Youngsters should be given a shelter with free wi-fi access to stop anti-social behaviour in a West Cumbrian town centre, Allerdale council leader Alan Smith said.

Plans to install 10ft gates to close off an alley in Workington after reports of gangs of youths terrorising delivery drivers and traders have been discussed by Allerdale council this week.

Coun Bill Jefferson told the meeting that the problem was made worse by a lack of police on the streets.

He said: "We need to recognise a fundamental weakness here which is the diminishing police resources.

"I think I would also point the finger at the reluctance to prosecute."

After the meeting, Coun Smith, said youths congregate in the town centre because of the free wi-fi.

He said: "I think an alternative would be to put a shelter with wi-fi so the children would be away from the darker areas.

"I don't like prosecuting children. I understand the shopkeepers' point of view, but we need to help children rather than knocking them back all the time.

"If there's a problem, I'll try to find a solution, we need to engage with young people. Workington isn't the Bronx."

Police have been called to reports of delivery drivers being spat at and intimidated with sticks, their vehicles being kicked, windows being smashed and back doors being kicked in in and around the back lanes off Murray Road.

In one instance a youth threw a wooden pallet at a shop worker and in another a can of lager was thrown at a person's head by a gang of boys.

Other reported incidents include youths overturning bins, throwing rubbish around and starting fires, drinking and smoking, kicking footballs at passing vehicles and against buildings, and spraying graffiti.

To tackle the anti-social behaviour - recorded over the last three years - Workington Town Council has applied to Allerdale council for gates to be installed at either end of the back lane that runs from Murray Road, next to Subway, to Upton Street, next to Argos.

The proposal is for a legal order to ban the public from accessing the lane when the gates are shut.

People could be fined up to £1,000 if found breaching the ban.

The cost of installing the gates, which would be up to 10ft high, would be split between Workington Town Council and Allerdale council.

The estimated cost to Allerdale council would be between £3,000 and £4,000.

The executive agreed to launch a public consultation on the proposal, which is due to start soon.