After a hard day’s work and the stress of getting through the occasional misery of today’s modern life you would expect to be able to sit down at home and relax to read your copy of the Shropshire Star in peace.
Unfortunately not if you live in the Reabrook, Springfield and Sutton area of Shrewsbury. My neighbours and I do realise that this problem is not unique to us.
Lots of areas are faced with packs of what I would call part-time feral youngsters from the age of 11 to 16 who roam the streets after dark with scarves over their faces, smashing bottles, smoking, drinking alcohol, kicking cars, turning waste bins over and being abusive to all in their way.
The council is not interested. It has other priorities such as extracting money from motorists who overstay in the town’s car parks.
The police are a total waste of time.
They send a very co-operative community support officer who gets here on a bus hours or days after the incidents.
As for the local MP, no chance. There is no photo opportunity in it for him.
The only solution we see is that the offenders are named and shamed, the parents then forced to attend parenting evenings with these kids. If they don’t, tax credits and DSS payments should be stopped.
We have had enough. We work hard for what we have. A solution has to be found or do we have to set up vigilante groups?
Now that you have read this, ask yourself: “Where is my child tonight?”
Name and address supplied
22 Comments
What are our local councillors doing this problem?
They’re willing enough to take their allowance (paid for by us taxpers)but they’re not so willing to put their
‘election time promises’ into action.
Instead of promoting themselves at ever opportunity, councillors should be working hard for the residents in their wards.
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We are hearing this more and more but what do we read….the police say that the number one fear of citizens is……speeding motorists…perhaps speeding motorists are easier to catch and less threatening than disruptive teenagers?
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sadly many of these kids are not benefit recieving families but both parents out at work not knowing where there teanager is its no good sticking your head in the sand and saying stop benefits these are probably your neighbors kids
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I fuly agree with your sentiments regarding the ever escalating problem of unruly youth gangs. Its an issue that has sadly become a country-wide epidemic.
I do happen to work with the Police as my capacity as a Parish Councillor in Telford and although the Police and CSO’s do semi-regularly attend situations; most times things such as anti-social behaviour, vandalism to our local Church, drinking, etc continue on a day to day basis.
If you read in a recent issue of the Star, Telford Crown court issued an ASBO to an unruly teenager in Donnington who caused issues despite being awarded an ASBO since 2005; recently the ASBO has been extended to 2010. The teen wears the ASBO “like a badge of honor” and knows full well that despite continuing complaints from frightened residents, mainly elderly, the issues persist.
I do think you have the right attitude: communites in the US who have similiar problems have a name and shame policy; likewise families who do gain benefits and do not work but allow their unruly kids to cause such behaviour are given orders to curb teen behavour or otherwise loose their status; even their homes. I can see a time when vigilante groups are sent up; but then we face the prospect of repeat situations like the trajedy in Liverpool.
The whole country needs to make a united stand to stop this escalating tide. I recall a time I could walk around my community at night in safety. Nowadays I won’t go to parts of it unless accompanied. No resident should have to feel that way. Maybe the Star should run a campaign to highlight the issues of teen/youth ASB from different parts of the County to gain an overall perception and also invite the Police and Authorities to give explaination as to why the problems are allow to carry on.
Darren Blackburn: Member of Lawley and Overdale Parish Council. Telford
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How come the British authorities say they can deal with Iraqi terrorists and the Taliban but seem to find it hard to sort out Feral gangs on British housing estates ?
What a mamby pamby society we are becoming and for the sake of what - political correctness and ‘human rights’ no doubt !!!
The word ‘will’ and ‘determination’ come to mind here and the fact it is lacking plays a big part in tackiling these thugs !!!!
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walking home at dusk the other day, group of teenagers approaching. usual appearance and manner.
jeans, hoodies. I stepped aside to let them pass. Young lad said thankyou. More than I get from my own age group generally.
I have been engaged in youth work over the past 30 years in Kings Cross, london among other places. I have never once felt threatened or been let down by any of the young people I came across.
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Many years ago,I used to live on Wenlock Road just along from the entrance to Springfield Estate. In those days, Sutton Farm and the whole area was a very pleasant, quiet place to live. A complaint of unruly behaviour or anything anti-social would have brought an immediate response from the local Policeman who lived a few doors away from me. He was out and about on his bicycle at all hours, he knew everyone and he got into every knook and cranny on his beat, what a sorry state has come to pass with our Police Force who seem totally incapable of knowing what our society want and how best to respond to anti social behaviour.
I have said it before, I will say it again, they have lost the plot but still they want an above inflation increase in our Council Tax this time around.
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Congratulations to Darren Blackburn for having the bottle to put his head above the parapets.He is quite right in much of what he says. However I feel it will be sooner rather than later that we see vigilantes on our streets. What we need to combat this threat is strong and decisive action from our representatives. If they continue to fail us then vigilantes it will be followed by a total breakdown of all law and order.
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Could not dissagree more with D Blackburns comments concerning his local area.
This also happens to be my local area. In contrast to the apparent sedentary lifestyle of
D Blackburn. My husband and I have the great privilage of being born and raised in Lawley Bank and surrounding locale as have our children their spouses and our grandchildren.
I am proud to boast I have been actively involved in local community organisations and events
for over four decades in this area. Including youth groups which are run voluntarily by committed caring individuals and are held regularly at the only available venue in the area, Dawley Baptist Church. It is dissapointing that
D Blackburn chooses to negate the work of selfless adults who don’t just moan about ‘youngsters on the Bank’ but give their precious time energy and experience in providing a safe secure environment and sound moral guidance for our future generations.
There is no where in my locality that I or my family will not walk at any hour day or night.
There have always been ‘wronguns’ in society and my family have been on the receiving end of pain and anguish caused by mindless violence. However this only served to strengthen our resolve. Sadly there are too many D Blackburns who continue to berate others and focus on the negative.
We would not live anywhere else in the world than this place were we have laughed and cried,were, five generations of our family have lived and died and were we applaud new positive initiatives which embrace all generations.
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I think the post from Cllr Carol Williams of Dawley is a little too rose tinted for my liking.
Good on her for spending time working with her community and good on her for being able to walk around her local community at any time of day or night and feel safe - I wish we could all say the same. Not every area is the same Carol, not every area has the luxury of having dedicated selfless individuals who will give up their time to put something back into their local community - this situation certainly doesnt make D Blackburn wrong - its just a different situation and should be acknowledged as such.
Our entire local government should all be singing off the same hymn sheet here, not point scoring about who is the better councillor and who has the better area (no reference to either posts I would like to add!) - we should all be working together to make our towns and villages safe places to live, where respect is given to residents and where young people can be themselves without all being labeled as ‘feral’ - dont forget not all young people are bad but get overshadowed by those who are!
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Read it again blue-eyes I think you may have missed the point. Children learn by example, poor parenting, lazy so called responsible adults living in their bedrooms does not a well balanced community make! Allowing fear to take hold when whats clearly needed is active positive involvment. I think some of us need to stop moaning and all of us to take pride and responsibility for our areas by getting out there to guide and nurture our future adults.
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Read it again blue eyes!
You have completely missed the point.
Young people are led by example.
Your closing comment is nothing short of patronising uninformed weak jibberish, proof of just how little you know and how much you have in common with D Blackburn!
It is clear you are not a selfless person such a shame sounds like your area needs some.
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Where is the example in modern C21st Britain where money and material gain is KING and where nearly every role model is anti-hero in attitude ?
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Gene - I havent completely missed the point - I have just disgreed with some of the viewpoints here - its not illegal and certainly didnt warrant that attack on my character about being a selfish individual!
I would also like to point out that I dedicate a lot of my time (in fact the last 6 years!)in voluntary work (as well as working full time), working with young people of today (the ‘wronguns’ as some people like to call them) to try and offer them guidance and support and help them lead more fulfilling lives so I would disagree with your comment about me not being a selfless person - I can boast about offering time to my local community - can you?
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The example you seek is within your power to set.
Heros’ are the thousands of brave men who gave their hearts and minds on the battle fields of two world wars so that you and I and others can sit here and moan.
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If I have to go out alone after dark, I equip myself with cosh that I will not hesitate to use. It is such a shame I have to resort to this for peace of mind
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Gene said:
‘Your closing comment is nothing short of patronising uninformed weak jibberish, proof of just how little you know and how much you have in common with D Blackburn!’
I would like to know how my comment is patronising, uninformed weak and full of jibberish - casting assumptions about my knowledge is patronising!
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From what I saw, or rather, didn’t see when I was on holiday there, your law enforcement presence is on stealth mode. Here in the States, we do have a lot of people in jail! I didn’t see much law enforcement presence except in Edinburgh because of the Tattoo and in London near the major tourist sites. I don’t mean to be critical of the police themselves. I am law enforcement and at times it is very frustrating because my colleagues and I are always saying, “If we were only allowed to do our job.”
Sometimes it is the fault of those higher up in the food chain within the organization. However, a lot of times it is those who provide us the funds or make the laws that frustrate us. However, I was taught in the academy that it all starts with officer presence…i.e. authoritative voice….clean uniform…..posture….being seen that will at least deter crime. I didn’t see that all. That might not be the force’s fault if they don’t have funding to be out there.
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Hey blue eyes chill out
one for all and all that.
Anger and bitterness never solved anything.
That’s were this whole debate started.
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Isaac, chilled is my middle name :>)
I just think if someone is going to start throwing around emotive comments that they need to be prepared to back them up……… people are all to quick to be defensive and totally agree that anger and bitterness solves nothing - I just think that its slightly ironic that the topic of discussion is about young people and respect and the (lack of it) yet some of the posters here seem to think that their opinion is the only one which counts……hey ho…..
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Good for you marco59. The message regarding “a smart,dignified, alert and authorative copper” has been totally lost over here.
Our Police generally, with a few exceptions and I include senior and Chief Officers have the resemblance to a wet through sack of tied in the middle rotting lettuce.
Years ago (1952) in the London Metropolitan Police the recruits were first told that half their job was done before they opened their mouths if they looked smart, disciplined and dignified. If they looked unimpressive, acted unimpressive they were going to be reacted to and treated with the disrespect that they deserved. Many years later, Sir Lawrence Byford (Chief Inspector of Constabulary) gave a lecture at the Police Staff College in which he said, in effect that if senior officers allowed their subordinates to look scruffy that was a greater adverse reflection on them than the scruffy officer. He forecast that if the appearance of the Police was allowed to deteriorate any further than what it was like then, they “had lost it”. His forecast has come true. With senior and Chief Officers with all the University degrees and no command and leadership experience, our Police are Fred Karnos, the Keystone Cops and the Egyptian Police all rolled into one, an utter shambles who hardly look like Police at all.
Is it any wonder that crime and disorder is now almost second nature over here with a Police that have “lost it”.
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Blue eyes certainly does appear to have a high opinion but does it count I think not.
Having world wide experience of law and order I agree with Stuart and his sentiments of appearance.
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