The use of classical music is reportedly scaring groups of youths away from the Queen Street Mall. Credit:Robert Rough "You just don't see it anywhere else - they can be quite menacing... "Anti-social behaviour is going on here all the time." An 18-year-old man was stabbed yesterday morning in an abandoned building in Burnett Lane, around the corner from Albert Street. Mr Vere, who said he had complained to Lord Mayor Campbell Newman and police about behaviour in the area, showed brisbanetimes.com.au a log that staff had kept, listing incidents that resulted in them calling the police.

Already three pages long, the log lists many entries, including one that says "They now have AMPS!!!". "The police say there's not a lot they can do because kids know their rights and they won't be moved on," Mr Vere said. "Even if they go to court, they'll only get a $100 fine." Mr Vere said the group started congregating in Albert Street after they were moved on from outside Hungry Jack's in the Queen Street Mall, thanks to classical music being piped through the public address system. Everyone wants kids to have the chance to be kids, but not at everyone else's expense.

"Brisbane Marketing said to me that they moved them on with the aid of classical music," he said. "They said to me, 'Why don't you try that?', but I'm not sure that's an option for Rocking Horse." Mr Vere said while the youths were normally well-behaved, the situation often degenerated very quickly, especially on Saturday afternoons. "We've never taken them on face-to-face because we know that if we're not here, there could be payback," he said. "Everyone wants kids to have the chance to be kids, but not at everyone else's expense." Other nearby businesses agreed it was an issue, including City Hall Duty Free on Albert Street.

Manager Aaron Lu said cigarette smoke wafted into his shop and customers had to navigate through litter and the youths' spreadeagled bodies as they sat leaning on their wall. "People have walked past and had water thrown on them," he said. Mr Lu said he had made complaints to council, but had been told it was a matter for the police. "I've called the police but nothing gets done," he said. Comment has been sought from Brisbane Marketing, but local councillor David Hinchliffe said the classical music approach was part of a program rolled out by the Queen Street Mall advisory committee.

"It follows on overseas research which indicates that sort of music drives away people under 35, so that's the reason for it and it is a specific policy," he said. "The problem is that simply moving people on, whether by police action or in this subtle way through classical music, it still doesn't address the major problem and that is there still needs to be a place in the CBD where people are able to congregate in a safe environment without causing a problem." Cr Hinchliffe said the new verandah structure in King George Square could be well utilised as a youth hang-out. "If Rocking Horse have problems with these people, then it clearly demonstrates how hard it is to find locations where they are able to be accommodated," he said. "There needs to be an ongoing program of subtle engagement and to council's credit, there has been some work done up there through a city entertainment program.

"But it's got to be done in a way these young people relate to." Cr Hinchliffe conceded the problem would not go away any time soon. "I'm under no illusions. There's no simple answer," he said. Economic development chairman Adrian Schrinner said council was taking steps to assist police in making the Queen Street Mall a safer environment. "This is a public space and we have measures like our CitySafe cameras and speaker systems in place to help move people on and alert the police if there's a threat to public safety," he said.

Queensland Police were approached for comment, but did not respond.