A SOCIAL centre for youngsters in Framlingham could be on the cards.The town's community police officer Robbie Abrahams is spearheading plans to provide some kind of meeting place for youngsters to prevent them having to congregate on the streets.

A SOCIAL centre for youngsters in Framlingham could be on the cards.

The town's community police officer Robbie Abrahams is spearheading plans to provide some kind of meeting place for youngsters to prevent them having to congregate on the streets.

A public meeting aimed at setting up a steering group for the plans is due to take place next month.

A successful clampdown on under-age drinking, with licensees keeping them out of pubs, had had a knock-on effect, explained PC Abrahams.

There were few facilities geared towards the 14 to 18 age range in Framlingham, and this has led to youngsters gathering in large numbers in the town centre, particularly at weekends.

"It's a problem we have in a number of places, not just Framlingham," he said. "There's no provision for them."

The youth club, which meets on Wednesdays at the High School, was a long way out, he pointed out.

Now there are hopes that the town can provide its own version a successful drop-in project for youths in Leiston run by CYDS. CYDS is not directly involved in the Framlingham project, but is providing advice.

PC Abrahams, who is also vice chairman of Framlingham Youth Club, said he became involved in trying to do something for the under 18s because of his two roles in the town and also because he was a resident.

He hopes they will be able to pool the resources of the many organisations looking to help youngsters in the town.

Before they can put proposals together, they need to demonstrate that the centre is needed. Initially, outreach workers would talk to youngsters to find out what they want.

"They want somewhere to go and meet their friends and to sit and have a soft drink and just basically socialise," said PC Abrahams.

He was optimistic about the proposals.

"It's looking very promising there's going to be some provision in the near future," he said.

A public meeting is due to take place at the Granary, Church St, on Friday, July 11, starting at 8pm. Youngsters and members of organisations working with them have been invited.