Police plea to parents

Local police are becoming increasingly concerned about the behaviour of young people on the Ringwood to Poulner A31 footbridge. Stones and other objects have been dropped and alarm caused to passing drivers and passengers alike. Authorities are warning that this could ultimately lead to loss of lives.

According to a survey commissioned by Autoglass, 89% of motorists affected by a missile throwing incident don’t report it.  Based on these figures, Ringwood may have already experienced 100 incidents this year, each one a potential accident.

Stephanie Bell from Community First New Forest hopes that work will be carried out to make the footbridge safer, however asks that anyone with any comments about the footbridge please contact her on 01425 484719 or email stephanie.bell@nfdc.gov.uk. She said, “If local people have any concerns about the footbridge, they must come forward as their opinions are important and can help make a difference.”

Sgt Ricky Gallagher from Ringwood Police says, "The number of incidents to date is disturbing, at least one vehicle has been damaged and others have had to take evasive action. Young people may consider this to be harmless fun but it is potentially very dangerous and could result in the serious injury or fatality of a motorist.”

He advises parents to speak to their children and tell them that this is not an appropriate place to loiter or congregate as even the mere presence of young people on the bridge is unsettling for drivers below.  He adds, “Anyone found interfering with traffic on the A31 will be dealt with robustly and may be prosecuted.”

Anyone witnessing missile throwing from the bridge should call 999 at the time or 101 if you have information about similar incidents at this location and quote RMS 44100337811.