'INTIMIDATING' youths have been running riot and goading staff as antisocial behaviour problems escalate at Bicester's town library.

One visitor said the ongoing issues at the town's library are now 'worse than ever' and even forced it to close early one day this month.

Oxfordshire County Council, owners of the library in Franklins House near Pioneer Square, confirmed the library closed two hours early on November 8 as a result of the problems.

One library user, who asked not to be named, said: "The library is worse than ever and the troubles and threatening behaviour is what forced staff to close early.

"Although I am not necessarily impacted, I do feel that the elderly who use the library are being massively affected. Surely we can do better as a community to protect the elderly.

"I also feel that people who need the computers to prepare CVs and apply for jobs are being adversely affected."

The library has been plagued with the problem one and off this year, as well as issues of drug paraphernalia which were reported in this newspaper in January.

The report noted the discarded dirty needles and anti-social behaviour had led to police being drafted in to tackle the issue.

Another regular library user who asked not to be named said: "A couple of months back I saw teens running riot up and down the stairs, giving the security guy a hard time.

"They know they're untouchable.

"They were going up to the unused level and laughing at the security guard when he chased them down.

"Then they were messing around on the window platform by the stairs at library level, jumping on and off."

The local resident added: "I feel sorry for the little kids in the library, and older people, who may feel intimidated by the noise and language."

Bicester Town councillor Nick Mawer said the problems of antisocial behaviour in that part of town were not limited to the library.

He added: "There have been reports of issues at B&M and the police have issued a notice regarding Pioneer Square, so there have been antisocial behaviour issues in the town."

Oxfordshire County Council said it was aware of the problems at the library, which opened in 2016 to replace the former site in Old Place Yard.

The council said it had taken 'strong steps' to combat the issue.

County council spokesman Paul Smith added: "A security officer has for some time been operating at the library in partnership with Cherwell District Council, CCTV coverage has been increased with extra cameras and we are in constant dialogue with Thames Valley Police, the Bicester Neighbourhood Police Team, Cherwell District Council and the local schools.

"Everybody is working together to bring a resolution to these problems affecting the whole town centre."