10:40am Saturday 4th July 2009
By Lucy Tatchell
ANGRY residents have been told the only way they can tackle anti-social behaviour is to flood the police with complaints.
The comments were made at St Peter’s Parish Council after residents complained about the constant siege they are under from youths.
They claim youngsters play in the MUGA (multi-use games area) until late at night, drive recklessly around the car park and alcoholics congregate around the church.
One resident, who gave her name only as Sally, said: “We are getting fed up with what is happening.
“The MUGA is supposed to be closed at 9pm but they are playing into the night,” she said.
“There are bikers screaming around the car park and we have to live there. Someone give us some respect because it is not fair.”
In response Worcester city councillor Roger Knight said: “The only way we are going to overcome this is to flood the police with complaints then we will get the results we need.
“If there are no recorded complaints nothing will happen.
“I am not going to be intimidated by a bunch of youths involved in criminal activity.”
Unfortunately the local policing officer for St Peter’s, PC Katie Frankish, could not attend the meeting as she was consoling the family of Tony Ballard who drowned in the river Severn on Monday night.
But speaking after the meeting PC Frankish said flooding the police switchboard with calls would not help the situation.
Instead, she is asking residents to provide detailed information, including registration numbers of mopeds driving recklessly around the car park, so she can tackle the problems with anti-social behaviour orders and request an alcohol free zone. “There is so much I can do to advise people but I have no control of where resources are sent when I finish duty,” she said. “I want quality calls, not to be flooded with calls, so I can put the systems in place.”
Her advice to residents is to attend the PACT (partners and communities together) meetings to pass on details of anti-social behaviour.
Currently the PACT priorities for St Peter’s are anti-social behaviour around the MUGA and illegal parking.
The next PACT surgery is on Wednesday, July 29, at St Mark’s Church, from 10am to 12pm.
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