A BUS shelter in Harnham could be pulled down, because it acts as a magnet for rowdy youths, whose antisocial behaviour includes intimidating local residents and damaging surrounding property.

Between October last year and February this, police recorded 72 crimes in the Harnham area, 20 of them criminal damage incidents related to antisocial behaviour.

The shelter itself has been set on fire, has had dog faeces plastered inside it, graffiti sprayed inside and out and its roofing tiles ripped off and thrown at surrounding houses and gardens.

Last week, members of Salisbury district council's city area community committee received a report from Harnham police beat manager, PC Claire Stone, whose opinion was that the only way to resolve the problem was for the bus shelter to be removed and replaced by a free-standing bus stop flag.

She told councillors that local residents were "extremely upset and agitated" by the youths' behaviour, to the extent that they were trying to take matters into their own hands.

Her report said: "As a result, there is concern that confrontations will arise that could lead to acts of serious violence."

Councillors heard that up to 20 youths at a time congregated in the shelter in Lower Road, Harnham - one of several places where the youths tended to meet.

The One Stop shop in Netherhampton Road, the Essex Square play area, the cricket pavilion and Old Blandford Road were other meeting places.

PC Stone said: "When the youths congregate in the shelter, they drink alcohol and some reports have been received that they also smoke drugs.

"This fuels their behaviour, causing them to become abusive to local residents and carry out mindless acts of vandalism."

She said there was reluctance on the part of residents to make statements because they feared reprisal, and the police could not move on groups if they had committed no offence.

PC Stone added: "The youths are moved on by police and police community support officers from the problem areas but they move from one to another, returning when the police have left the scene."

District council officers recommended councillors should consider removing the shelter, consulting with interested groups to explain the situation and gain their approval.

The committee deferred a final decision until May 24 and asked officers to compile a report listing the options available, together with the financial implications.

Committee chairman Simon Howarth said Harnham councillors had consulted quite extensively with local residents.

He said: "There would seem to be general agreement that the situation as it stands is unacceptable, but opinions seem divided on whether the bus shelter should stay or go.

"It was generally felt the shelter was an attractive feature and that it was preferable to attempt to resolve the problem without removing it.

"Members also felt it would send a very bad signal to those responsible for the vandalism if the council appeared to 'give in' to them over the issue.

"Possible measures discussed were the use of dispersal orders on youths identified as being behind the vandalism, the installation of bright lighting inside the shelter, the removal of the side walls, the removal of the seating in the shelter, and increased patrols by police and community support officers."

Police and council bosses last month slammed vandals responsible for a wave of wanton damage to bus shelters around Bemerton Heath, and police and other agencies are trying to solve the problem.