Police have urged the owners of the Forest Centre to take action to improve safety for staff and residents.

The centre has become a growing concern for residents, business owners, politicians and police as antisocial behaviour reached a tipping point in late 2025.

In November, officers from Longmoor Neighbourhood Policing Team were called to a number of incidents, including underage drinking and reports of a child carrying a knife, which was not found during a police search.

The incidents led police to issue a Section 34 dispersal order covering the Forest Centre, The Shed and Chalet Hill. The order gave officers powers to require anyone to leave the area if they were likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

At the Whitehill Town Assembly last week, East Hampshire Chief Inspector Matt Moss outlined police concerns and how officers plan to tackle the issue.

One of the main concerns is that the layout and condition of the Forest Centre itself are contributing to anti-social behaviour, and that more action is needed from its owners.

Chf Insp Moss said: “Antisocial behaviour at the Forest Centre is one of our biggest priorities but the thing is with kids running on the roof of the shopping area is they could fall and severely hurt themselves if we chase them. We will still however, respond to any calls about ASB at the site.

“The owners need to do more to help us. The roof is too easy to access, the CCTV is too poor and things are not being fixed quick enough. I went down there once and there was a window broken and three months later it was still not fixed.”

The owners of the Forest Centre were approached for comment but had not responded at time of publication.