Top level meeting called to tackle the yobs

A TOP level meeting of politicians and police chiefs has been called in a bid to halt the creeping scourge of yob culture.

Anti social behaviour is blighting the lives of families in Sunnyside and Woodlaithes and now one young mum of two sleeps with a baseball bat by her side.

In a bid to tackle the problem, the meeting at Sunnyside Community Centre was called and chaired by independent ward councillor Peter Thirlwall and attended by Chief Supt  Richard Tweed, Inspector Richard Scholey from Maltby and Inspector Steve Tattershall from Rawmarsh, along with Wentworth MP John Healey.

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And they promised to tackle the problem after hearing that residents were “sick and tired” of yob behaviour by gangs of youths who were making their lives a misery.

Examples dating back 18 months include:-

People afraid to go out even in daylight.

Youths kicking cars, pushing walls down and throwing bricks, stones and bottles.

Youths taking pit bull dogs onto a community field and intimidating other dog walkers.

An elderly man and woman aged 73 and 78 assaulted.

An elderly woman surrounded by youths attempting to steal her handbag.

Damage to concrete lamp posts.

Hedgerows set on fire.

Evidence of drug and alcohol abuse and people  from East Crescent afraid to visit shops in Woodlaithes–a distance of around 300 yards.

Cllr Thirlwall told the meeting: “No one should have to put up with this behaviour and all agencies need to work together to make sure that people feel safe and secure in the areas where they live.”

He said having listened to residents’ stories, it was clear that not only did enforcement of the law need to be improved, but it should to go hand in hand with more provisions for the young people.

The meeting agreed that Sunnyside and Woodlaithes should become a police priority area with extra police resources being targeted.

The number of test purchases of alcohol in off licences in the area by minors is to be increased, and the borough council is to be asked to provide youth bus in the area, which acts as a mobile youth club.

Parish councillor Sue Ellis said it was obvious that people  wanted to be part of the solution and were prepared to play their part by setting up a neighbourhood watch scheme.

Cllr Thirlwall closed the meeting by saying that he was delighted with the undertakings given by the police and how they had listened to the views of all the residents.

The police agreed to come to a future meeting to see if the situation had improved.

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