Teen beauty spot drinkers are ramblers, not rebels
- Dave Burrows
Shrewsbury murder investigation site labelled a haven for drugs
Thursday 5th January 2012, 10:59AM GMT.
Signs at the Racecourse Crescent entrance to the Monkmoor Recreation Centre
A recreation ground at the centre of a murder investigation in Shrewsbury has become a haven for drug users and underage drinkers, a meeting has heard.
Residents living near Monkmoor Recreation Ground claim the area has become a ‘no-go zone’ as it is scattered with hypodermic needles, broken glass and condoms by groups who congregate in the evenings.
Their concerns were raised at a public meeting held at Forest Way Community Centre last night which was called to discuss security at the ground following the murder of Scott Cooke, 23, of Sutton Farm, Shrewsbury on December 27.
Three men have been charged with murder and are due to appear at Shrewsbury Crown Court on January 9.
Freddie Hale, who lives on Racecourse Crescent opposite the ground, said: “There is glass all over the tennis courts and there are hypodermic needles on the ground. Why has the council let it get into this state?”
Mother-of-two Lynne Ellis, from Monkmoor Road, whose property backs onto the ground, said anti-social behaviour had been going on there for years.
She said: “It is every single night and at weekends.
“I won’t let my 12-year-old son go in there alone. I think it is intimidating.”
Inspector James Dunn, for West Mercia Police, said the ground was not considered a ‘hot-spot’ for crime by police and the stabbing incident had been a ‘one-off’.
But he added patrols had been stepped up in the area since the death of Mr Cooke.
Peter Davies, principal leisure facilities manager for Shropshire Council, which owns the site, said the authority would be looking into the situation at the ground following reports of needles and broken glass.
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