SSSH.... whisper it quietly but even libraries in North East Lincolnshire have been the scene of some shock crimes.

Across seven of the area's libraries, incidents including drug abuse, criminal damage, assault, theft and drunken behaviour have been responded to by Humberside Police.

A Freedom of Information request by the Grimsby Telegraph, asked for the date, the location, the incident and what action was taken in libraries during 2009.

Police responded to 32 different incidents, from January 18 to November 7, last year.

Of those incidents, only once did police charge an individual. As many as 19 incidents were "filed undetected".

One of the most shocking is from March 2009, when an air pistol or rifle was fired at a window of the Willows Library.

An 11-year-old child was assaulted in Grant Thorold Library, while in the same premises around 12 youths were reported to be drinking and throwing things around.

A member of the public handed in "what looks to be drugs" found in Grimsby Central Library, while customers had to step over "a drunk" who was laying across the entrance to the same library for 30 minutes.

Councillor Leanor Pidgen, North East Lincolnshire Council's (NELC) portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism, said: "People who cause this trouble are taking so much pleasure away from other people."

See today's Grimsby Telegraph for the full list of incidents, and the action taken by police.