Yobs ruin Clifton Park fireworks

MARAUDING gangs of foul mouthed yobs turned  the council’s Clifton Park bonfire, into powder keg, a young mother claims.

Families with young children were put in fear and the evening was ruined by the troublemakers, she said.

Now Katie Leyland has fired off an official complaint about lack of security at Wednesday night’s event which attracted an estimated 7,000 visitors, mostly families.

She claims the night was ruined for her by drunken gangs, fighting among themselves, using obscene and racist language and intimidating the crowd.

Katie (32), from Meadowbank, who attended the bonfire with her husband and three-year-old son said: “It spoiled the night for me and a lot of other people. I will not be going again.”

But a council spokeswoman said that while “a small minority spoiled it for others,” it was not true there was a lack of security and troublemakers were dealt with.

Said Katie: “A lot of people had gone there for what was a family event and should have been a lovely night, but gangs of youths of around 20 strong were marching about and made it unpleasant.

“They were fighting among themselves, and one group, obviously under age, appeared to be drunk.

“There were racist and obscene comments targeted at an Asian group and it was not the sort of thing families with young children wanted to hear and see.

“Another group were stomping through the crowd just knocking people out of the way. Had anyone dared to complain, more troubled could have kicked off.

“But I only saw one woman PCSO all night apart from near the end when three police officers came into the park.

“We were concerned for our safety and felt threatened because the atmosphere was very intimidating.

“These youths made it a thoroughly unpleasant night and I have made a formal complaint about the lack of security.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We believe around 7,000 people attended the event, the majority of whom enjoyed the night.

“Unfortunately, there was a small minority who spoiled it but they were dealt with by police and council staff who were on site.

“There were 20 security staff round the fire and in addition there were PCSOs, police and park staff on duty. We understand one person was arrested for a public order offence.”

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