Would turning off free Wi-Fi solve Riccarton youth issues?

Since opening in 2015, the bus lounge had been a hot-spot for trouble-causing youths. Photo / 123RF

Disconnecting the free Wi-Fi at the Riccarton bus lounge is one of many ideas being investigated to try to curb the anti-social behaviour plaguing the area.

A working group, made up of city council staff, Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board members, and representatives from nearby businesses and Westfield Riccarton, has been formed to come up with ways to deal with the issue.

Board chairman Mike Mora said turning off the Wi-Fi was one idea the group was looking into, because a lot of youths loitered outside to use it.

A working group is looking at a number of options to try and curb anti-social behaviour near the Riccarton bus lounge. Photo / Geoff Sloan, Christchurch Star

He said the group was looking at a range of other options, including installing security cameras, and the idea of creating an anti-loitering bylaw that would give police the power to move people on.

"I don't think one silver bullet is going to solve the issue," Mora said.

"It's a work in progress and we're going to keep the momentum up."

Since opening in 2015, the bus lounge had been a hot-spot for trouble-causing youths.

Nearby businesses have had enough of them loitering and intimidating their customers.

Community board member Debbie Mora said turning off the Wi-Fi could be done on a trial basis to see whether it made any difference.

Another working party has been formed to discuss ways to stop anti-social behaviour by making Division St more attractive, and in turn, less attractive for loiterers.

Ideas raised included the possibility of Farmers at Westfield Riccarton opening up its wall along the street, or the bus lounge being extended to include a glass frontage cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.