Libraries forced to ban children as young as 9 over assaults and thefts
CHILDREN as young as nine have been banned from libraries for assaulting staff and trying to steal equipment.
Young people have been issued with orders banning them from libraries across East Yorkshire after extreme behaviour.
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Calm and quiet: A Freedom Of Information request has revealed a number of disturbances involving children at libraries across the region.
The youngest was a nine-year-old girl, who was banned from Bridlington and Bridlington North Library for a month after disrupting other library users, hitting other children and refusing to leave by lying on the floor.
In the East Riding, 25 orders have been issued to children, banning them from libraries and Beverley Treasure House, since 2007, while in Hull, there have been 24.
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Hull City Council say library banning orders are a "last resort".
A spokesman said: "It is with the regret the library service sometimes has to take this action.
"The act of banning or barring any individual, particularly young people, is always either a last resort or part of a considered action due to other circumstances."
A Freedom Of Information request by the Mail shows there were also two banning orders given to children at leisure centres.
A 14-year-old boy was banned from the Pavilion Leisure Centre in Withernsea for a week after exposing himself to children and another boy of the same age was banned from Goole Leisure Centre for theft.
In Hull, Fred Moore Library has seen ten bans – making it the worst in the city for bad behaviour.
As part of the information request, Hull City Council only listed the reasons for banning as either threatening behaviour, antisocial behaviour or serious antisocial behaviour.
However, the reasons given by East Riding Council were more descriptive.
The bans included offensive language towards staff, intimidation of library users, hitting other library users and even pouring orange juice over someone's head.
On five occasions in the East Riding, police had to be called.
Darren Stevens, head of culture and information at East Riding Council, said: "Council- run venues in the East Riding, such as leisure centres and libraries, provide a valuable service to local communities and enjoy high usage by both residents and visitors to the area.
"People who frequent these facilities should be able to do so without being subjected to unacceptable forms of behaviour from other people.
"The council takes a sensible approach when dealing with anyone causing disruption or being abusive and will use exclusions where necessary in order to protect the public and staff."
Libraries forced to ban children as young as 9 over assaults and thefts
Comments
by David_Nivea
Monday, February 06 2012, 6:29PM
“Shouldn't they be out boozing with their "mother"?”
by ColonelKurtz
Thursday, February 02 2012, 11:16PM
“Quite a few adults in my local library are rude to staff. I don't mind phones in libraries but to be talking on one whilst being served is very ignorant. And why can't people queue? The amount of times I am being served and someone comes to the side of me and pushes in is unbelievable”
by DanDrimire
Thursday, February 02 2012, 7:33PM
“What on earth are you complainers on about? What are these parents expected to do whilst East Enders in on? Look after their children themselves? What .... and risk missing something?”
by Eleanor91
Thursday, February 02 2012, 5:34PM
“I used to dread going to the library during holidays, nights and weekends. Parents would just ship the kids off to mess about and play on computers. I have witnessed kids cheeking staff, running around, throwing stuff and shouting. Most of them probably couldn't even read. I think putting the computers in a separate room with a member of staff on hand would help. Then the rest, if they didn't sit quietly and read they should be kicked out. After all, the library is not a playground and the staff are not babysitters.”
by Dee_SBL
Thursday, February 02 2012, 1:34PM
“@Weekslider looks like it!”
by red_karen
Thursday, February 02 2012, 8:38AM
“I would be interested to know how many adults have banning orders as some of them are just as badly behaved as the children, but larger and more menacing!”
by Weekslider
Thursday, February 02 2012, 3:53AM
“@Dee_SBL
"Is it just me who thinks libraries are unnecessary and expensive in this day and age?"
- It's just you Dee!”
by Dee_SBL
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 3:16PM
“Is it just me who thinks libraries are unnecessary and expensive in this day and age?”
by Smiler_3
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 1:54PM
“After spending much of my summer in a Hull library last year I totally agree. Granted there were some parents who brought their children in to participate in the Summer Reading Challenge however there was a great amount of unaccompanied children whose main aim was fighting over computers so they could go on Facebook. Primary school children on Facebook ignoring the fact they are surrounded by books to read. What happened to childhood nowadays? I used to love getting lost in a book when I was at school, I still do now when time is on my side. These children need to find better and more beneficial activities to do with their time. The parents need to encourage them to do so! Your children are your responsibility not the Library workers.”
by David_Nivea
Wednesday, February 01 2012, 1:35PM
“Yes, asfarge says - a tiny insight into what teachers have to deal with on a daily basis. Not to mention near schools who have to tolerate Olympic standard littering and parking frenzies during the school run by people in pyjamas.”