, and the remaining 20 per cent will be paid in 12 months’ time subject to receiving a satisfactory project evaluation report.