CONCERNS have been raised after youths were reportedly spotted wreaking havoc in a village railway station.

A warning has been issued that Askam Station is not a social meeting place for youngsters after large groups were reportedly seen ‘messing around’ in the premises.

According to witnesses, youngsters were spotted trespassing on the railway and engaging in unsuitable activities.

Laughing gas canisters have also been found in the station which residents say is a ‘frequent problem’ within the village.

Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘hippy crack’, is a colourless gas that has legal uses but is frequently misused as a ‘party drug’.

However, the substance has been linked to serious side effects including numbness, dizziness and sudden death.

Last month half a dozen nitrous oxide gas canisters were reportedly found discarded outside St Peter’s Primary School in Askam, leading police and local councillors to get involved.

The moderators of the Askam and Ireleth Information Facebook page expressed their frustration at the spate of antisocial behaviour and warned youths and parents that the British Transport Police would be getting involved.

A spokesman for Northern, which operates Askam Station, apologised to any customers affected by antisocial behaviour.

He said: “We’re sorry for any customers whose journeys have been affected as a result of antisocial behaviour on our network.

“We employ a specialist team of Travel Safe Officers across the north of England and continue to work closely with colleagues from British Transport Police to tackle the problem and deal with those who persist in causing problems.”

Askam Station was given a clean up in November 2018 after the waiting room was reported to rail bosses as a health and safety hazard. A visitor to the railway station took a number of photographs showing litter, a damaged ceiling and vandalised furniture in the waiting room and called on Northern to clear up the mess.

The rail operators issued an apology for the state of the waiting room.