Anti-Social Britain

MIDLOTHIAN: Parents urged: Be responsible for your children

2007-10-14T16:11:00.000-07:00

Parents urged: Be responsible for your children

PARENTS in the Birkenside area of Gorebridge have been asked to ensure their children are not engaging in antisocial behaviour.

Birkenside Community Partnership chairman Councillor Jim Muirhead has also asked that anyone who witnesses intimidating behaviour reports it to the police.

Over the past few months a large group of youths has been congregating in the area and residents have been exposed to abusive language and sectarian chants, often into the early hours of the morning.

The youths are regularly drunk and have been responsible for smashing bus shelter windows, urinating in the shelters and even in the middle of the road.

A number of vehicles have been damaged in the last few months, while bottles have been smashed and bins overturned.

At the end of September the community noticeboard was smashed after being punched by a local youth, leaving blood splattered over the glass shards.

In an open letter to local residents, Councillor Muirhead said young children are being forced out of the park due to such behaviour and many dog walkers are having to pick up glass from areas youngsters play in.

Some residents have been on the receiving end of taunts. Councillor Muirhead said: "Some of this has been racist in nature and is completely unacceptable in any community and particularly in a small, close community like Birkenside."

He has discussed the issue with the police inspector who has agreed to use the Community Action Team to tackle the problem in addition to normal resources. Midlothian Council has also agreed to use Gorebridge community wardens to assist the police.

The council is to introduce a policy of automatically charging the perpetrators, or their parents, for the full cost of any damage to its property.

Efforts to tackle the problem have been supported by Gorebridge Community Council.

Councillor Muirhead stressed in his letter that while most young people in Birkenside are behaving well, he is concerned over the number of younger children copying the negative behaviour. The councillor said he had heard of at least one 13 year-old who had been trying to get adults to buy alcohol for them.

He said: "Birkenside has been a good community to be brought up in, yet we now have people who are considering selling their houses because they are fed up with some of our own people who are throwing our efforts back in our face. Hopefully over the next few weeks we will see an improvement in the situation and a return to normality that we all want.

Community Inspector John McGill said the CAT team provided a robust police presence in Birkenside, Woodburn and Danderhall last weekend, making a significant impact on antisocial behaviour.

On Friday, police confiscated three bottles of wine, seven bottles of Buckfast, 11 litres of cider and 42 cans of lager from youths in Birkenside.

The Community Inspector emphasised the youths involved were local, and added: "Parents need to ask themselves where their children are in the evening, and what they have been doing, especially when they come back smelling of alcohol.

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Parents-urged-Be-responsible-for.3360817.jp

BRADFORD: Pupils learn about Respect

2007-10-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

Pupils learn about Respect

Pupils at a primary school are being invited to present their ideas on tackling anti-social behaviour to their Bradford Council-led local neighbourhood forum.

The nine to ten year-olds at Wilsden Primary will be learning about the Respect programme, launched by the Government to promote good behaviour.

Bradford became a designated "Respect" area in January, meaning the district gets extra cash to cut down on anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.

The discussion groups are going to be carried out during Not In My Neighbourhood Week, which starts on Monday and is a national campaign being organised by the Home Office to help people reclaim their communities.

The idea for the campaign is being led by the Bradford District Safer Communities Partnership which involves Bradford Council, the police, and other agencies.

Crime reduction partnerships such as the one in Bradford are encouraging local people to join forces and say no to crime, burglary, robbery, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and drug misuse.

Leading the discussions will be Jane Hughes, assistant area co-ordinator for Shipley, and Linda Cleveland, Bradford's safer communities officer, who has organised the activities at Wilsden Primary School for pupils in year five.

They will be asked what anti-social behaviour means to them and how they think such behaviour can be prevented.

The Telegraph & Argus reported in January how Bradford would receive upwards of £250,000 in Government funding to spend on tackling anti-social behaviour following the district's selection as a Respect Action Area.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/newsindex/display.var.1757290.0.pupils_learn_about_respect.php

NORWICH: Neighbours unite to fight yob behaviour

2007-10-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Neighbours unite to fight yob behaviour

A major crackdown is about to be unleashed on street drinkers, drug users, and dangerous cyclists in a part of the city which has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

The three priorities were adopted by the newly launched West Centre Safer Neighbourbood Team last night at their first meeting at the Vauxhall Centre at Johnson Place.

People were given a chance to raise concerns at the Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (SNAP) meeting about problems in the area. The priorities were were to target anti-social behaviour, rubbish, tenancy and security issues and drugs in the West Pottergate and Paragon Place area.

The meeting, which was chaired by Janet Bearman, a city councillor for Town Close ward, also resolved to stamp out street drinking, rough sleeping and drugs between Westwick Street and Oak Street and to clamp down on cyclists riding on the path on Earlham Road.

Marilyn Hindry, who lives on Paragon Place, said a group congregates on the corner where she lives and she faces people urinating, dealing drugs, and rowdy behaviour on a daily basis.

She said: “Everything is getting so much on top of me and they wake me up all hours of the night so I never get any sleep, something needs to be done.”

The West Centre team covers an area of the city which stretches north to the River Wensum and South to Newmarket Road.

Many residents brought up problems with fly tipping, noisy and troublesome behaviour and drink and drug issues but the packed-out meeting roared with agreement over the problem with cyclists riding on the paths.

John Lear, left, who lives near Earlham Road and is on the panel, said: “I've nearly been run over outside my front gates and I've got friends who are elderly or with pushchairs, and I worry about their safety. The situation is out of control and it's a no man's land.”

For the next three months cyclists biking on the pavement in the Earlham Road area will be handed leaflets urging them not to use the footpath. The team will give an update to residents at their next meeting on Monday, January 21, 2008, at St Peter's Hall, at 7pm.

PCSO Paul Anderson, part of the West Centre SNT, said it was a very productive first meeting. He said: “The priorities they have adopted are an extension of the hot spots which we are already working on.”

A total of 19 teams have been rolled out across Norfolk Constabulary's Central policing area to tackle issues which affect everyday quality of life.

Further information about Safer Neighbourhood Teams is available at www.safernorfolk.co.uk

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/News/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=enonline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED13%20Oct%202007%2011%3A41%3A58%3A317

BEDFORD: Youth charged over hoax 999 calls

2007-10-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

Youth charged over hoax 999 calls

A teenager has been charged with wasting police time following an investigation into hoax 999 calls.

A helicopter and dog handlers were called out on 20 September in Bedford after reports a man had been killed.

A 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been traced over the false reports and is due to appear at Bedford Youth Court on 17 October.

Two 14-year-old youths, also arrested in connection with the incident, have received formal reprimands from police.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/7043042.stm

CARDIFF: Laughing yob ‘saw bus robbery as joke

2007-10-14T16:05:00.001-07:00

Laughing yob ‘saw bus robbery as joke’

A callous thief laughed as he robbed two teenagers on a bus and punched the good Samaritan who came to their aid.

Police said the sick offender and his cowardly friends, who were captured on CCTV, seemed to think robbing and terrifying the bus passengers was “amazing” and “a joke”.

Detectives have released footage of the evening attack on the number 57 Cardiff central bus station to Pontprennau service in a bid to capture the robber and trace the brave woman who risked her safety to intervene and even gave the teenage victims £5 to replace the money stolen from them.

The man, said to have black, cracked teeth, threatened to assault the 16-year-old boy and girl sat at the back of the bus before stealing from them.

Then he was confronted by the blonde female passenger, but he punched her in the face, pushing her head back and causing it to hit the side of the bus.

Detective Constable Andy Church from Rumney CID said the three men boarded the bus in St Mary Street, Cardiff, at around 9pm, on Thursday.

They sat apart and CCTV pictures show the offender wandering up and down the bus aisle before sitting down next to the teenage victims at the back.

DC Church said: “He engages them in conversation, initially quite pleasantly, but then he starts threatening them.

“He asks to look at the boy’s phone, asks if they’ve got any money and becomes more verbally aggressive.

“When it turns nasty the girl shouts at the driver to stop the bus, but he thinks they’re larking around and doesn’t take much notice.

“The lad seems to think ‘this is great’.

“He thinks it’s amazing that he can rob people and threaten people.

“He thinks it’s a joke.

“When the woman intervenes he thinks it’s a joke and he punches her.

“He just thinks it’s amusing that he can steal property and put people in fear of travelling on public transport.”

The offender and his two friends left the bus near Llanedeyrn Primary School, Llanedeyrn Drive, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff.

The thief took the boy’s mobile phone and MP3 player and stole £5 from the girl.

He was white, aged in his late teens or early 20s and around 5ft 2in tall.

He had dark hair, a small goatee beard, black cracked teeth and wore a black tracksuit.

One of his friends was aged in his early 20s and blond. He was of a larger build and wore a red top with blue three-quarter-length jeans.

The other man had dark hair and wore a grey top.

A Cardiff Bus spokesman said: “Cardiff Bus has a zero tolerance policy towards this kind of behaviour and considers the safety of its passengers and staff as its number one priority.

“We are therefore appalled by the behaviour of these youths and wholeheartedly support the police in their efforts to catch the perpetrators.

“By the end of the year all Cardiff Bus vehicles will be fitted with CCTV cameras, with the vast majority of our fleet having them at present.”

If you witnessed the attack or can help trace the offender and his friends, call Rumney CID on 029 2077 4233.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2007/10/13/laughing-yob-saw-bus-robbery-as-joke-91466-19944073/

MANCHESTER: Curfew for yob who chased Street star

2007-10-14T16:04:00.001-07:00

Curfew for yob who chased Street star

A ROAD rage yob who pursued terrified Coronation Street star Beverley Callard for two miles while throwing objects at her car has been condemned by magistrates.

Imran Alam, 23, 'cut up' and intimidated the actress as he chased her silver Mercedes convertible.

Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how Alam followed Miss Callard's car as she drove to work at Granada Studios.

For two miles, starting on Princess Parkway, near Moss Side, Alam and his passenger in a Toyota Corolla threw objects at her car, which she said sounded like `nuts and bolts' bouncing off the roof.

Jennifer Baines, prosecuting, said Miss Callard, 49, was also 'cut up' and forced to brake heavily.

Sickness

Alam, of Downham Road, Heaton Chapel, Stockport, didn't turn up for his trial last week, claiming sickness, and the case went ahead without him. He was convicted in his absence of driving without due care and behaviour causing harassment, alarm and distress.

Sentencing him yesterday, court chairman Neil Farnell said: "It must be absolutely terrifying for people to endure this sort of behaviour. It will not be tolerated."

Alam was given a six-month curfew, keeping him indoors between 10pm and 7am, and seven points on his licence. He was also told to pay £350 costs.

Audrey Martin, defending, said she would be lodging an appeal against conviction and sentence. Outside court Alam said he was `disgusted' with the decision and claimed he did not know who Miss Callard was, adding: "I have never watched Coronation Street in my life."

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1019620_curfew_for_yob_who_chased_street_star?rss=yes?rss=yes

YORKSHIRE: Huge cost of school crime in region revealed

2007-10-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

Huge cost of school crime in region revealed

Fire fighters tackle the blaze at
Airedale High School, Castleford,
in January 2007

CRIMINALS targeting Yorkshire schools have cost the region a shocking £9m through burglaries, vandalism and arson attacks in the past two years.

A Yorkshire Post investigation has revealed that more than £2m property has been stolen and youths deliberately burning down school buildings have caused more than £5m damage.

Teachers warn that the incidents cause massive disruption to the education of children at schools affected.

And the situation has become so bad in some areas of the region that schools are hiring private security firms in an attempt to avoid becoming victims of crime.

Figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show there have been 1,580 burglaries and 2,277 vandal attacks carried out on Yorkshire schools in the past two academic years.

One police officer told the Yorkshire Post that schools are "soft targets" for criminals because valuable property such as laptops and whiteboards are left in empty buildings during evenings, weekends and holidays.

But police and firefighters say much of the crime could be avoided if schools were better designed to make intruders more visible and contained sprinkler systems.

Stuart Edwards, a crime reduction officer at South Yorkshire Police, said the police should be consulted more often about the design of new school buildings.

He said: "It varies – some local authorities involve us at an early stage and we are in a position to offer our experience and knowledge in making recommendations to design out crime. But unfortunately that is not always the case and it is very frustrating."

Bradford, Leeds and Kirklees have been among the areas worst affected by burglaries and vandal attacks on schools.

There have been 436 burglaries in Bradford schools since the start of the 2005-6 academic year costing £700,000.

Peel Park Primary School at Undercliffe is one of several schools in the city which has a private security firm patrol its site in an evening. It has also spent about £50,000 on roller shutters for its doors and windows after being repeatedly targeted by thieves stealing computer equipment.

Its administrator Sharon Longmire said the extra security had stopped break-ins but the school was still being vandalised and having lead stolen from its roof.

A head teacher at a Keighley school, who asked to remain anonymous, said her school had abandoned using a security firm, costing £350 a month, as it did not deter vandals.

She said: "Our site is so big that a guard could be one side of the school and not see what was happening at the other. We have spent £20,000 replacing glass windows that have been smashed. We have replaced glass with perspex and put grills on the windows.

"The problem is caused by shopkeepers selling alcohol to under-age drinkers, 14 and 15-year-olds."

She said the constant vandalism had led to parents withdrawing their children from the school.

Pam Milner, the NASUWT's national executive member for West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and York, said: "This crime undermines everything that teachers are trying to do and everything that the children are trying to do... It is a massive disruption on a child's education."

Two fires started by teenage arsonists at schools in West Yorkshire during the last academic year – at Baildon, near Bradford, and Castleford – involved about £5m damage.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been campaigning for eight years for sprinklers to be fitted to all new or refurbished schools to prevent arson attacks becoming devastating.

A spokesman said: "We do not expect sprinkler systems to be fitted into all schools because it would cause such disruption but this Government is embarking on the biggest school rebuilding programme since the 1960s so this is a huge opportunity to get sprinklers into all new schools.

"We have agreements with all five education authorities in West Yorkshire that sprinklers will be installed in their new buildings."

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Huge-cost-of-school-crime.3375754.jp

PAISLEY: GRAFFITI VANDALS GO ON RAMPAGE

2007-10-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

GRAFFITI VANDALS GO ON RAMPAGE

POLICE are on the trail of mindless vandals who ran riot in Paisley town centre.

Ugly graffiti was daubed on shops and in tenement closes in New Street, with businesses in nearby Weighhouse Close and part of the High Street also targeted.

The bright green graffiti was made using spray-paint and appears to be gang ‘tags’ which neds use to leave their own unique mark.

Vandals struck overnight in an area that is covered by town centre spy cameras.

Among the businesses which suffered at the hands of the yobs were historic pub The Bull Inn and its neighbouring bar, Paddy Malarkey’s.

A member of staff at The Bull Inn said: “The vandalism happened overnight and it’s disappointing.

“We have to remove the graffiti, which takes a bit of scrubbing.”

Graffiti is seen as one of Paisley’s biggest anti-social problems, with Glasgow Road, Moss Street, Causeyside Street and Neilston Road being favourite targets of the vandals.

The sides of tenement buildings in Glasgow Road are a particular target and few of these are ever free of the marks.

One 47-year-old Paisley worker said: “I travel into town along Glasgow Road and it looks like virtually every building has graffiti on it. The vandals appear to go to a lot of trouble to leave their mark behind.

“There are quite a few walls where they must have climbed on to a roof to spray the graffiti. It’s an eyesore and it’s depressing.”

Renfrewshire Council has a dedicated graffiti squad that aims to quickly remove all daubings from buildings once they are reported. The service is free of charge.

Police at Paisley have said they are aware of the problem and an initiative to tackle graffiti is currently under way.

http://icrenfrewshire.icnetwork.co.uk/pde/news/tm_headline=graffiti-vandals-go-on-rampage&method=full&objectid=19942161&siteid=63858-name_page.html

HALIFAX: 'Ambush alley attack on bus'

2007-10-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

'Ambush alley attack on bus'

Danger: a minibus navigates
road cones where the ambush happened

POLICE were today hunting a gang of yobs who carried out a violent attack on a bus full of passengers.

The youths used roadwork cones to block off the slip road leading from King Cross Street on to Burdock Way in Halifax – then hurled a brick straight through the windscreen.

As the glass smashed, the female driver of the minibus swerved, crashing into a car.
She is still off work with shock after the attack.

Police today revealed they had had several reports of youths moving the cones from the roadworks on Burdock Way to block off the slip road or yobs throwing cones at passing vehicles.

http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/39Ambush-alley-attack-on-bus39.3375093.jp

RUGBY: Robbers wake up residents at gunpoint in two raids

2007-10-14T15:43:00.001-07:00

Robbers wake up residents at gunpoint in two raids

ROBBERS burst into two homes in the early hours of this morning (Friday) and threatened the occupants with guns.

Police are investigating whether two burglaries that occurred within minutes of each other in Binley Woods may be linked.

In the first incident, three men broke into a flat in Arden Court, Court Leet, and pointed what was believed to be a handgun at the occupants.

They stole £50 and a mobile phone.

A police spokesperson said: "It's believed the males arrived in a stolen red Ford Escort Saloon and this was later discovered abandoned in the middle of Woodlands Road with the lights on and wipers going.

"This vehicle was stolen sometime between 2pm and 8.10pm on Thursday, October 11 from Squires Road in Stretton on Dunsmore, Rugby.

"The three males are described as Asian males wearing hoodies, scarves and gloves. One of the males is described as being around 18 years old, clean shaven, slim build and approximately 5'8" tall. The other two are described as slim and wearing dark clothes."

About the same time, burglars broke into a house in Saxon Close.

A police spokesperson said: "After searching the property the burglars stole the keys to a blue BMW 325D M SPORT saloon registration number FR03 WEN from an upstairs bedroom where the occupants were sleeping.

"The offenders are believed to have jumped over a locked garden gate before using the keys to steal the BMW from the driveway. As they drove off they collided with an unattended stationery vehicle knocking the wing mirror off it.

"The occupants discovered the burglary shortly after it occurred."

Police were called at 3.37am and alerted patrols cars to search the area.

Extensive police enquiries are being made into both incidents and any witnesses are please asked to contact DC 108 Vinod Dhokia in Rugby CID on 01788 541111 ext 3771 or voicemail 10108. You can also provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11

http://www.rugbytoday.co.uk/news/Robbers-wake-up-residents-at.3374589.jp

South Yorkshire Police - Press Release - Sheffield 1

2007-10-12T14:29:00.001-07:00

South Yorkshire Police - Press Release - Sheffield 1

Dispersal orders are being extended as part of a drive by South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council to curb anti-social behaviour in the run up to Bonfire Night.

In past years anti-social behaviour particularly involving fireworks has made life insufferable for some residents in Sheffield. Local residents may also be victims of noise nuisance, criminal damage and arson.

As a direct result South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council have jointly agreed and designated certain areas of Sheffield under section 30 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003.

As part of Operation Mischief South Yorkshire Police and Sheffield City Council have extended some of the existing section 30 boundaries to include the Wybourn , Darnall, Tinsley and Firth Park areas, these orders will run from Friday 12 October 2007 to Friday 9 November 2007 inclusive.

Section 30 notices are already in existence across the city in the following areas: Manor, Arbourthorne, Shiregreen, Handsworth, Richmond and Woodthorpe. These orders came into force on the 1 July and will run until 31 December 2007, with the exception of Shiregreen that runs from 1 July to 30 November 2007.

Since the section 30 dispersal orders came in to force in July the results have been encouraging. Up to the end of September 400 people have been officially warned to disperse across all the section 30 areas, and 21 people have been arrested for breach of the section 30 Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003.

Police officers have the power to take action against people acting or likely to act in an anti-social manner by directing them out of these areas. Those who fail to do so or who return may be arrested and taken to court. In addition young people under sixteen years of age who are in those areas between 9pm and 6am without a responsible adult may be taken home or to another place of safety.

Chief Inspector Rachel Barber leading this policing operation said "Dispersal orders have proved extremely effective in tackling the criminal use of fireworks and other anti-social behaviour during this period. We're encouraging people to think about the consequences of what they do at this time of year, you might think its just a bit of fun, but you could end up with a criminal record, or seriously injuring someone."

Councillor Mazher Iqbal, Cabinet Advisor for Safety at Sheffield City Council said: "We welcome these extensions to the dispersal orders and we will work with the police to make sure they are enforced. The Council is committed to making people feel safer and dispersal orders help with this. They are not a curfew; people can carry on with their normal business, and be reassured that the police have extra powers to deal with those people who persist in causing trouble."

South Yorkshire Police are working in partnership with Sheffield City Council , South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue, and other agencies to keep communities safe during this period. Anyone in Sheffield who wants to report anti-social behaviour problems should call 101.

http://southyorks.police.uk/news/details.php?id=5413

SWINDON: Yobs put shop under siege

2007-10-12T14:27:00.000-07:00

Yobs put shop under siege

A SHOP owner locked himself and a PCSO in his store while a gang of 25 youths ran riot.

Three of the yobs were also inside the shop while the ones outside, hiding their faces with hoodies and scarves, smashed the front window and shouted abuse.

The owner of Nythe Mini Market says that a dispersal order which came into effect at the beginning of the month has had an adverse effect with more problems than ever.

Arumugam Raveendran said: "Since January we have had a sign on the door that says no under 18s are allowed after 7pm and until this month that has worked well.

"On Wednesday night there were 25 of them out there. Three of them came in and when we told them they couldn't they started shouting and making violent threats.

"We rang 999. They tried to attack me so we locked the door.

"A PCSO came and we let him in but he couldn't deal with it so he called for police."

Within five minutes three police cars had turned up and the gang ran off.

The incident at the Nythe Drive shop happened just before 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Mr Raveendran said: "There were about 25 of them and they are not local, they are from Park North, Penhill and West Swindon.

"Some of them are already banned from the shop and we know them."

He says the majority of the group, which was made up of boys and girls, were under 18.

As reported in the Adver at the time a dispersal order covering the area came into force on October 1.

The six month order means police have the power to move on any groups causing trouble.

But Mr Raveendran said: "How come you can have 25 people like that when there's a dispersal order?

"They were shouting and all drunk and I was very scared.

"When they started kicking the window it sounded like the whole shop was coming down.

"The PCSO was here and he couldn't stop them."

Coun Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Nythe) said: "If the police can't enforce a basic dispersal order they're not doing their job properly.

"Residents want to be reassured they will deal with this when there is an issue."

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/swindonnewsheadlines/display.var.1757726.0.yobs_put_shop_under_siege.php

CHATTERIS: Yobs attack cars during disturbance

2007-10-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

Yobs attack cars during disturbance

A GANG of yobs attacked cars and pulled down hanging baskets in a late night disturbance.

Police are now appealing for witnesses after the criminal damage on East Park Street, in Chatteris.

Between 10pm, on Friday, September 7, and 8.40am, on Saturday, September 8, three vehicles parked on the street were damaged.

A trio of cars had wing mirrors broken off or badly damaged.

One of the cars also had a window scratched.

Hanging baskets were also ripped off the front wall at Performance Auto Spares.

Pc Lisa Marston said: “We know that a group of up to 20 men were in the area on the evening of the damage.

“Some of these men have already been identified and I would urge anyone who was in this group to contact me as they may have information about these crimes.”

n Anyone with information can call Pc Marston at Chatteris police station on 0845 456 4564 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

WIGAN: Yobs stone firemen

2007-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

Yobs stone firemen

Firemen were attacked by gangs of youths on two emergency call outs in Wigan.

Yobs, some believed to be as young as 10, hurled stones, a metal bar and other missiles at firefighters as they tried to put out separate fires on wasteland in Beech Hill.
Most of Wigan's fire engines are fitted with CCTV cameras to record evidence of any hostility towards firemen, but both incidents were attended by a reserve fire engine, not fitted with the equipment.
No firefighters were injured, but a fire engine was hit by a steel rod and a large battery.
Firemen are appealing to members of the public to name and shame the youths and prevent them from carrying out further attacks.
In each incident around six youths were involved, aged from 10-15.
Firemen were attacked on Sunday afternoon and again on Tuesday evening.

Steve Pattyson, watch commander for Blue Watch at Wigan fire station, said: "At 3.30pm on Sunday we were called out to a small deliberately started fire on open land off Spruce Road, Beech Hill, and around half a dozen youths threw stones at us.
"On Tuesday at around 8pm the same thing happened again as we attended a fire on open land at the top of Forest Avenue in Beech Hill. Again this was a small deliberately started fire and again half a dozen youths of a similar age threw missiles at us.
"There have been several other previous incidents in the Beech Hill area.
"We would like to ask parents if they know where their children are and what they are doing.
"The fire service is taking a tougher line on attacks on firefighters and these kids could face court appearances.
"It is a pity we couldn't get any footage of the individuals involved."
Police have been informed of both incidents.

The borough's six main fire engines were fitted with CCTV cameras in January, at a cost of £18,000, in a bid to reduce incidents of arson, attacks on firemen and thefts from fire engines.
Incriminating video footage is passed on to police and Wigan council's anti-social behaviour unit to be used as evidence in court to prosecute offenders.
Between April and November last year there were 18 incidents across the borough involving hostility towards firemen.
These included youths hurling bottles and bricks at firefighters as they tried to put out previous blazes in Beech Hill.
Last month a gang of 20 drunken youths pelted firemen with bottles and stones as they battled to control a fire on land of High Street, Golborne.

Anyone with any information about the attacks on firemen in Beech Hill or the identity of the offenders is asked to call Firestoppers on 0800 923 9999.

http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news/Yobs-stone-firemen.3374359.jp

MERSEYSIDE: Trojan Horse to catch yobs

2007-10-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

Trojan Horse to catch yobs

YOBS who attack fire crews are being targeted by a Trojan Horse engine carrying police officers.

The pilot scheme has been launched after the latest attack on Merseyside fire crews when a petrol bomb was hurled at an engine tackling a rubbish blaze early yesterday in Caldway Drive, Gateacre.

Merseyside is leading the UK in the initiative, in which Merseyside police officers, police anti-social behaviour taskforce staff and members of the Fire Service Threat Response Group will ride with fire crews on board engines.

Well-known hotspot areas will be targeted and the first outing took place in Belle Vale yesterday.

Youths swore at fire staff who were tackling a blaze in a playground and two were arrested for alleged drug and public order offences.

Superintendent John Myles said: “These criminal acts clearly have ser-ious consequences to members of the fire service and local communities they are there to protect.

“That is why we are determined to work together to tackle this menace and bring those offenders responsible to justice.”

Chris Case, who heads up the Threat Response Group, added: “We do a lot of excellent work with young people across Merseyside, including fire-fighters working in schools and organising diversionary activities in the community.

“But there is a small minority who continue to put the lives of crews and the public at risk by attacking them while they are carrying out an important service. We want them to know this will not be tolerated.”

In the past week a fire engine windscreen was smashed in Lingham Park, Wirral, and crews in St Helens needed a police escort to attend rubbish fires in Clock Face after they came under attack by youths.

The Fire Service warned yobs that the Trojan scheme will be used increasingly, particularly on the run-up to Bonfire Night.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/12/trojan-horse-to-catch-yobs-100252-19940664/

PORT GLASGOW: Neds start fire in school

2007-10-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Neds start fire in school

POLICE are hunting for neds who torched a petrol can in a Port Glasgow school.

The tin was taken from a cycle shed and set alight in St Stephen’s High, while pupils were in the building.

The janitor called the fire brigade and used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze, which happened at lunchtime on Friday.

Sergeant Andy Wilkinson, from Greenock police, said: “We are treating the case as wilful fire-raising.”

A spokesperson for Inverclyde Council said: “An incident took place at St Stephen’s on Friday afternoon where a fire was discovered within the external school grounds.

“The janitor dealt with the fire quickly and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue attended the scene. We are liaising with police as they progress their investigation into the incident.”

If anyone has information they should contact Greenock police on 492500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/article.php?sec=features&id=16044

LONDON: Train passengers 'gassed' by gang

2007-10-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

Train passengers 'gassed' by gang

Police want to trace three youths seen on the platform

A teenage gang sprayed a noxious gas into a busy train carriage leaving passengers gasping for breath.

Police said up to 30 people suffered breathing problems, sore eyes and throat irritation as a result of the attack in south-east London.

CCTV images of Penge East Station show one youth reaching through an open window of the carriage.

The teenagers were then seen directing a gesture of drawing their fingers across their throats at the passengers.

Medical treatment

Police said the 1552 BST Victoria to Orpington service was crowded with women, young children and elderly people when the gang struck on the afternoon of 20 July.

The trio boarded the train at Victoria and were later seen getting off at Penge East Station.

It is believed that he then sprayed a noxious substance similar to pepper spray into the carriage

Detective Constable Vanessa Cottington

Det Con Vanessa Cottington said: "As the doors were closing one youth standing on the platform is captured on CCTV reaching his hand into the open window of the carriage.

"It is believed that he then sprayed a noxious substance similar to pepper spray into the carriage.

"The youths then made a gesture of drawing their hands across their throats in a cutting action which was directed towards passengers in the carriage."

One person needed medical treatment while several others reported suffering the effects of the gas.

Police want to trace two white youths and a black youth seen on a bike at the time of the attack.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7041575.stm

NEWCASTLE: Drunken yobs strike fear into train users

2007-10-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

Drunken yobs strike fear into train users

A COUPLE from Stocksfield are calling for a greater police presence on the Tyne Valley railway line after an incident which they say left staff and passengers vulnerable.

During a journey home from Newcastle on the evening of Saturday, September 22, Peter and Christine Armstrong were intimidated by a group of drunken men, whose behaviour they describe as loud and unpleasant.

Two individuals from the group then went on to indecently expose themselves on the train, which was packed with passengers.

The couple, who live on Mount View Terrace, say the guard on the service was alerted and told them he’d contacted police with the hope that officers would board the train at Prudhoe. However none did.

In a letter to the Courant Mr and Mrs Armstrong said: “We are concerned that the absence of police attendance appears to suggest that anti-social behaviour is acceptable on public transport, and leaves passengers and railway workers vulnerable.

“We understand from a conversation with the guard that such drunken behaviour is common on the last train, and that active police response to railway workers’ requests for attendance is rare.

“We find this disappointing and would ask that more regular police monitoring of the situation be undertaken.”

Stocksfield Parish Councillor and chairman of the Tyne Valley Rail Users group, Malcolm Chainey, said: “Fundamentally we would all, as passengers, be truly alarmed at this kind of behaviour and it would no doubt discourage us from using trains.

“The rail users group have campaigned a lot on passenger safety and share the concerns of those, particularly women, who don’t feel safe.

“It’s an issue that needs to be addressed by the industry as a whole and all of the separate organisations need to pull together to sort problems like this out.”

In January last year, an initiative to combat anti-social behaviour on trains in the area, was launched by the British Transport Police and Northumberland County Council, with the full support of operator Northern Rail.

Under the plans, the council’s community wardens began joint patrols with BTP officers to act as a visible deterrent to crime and anti-social behaviour on trains and around local stations.

A spokesman for Northern Rail said: “We’d like to apologise to Mr and Mrs Armstrong for this unpleasant incident, which we take very seriously.

“We work closely with industry colleagues including the British Transport Police to tackle anti-social behaviour on the rail network.

“This includes employing a range of measures on this particular service such as high visibility police patrols and Northern’s rail security teams.

“The conductor requested British Transport Police to meet the train. However, unfortunately on this occasion they were attending other incidents.”

Inspector Iain McLaren of the British Transport Police said: “British Transport Police adopts a zero tolerance approach to anti social behaviour.

“BTP has dedicated teams of officers who patrol this route on a regular basis providing high visibility policing.

“Officers had been travelling on this service for six consecutive Saturdays prior to the incident and had eradicated anti-social behaviour and had been hugely successful in reassuring passengers and staff alike.

“I empathise fully with the passengers on this train who were subjected to this unacceptable behaviour.

“BTP has a positive arrest policy and our officers will continue to intervene and target this type of behaviour when it occurs where possible.

“We want the millions of passengers who depend upon the network to feel safe, as well as be safe when they are travelling, and I would urge passengers and staff to support our officers by reporting anti-social behaviour when they witness it rather than suffering in silence.

“The incident was reported to police. However it is very unfortunate that officers were dealing with another crime at the time and were therefore unable to attend.”

BTP are urging anyone with information or descriptions of those involved in the incident, which took place on the 9.06pm Newcastle to Carlisle train on September 22, to assist them with their enquiries on 01132 479 147.

http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=552400

CHIPPENHAM: Family terrified by yobs’ racist abuse

2007-10-12T02:30:00.000-07:00

Family terrified by yobs’ racist abuse

FEARFUL: Hamid Saeed says
his family are too afraid to leave
their home because of racist abuse

DAD Hamid Saeed says his family are too scared to go out because a gang of teenagers have been hurling racial abuse at them and throwing eggs at their front door.

Mr Saeed, who is originally from Pakistan, was looking forward to starting a life in Wiltshire after getting a job as an electronics engineer in Chippenham.

But the dad-of-three told of the torrent of racial abuse he has had to endure since moving into a rented house in Stock-wood Road in August.

He said: "My wife first encountered a group of youths outside the house. They were shouting racial abuse and making obscene gestures.

"They started calling us names and were very aggressive. The following week they started knocking at the door and shouting at us. At times they throw eggs at the door and run away. One boy stole a scooter from my seven-year-old son.

"I really am quite angry. My kids don't go out any more, neither does my wife.

"It's a shame because the area is so beautiful and we want to be able to go out and have a walk.

"It's disgraceful. I've lived in Manchester for four years and I've never encountered discrimination like this before.'' Mr Saeed moved to the country four years ago with wife Noshi Hamid, 35, their 13-year-old daughter, ten-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son.

He said: "My children's school work is suffering because of this stress and we just want it to stop."

Mr Saeed has called the police to report the anti-social and racist behaviour. He said: "There was talk of installing CCTV but I don't think that is happening. The police said there is nothing they can do."

A police spokesman said the Chippenham neighbourhood policing team has been patrolling and carrying out house-to-house inquiries but their search has so far proved fruitless.

They are appealing for witnessed to come forward.

http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1754238.0.family_terrified_by_yobs_racist_abuse.php

LONDON: I was blinded by mindless yobs

2007-10-12T02:15:00.000-07:00

I was blinded by mindless yobs

Out of sight ... Jay's faced his demons

AFTER a couple of seconds Jay Beckford finally identified the muffled sound getting closer and closer.

It was heavy footfalls, breaking the silence as he waited for the bell to ring outside his little sister’s school gate.

Suddenly 20 yobs flew round the corner into the street, and before Jay knew what was happening, they were on top of him, unleashing a wave of punches and kicks.

Mercifully, minutes later several teachers managed to pull Jay clear of the vicious thugs who had launched the sickening attack.

But due to several blows to the head it was too late to save his eyesight.

For Jay, a promising 16-year-old footballer with dreams of stardom playing in the Crystal Palace youth team, a living nightmare had begun.

Jay, now 27, recalls: �It was terrifying when I woke up in hospital and couldn’t see out of my left eye.

�For the next couple of days they did tests and brain scans to find out what was wrong.

�They discovered the left retina had detached during the brawl.

�The people who attacked me used to pick on me when I was younger.

"But on that occasion, for whatever reason, they went too far."

‘ all I could see was darkness ’

Desperate to save Jay’s sight, doctors operated to push the retina back into place and forced him to wear a patch for a week.

Jay says: �I’ll never forget going to have the patch removed.

�I was praying, ‘Please, please, please, let it be OK.’

�The patch came off and nothing happened. All I could see was darkness on the left, and I had partial vision on the right.

�I didn’t break down and cry, but my mind was reeling.

�All my hopes and aspirations for a career in soccer were dashed.

�In a matter of days my life crumbled.�

Jay grew up in Streatham, South London, which he says was "pretty tough" for a teenager - but was living and studying in Sevenoaks at the time he was set upon, and just visiting London for the day.

Ever since he was a tot Jay loved kicking a football and enjoyed watching his beloved Liverpool team on TV.

Looking back Jay believes sport provided him with an escape from the neighbourhood, where drugs and crime were commonplace.

And when he landed a place in the Crystal Palace Youth side at just 14-years-old, he remembers it being one of the happiest days of his life.

�It was such an exciting time," he says. �A man came to school and watched me play. Afterwards he said he was very impressed and asked me to come down for training.

�I loved every minute of it. We had fitness on Tuesday and ball skills on Thursday.

�We’d go along to watch Crystal Palace play at the weekend. I was living the dream.

�But the bubble burst when I couldn’t see the ball anymore.�

Cup winners ... Jay (front left) with Chelsea Community FC

Without his greatest passion, Jay lost interest in his college course, his friends and life in general.

It wasn’t long before he turned to alcohol and drugs for comfort and he soon spiralled out of control.

Jay says: �I had some vision in my right eye, but not enough to remain in mainstream football.

�I didn’t finish my studies and I began smoking cannabis and drinking in the pub nearly everyday.

�It was so hard to come to terms with the change in my life. Everything became a challenge.

�I fell in with the wrong crowd and eventually got into a bad fight in a pub.

�I got scared and moved back to London to live with my sister Kelly-Marie.

�My lust for life had disappeared. I was just existing and didn’t know what to do with myself.�

It was a routine eye check-up at Guy’s Hospital in London that helped turn Jay’s life around.

At his wit’s end, he began pouring his heart out to a concerned staff member.

She told him to contact Action for Blind People, an organisation providing support to the visually impaired.

Jay says: �I’d never even heard of the scheme before.

�They arranged a meeting with me and I applied to move into an AFBP house called Bradbury Oak in East Dulwich.

�Thankfully I got accepted and that’s where I’ve been for the past six years.

�It took me a while to settle but within twelve months I’d found my feet and was ready for a challenge

hat challenge was to get back on the football pitch.

‘ I felt like I was back where I belonged ’

Although Jay’s days at Crystal Palace were long over, he’d heard about a disabled team in Chelsea and made a few enquiries.

Jay says: �I went along to play for Chelsea Community FC and you’ve no idea how good it felt to be practising again.

�The other people around me were disabled too, so I didn’t feel paranoid.

�In my very first season we reached the league final at Stamford Bridge and won the Disabled Cup.

�It felt like I was back where I belonged.�

Not content with just playing football in his spare time, Jay now intends to make a career as a coach.

He recently completed the FA’s Level One Coaching certificate – the only disabled person to do so – and is also studying for an Access course in Maths and English.

Jays says: �I know I’ll never be a professional football, but through this job I might help someone else achieve their dream.

�That’s something very special.

�With coaching I can give so much back to kids who want to learn about soccer.

�If only the lads who caused my blindness could see me now.�

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/real_life/article330660.ece

LEWES: Shop a yob and win a prize

2007-10-12T02:05:00.000-07:00

Shop a yob and win a prize

A council is offering a free MP3 player and £100 in a bid to catch graffiti vandals.

Lewes District Council's clean and green team have undertaken a cleaning blitz to remove graffiti across the town of Lewes.

Now, in association with Currys digital in Lewes, the team is offering a new generation iPod Nano and £100 cash as a reward to anyone who can give information leading to the arrest and charge of the vandals whose 'tags' cost time and money to clear up.

Councillor David Gray, Lewes council's member for community and the chair of the crime reduction partnership, said: "The council is determined to minimise the impact of graffiti across the district.

"We will do this by undertaking regular targeted clean up with our clean and green team. However it would be better to prevent graffiti from happening in the first place.

"This is why we are offering £100 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible."

Anyone who has information about graffiti should call police on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1754765.0.shop_a_yob_and_win_a_prize.php

WORCESTER: Anti-social behaviour still a problem in Kempsey

2007-10-11T14:56:00.000-07:00

Anti-social behaviour still a problem in Kempsey

A WORCESTERSHIRE village is still experiencing problems with anti-social behaviour, despite efforts from the police.

There have been reports of graffiti, and youngsters making lots of noise around the Rocky, Kempsey.

Tiles on the roof of the village's pavilion were damaged after a number of items were thrown onto the building on Sunday night. PC Alan Naulls told Kempsey Parish Council his team are doing all they can to tackle anti-social behaviour, which has been a consistent problem in the area.

"We are still getting reports of anti-social behaviour," he said. "We have reports of youths in the Rocky area, not necessarily causing damage, but general noise and there has been some more graffiti in the village, and we are looking into that.

"Obviously, we are still carrying out evening patrols and we are still visiting the youth club and talking to people we meet in the street late at night."

West Mercia Constabulary figures showed there were 92 reported incidents of antisocial behaviour between 2005 and 2006, but this rose to 191 last year. In August Inspector Clive Griffiths said he believed the situation in Kempsey was improving after the number of recorded crimes plummeted in the summer months.

However, this recent spate of problems appears to show anti-social behaviour is still an issue for the village.

Your Worcester News previously reported how residents were feeling terrorised by groups of youths.

They said a yob culture had developed which had included youngsters setting fire to litter bins, scratching cars, trespassing in gardens and vandalising a conservation area.

lFifteen-year-old villager Jade Swainson was issued with a two-year criminal anti-social behaviour order in August banning her from entering parts of Kempsey after villagers complained of her behaviour.

The order also bans the teenager, who lives with her grandad in Old Road South, from harassing people or causing them distress and from encouraging others to do so.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/wnnewslatest/display.var.1754056.0.antisocial_behaviour_still_a_problem_in_kempsey.php

JERSEY: Mansell in yob terror

2007-10-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

Mansell in yob terror

Former world motor-racing champion Nigel Mansell is having to barricade himself inside his £6million mansion after being attacked by yobs.

The ex-Formula 1 ace has been beaten up and harassed by gangs rampaging across his land to get to rocks behind his cliff-top property on the island of Jersey.

Dad-of-three Nigel, 54, is now being forced to put up an 8ft steel fence around the house at Beauport, where the multi-millionaire and wife Rosanne live as tax exiles on the Channel Island.

The 1992 world champ said: "We're fighting to survive and live in our home.""

A source close to the family said: "The final straw was when one of these yobs went after his pet labradors.

"His garden has been trashed and when he comes out to ask these guys what they're playing at, they just yell at him to f*** off.

"There's a lot of animosity round here to English guys who just come over to avoid paying any tax at home, but this is ridiculous."

Nigel was once left with cuts and bruises after he was beaten up by four men taking a shortcut through his garden.

He added: "We've been told to get this new kind of fence by the police. It's the same type they use on high-security establishments in the UK."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/10/11/mansell-in-yob-terror-89520-19932098/

SHEFFIELD: 'Huge concern' over delinquent yobs

2007-10-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

'Huge concern' over delinquent yobs

Lawlessness: Council leader Jan Wilson slams yobs

Council leader Jan Wilson told today of her "huge concern" about the problem of delinquent youths - after three teenage thugs were jailed for serious crimes in just a few days.

Callum Daniels, from Manor, was detained for at least five years after admitting robbery, rape, sexual assault, escape and burglary.

The 15-year-old - whose own mum admits is out of control - gained the nickname 'Houdini', after repeatedly fleeing from custody.

Meanwhile, the city's top judge, Honorary Recorder of Sheffield Judge Alan Goldsack QC condemned the upbringing of Lewis Barlow, 14, and Leon Gray, 15, who kicked partially-sighted dad-of-five Colin Greenwood to death at Middlewood tram stop "for a bit of fun".

Both murderers were detained for a minimum of 12-and-a-half years.

Coun Wilson said: "Young people operating without boundaries is a huge concern. It's difficult to deal with - the council and no other institution can intervene 24 hours-a-day."

She said the key is tackling dysfunctional families - which frequently provide the background of young offenders.

Daniels, Barlow and Gray all had poor school attendance and Gray was expelled. Daniels was one of six children and his mum was a heroin addict.

Barlow was from a family of eight and Judge Goldsack said "neglect, poor supervision, poor school attendance and low level anti social behaviour" were all part of his background. He had started committing petty crimes from a young age.

Barlow told police he murdered Greenwood because he "would otherwise have faced ridicule, and that kicking and stamping on people was not unusual behaviour" on his estate.

He said Barlow and Gray, both of Winn Gardens, were typical of a growing problem - youths who are "out of control, amoral and prepared to use gratuitous and mindless violence on vulnerable people".

Coun Wilson said: "We establish the best mechanisms we can, through schools, police, youth offending team and drug intervention programmes, to get at the root of this problem, which is appallingly bad parenting.

"It is not just the parents of these young people but their parents, too - who were brought up believing there was no such thing as society and no boundaries."

Coun Wilson said intervention with problem families in Sheffield starts as early as birth, where midwives and health visitors help to identify youngsters at risk.

Coun Wilson said there are "pockets of lawlessness" in Sheffield but that the areas are "turning a corner" because residents are willing to give evidence about criminals - which is not the case in some other cities - and there is strong community spirit.

Rapist: Callum Daniels, 15

Killing: Leon Gray, 15

Murder: Lewis Barlow, 14

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/-39Huge-concern39-over-delinquent.3366457.jp

BURNLEY: Boozy yobs assaulted men

2007-10-11T14:49:00.000-07:00

Boozy yobs assaulted men

TWO drink-fuelled louts who attacked two men as they walked home from their first night out in Bacup have kept their freedom.

Burnley Crown Court heard how father-of-two Peter Lewis, 27, who has a record for assault, started the violence on victims Tristan Reuter and Darryl Witherington in the early hours of January 21.

Warehouseman James Regan then joined in and both victims were kicked and punched to the ground.

Lewis, of Hammond Avenue, Stacksteads, and Regan, 26,of Woodland Terrace, Bacup, had both been convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm, after a recent trial.

Lewis, a self-employed joiner, was given nine months in jail, suspended for two years, with the CALM programme and 180 hours unpaid work.

His co-defendant was given a 12-month community order with 180 hours unpaid work.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1752911.0.boozy_yobs_assaulted_men.php

MANSFIELD: Yobs making Stockwell Court residents' lives a misery

2007-10-11T14:47:00.000-07:00

Yobs making Stockwell Court residents' lives a misery

Flames take hold at the warehouse
fire on Spencer Street in April this year.

A FED-UP resident living at Mansfield's Stockwell Court flats says yobs, vandals and drug users are making his life a living hell.

Thirty-eight-year-old Jason Beet says drug users have taken over the flat stairwells and claims yobs are setting fire to a nearby warehouse on Spencer Street.

Angry Jason told Chad that despite numerous phone calls to police, nothing has been done to stem the increase in anti-social behaviour.

"I'm sick to death of it – someone has broken my garage gutter which will leave me with a damp roof soon," he said. "Even if the vandals are caught it will be me paying for the repairs.

'Intimidating'

"The warehouse has been set on fire several times – it makes it intimidating to live in such an environment. I just want to get on with my life and not be disturbed by these people – there are a lot of pensioners living in these flats which makes the problems even worse."

In 2005, the Mansfield flats complex underwent a £40,000 revamp to improve security, decrease the number of people sleeping rough and reduce the amount of drug dealers hanging around the property.

But Jason says although the problems cleared up in the short term, more needs to be done to clamp down on offenders.

"I have spoken to the police and made countless phone calls but no good has come of it – I appreciate they are very busy but the situation is infuriating," he said.

http://www.chad.co.uk/news/Yobs-making-Stockwell-Court-residents39.3366320.jp

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: ‘ASBOs need to be properly enforced’

2007-10-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

‘ASBOs need to be properly enforced’

MP Jim Paice has questioned the effectiveness of anti-social behaviour orders in the county as statistics reveal that half of them have been breached.

The figures also reveal that there have been no Individual Support Orders which can be attached to ASBOs given to 10 to 17-year-olds to address the underlying causes of anti social behaviour.

From 1999, when ASBOs were introduced, until 2005, 101 were issued in the county and 49 were breached.

Said Mr Paice, MP for South East Cambridgeshire. "If ASBOs are to work they need to be enforced and supported by measures to tackle the underlying causes of anti-social behaviour.

http://www.ely-standard.co.uk/content/ely/news/story.aspx?brand=ELYOnline&category=News&tBrand=cambs24&tCategory=NewsELY&itemid=WEED11%20Oct%202007%2011%3A33%3A55%3A200

DORKING: 'Vandal concerns being ignored'

2007-10-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

'Vandal concerns being ignored'

ANTISOCIAL behaviour at a multi-storey car park in Dorking is on the increase, residents have complained.

People in Church Gardens say they are fed up with gangs of youths smashing bottles and spraying graffiti on walls in St Martin's Walk car park.

The vandalism has been on-going at the site for years, with youths blamed for racing cars through the car park, dumping trolleys and constant attacks on the ticket machine.

But residents in nearby Church Gardens flats have complained not enough is being done to stop the anti-social behaviour.

They have called for a raft of crime prevention measures including more police patrols and CCTV,to no avail.

Keith Falconer, of Church Gardens, said: "It is starting to creep back again.

"There is a lot of glass being broken down there where people have been smashing bottles. It is the drinking that starts it.

"The kids hide when the police come down but they just come back again when they are gone."

The rise in disturbances follows the decision by Mole Valley District Council (MVDC) to remove a cash box from the car park ticket machine in the lowest underground level last month.

The council said the machine had been frequently targeted by vandals and had been set alight, had glue squirted into coin slots, and damaged with a fire extinguisher.

Stuart Clark, MVDC parking manager,said: "We took a few parts of it to service but it has been vandalised consistently.

"It started off with powder from fire extinguishers being squirted at it, it has been frequently set on fire and vandalised in various ways so we decided that we were not going to respond to that any more.

There are relatively few cars parked there during the day so we took it away.

"On that particular level you don't get people parking and the other reason is that it is furthest away.

"The people that park there, particularly the older people, prefer to park nearer the shops."

Mr Clark said the council was looking into using anti-graffiti paint on the car park walls, but he said other crime prevention were needed to stamp out the vandalism.

"It is a serious concern that has been going on for quite a while," he admitted.

We are talking about youths congregating and having some sort of social club down there.

There are some behavioural problems which police are monitoring but it is very difficult to stop without CCTV and unless the police go down there every hour it is very difficult to stop.

"It has stopped to some extent because the machine was the object of most of the vandalism. We are monitoring the situation."

It is believed any costly crime prevention measures are likely to be put on hold until the future of the site, which is part owned by Thornfield and MVDC,is decided.

In September last year Church Gardens residents received a letter from Dorking neighbourhood officer PC Lisa Wells stating changes were needed to alleviate the vandalism.

But, the letter said, this was unlikely because authorities could not invest in long-term crime reduction initiatives if there was a possibility the site could be re-developed.

Following a neighbourhood panel meeting the issue of vandalism in St Martin's Walk has formed a priority for Mole Valley's Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Neighbourhood specialist officer, PC Michelino Vaccaro, and Police Community Support Officers Clive Hudson and Kim Boichat are regular-ly said to patrol the area.

PC Vaccaro and his team have confiscated alcohol from teenagers and arrests have been made in relation to criminal damage to the car park ticket machine and graffiti.

PC Vaccaro said: "Members of the community should be reassured that Surrey Police is listening to their concerns and working with partners to address the issues."

http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200surreyheadlines/tm_headline=vandal-concerns-being-ignored&method=full&objectid=19930225&siteid=50101-name_page.html

LIVERPOOL: £1m nannies to sort out yobs

2007-10-11T14:42:00.000-07:00

£1m nannies to sort out yobs

PROBLEM families in Liverpool are being targeted in a £1.2m scheme that will see a “supernanny” go into their homes.

Loutish parents and unruly children can be the bane of people’s lives.

Now, to help them and their neighbours, the council has teamed up with the children’s charity NCH to offer them one-to-one assistance.

In the past, bad tenants would simply be evicted.

Through this four-year scheme, council chiefs say, they hope to get to the root cause of anti-social behaviour and prevent families from losing their homes – rather than just moving them on.

The helpers teach parents how to discipline their children – much like TV’s Supernanny.

But that is only one aspect of their role.

Those assigned to problem families look at their entire lives and act accordingly.

This could be getting the family into a proper routine and teaching them how to make a nutritious meal, to taking parents or the children to the doctors.

Similar schemes have already been launched in Wirral and Knowsley and there are others across the country.

The project costs around £300,000 in taxpayers’ money a year, but those behind it say the savings long-term far outweigh the initial layout.

They also say research has shown this approach can turn anti-social behaviour around in eight out of 10 cases.

Deputy director of Children’s Services for NCH North West, Carol Iddon, said: “If you have to rehouse, it costs money. Children could go into care.

“If we get this right we can save up to £200,000 per family.”

The scheme has been commissioned by Liverpool council as part of the RESPECT agenda – which targets anti-social behaviour.

The NCH team is seven strong with five dealing directly with families.

Around 30 families will be helped at any one time.

A panel will decide who would benefit.

People are referred to the service by landlords, the police or the council, or they can refer themselves.

Only those at risk of eviction through anti-social behaviour can take part.

If families refuse, the eviction process goes ahead.

Ms Iddon added: “Families have deep-rooted problems and don’t want to be living the way they are.

“They need support, not punishment.”

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/11/1m-nannies-to-sort-out-yobs-100252-19931250/

WEXFORD: Wexford County Council wage war

2007-10-11T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wexford County Council wage war

“I am becoming increasingly alarmed at the rate of growth in anti-social behaviour in our society and am calling now for this council to wage war on this trend. As it stands people are afraid to go out of their homes from early evening and are living in fear in their houses – many houses are raided when people are actually there,” he said.

“Dark areas have become a breeding ground for those abusing drugs, including alcohol. Cars and houses are being damaged and people are genuinely afraid to speak up even when they know who the perpetrators are,” he continued.

Cllr. Roche made reference to an incident at last week’s sitting of Wexford District Court: “A number of people who were drunk and high on drugs came to the court to support people who were facing charges.

They verbally abused three little girls from the convent on their way up there and a melee broke out outside the courtroom when Gardaí had to restrain a number of them on the ground.” Cllr. Roche finished with an ominous warning: “There is a danger that Wexford could be the next Limerick, or the next Dublin.”

Heads shook vigorously in agreement as he made his impassioned plea, and Cllr. Peter Byrne was the first to vocalise his support.

“People report incidences to their local representatives but are afraid to give their names for fear of reprisals. We have to take action against the people who are involved in this behaviour.” Cllr. Ted Howlin said that the council was being generous by deeming these acts merely antisocial:

“These are criminal acts. We are making it sound nicer than it is.” Cllr. Howlin said that friends of his had recently had an intruder in their home: “They were in bed at 6 a.m. and heard a noise in the kitchen. When my friend went to investigate he discovered a man in the kitchen. When he asked him what he thought he was doing and who he was the burglar proceeded to give him his name and address. He had only been released from prison the week before. All they are is begging asses.” Cllr. Declan MacPartlin made reference to a number of recent serious robberies in North Wexford: “There were seven robberies on the same evening from 7 p.m. including one where an 80-year old woman was terrorised. It is ludicrous how badly policed the county is but the Gardaí are operating without the necessary resources. We need to get tough on the boys at the top.”

Cllr. Michael Kinsella agreed: “Ten days ago there were nine robberies from Camolin to Carnew, not seven. These occurred along a mile stretch of road between 6.30 p.m. and 8 p.m. The perpetrators threatened to cut the toes of an elderly woman. They were able to do this without any fear of any description. We need to get resources in place.” Cllr. John Dwyer said that the wave of anti-social behaviour was not a local authority problem, but a policing problem: “We are being tough on criminals but are ignoring the causes of crime. We should demand that the Minister for Justice gets tough on crime and the causes of crime.”

Cllr. Anna Fenlon said that services for those with addiction were severely lacking: “These problems are often association with drugs and drink. There is not enough support for people with addiction.” Director of Services, Maeve O’Brien, said that Junior Minister for the Environment, Batt O’Keeffe had promised to do something in this area: “He has promised legislation that will tackle anti-social behaviour. He has said that he will define what it is in a local authority policy document and he has also pledged €8 million in funding to deal with anti-social activities.”

http://www.goreyecho.ie/news/story.asp?j=27638&cat=news

LIVERPOOL: Let’s restore family values

2007-10-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

Let’s restore family values

IT seems barely a day is passing at the moment without news emerging of yet another yob incident.

Today’s involves a Merseyside fire crew coming under petrol bomb attack in Belle Vale – something which will clearly shock and appall all right-thinking people.

Our initial instinct will also be to condemn those responsible. After all, what could possess anyone to attack those whose whole careers are based on saving lives and helping others?

But once the natural anger has subsided we are left with an increasingly important question – what can we do as a society to stamp out such disgraceful acts of yob behaviour?

One idea which has been put forward today is for problem families to get their very own “supernanny” in a bid to teach parents how to discipline their unruly children.

It is certainly an innovative idea and one which has its roots in common sense. The most important lessons are learned at home and if the parents are unable to teach them then what chance have their children got?

This is an attempt to address the problem of anti-social and yob behaviour at its source.

If children are taught to behave responsibly in the home then there is a much greater chance of them behaving properly on the streets and in the community at large.

Some may dismiss this idea as yet more evidence of the nanny state encroaching still further into our private lives but that would be to miss the point entirely.

The simple truth is that, unless the state intervenes and does its bit to restore family values where they have lapsed, then we will all pay a very heavy price.

It is all too easy for today’s problem children to turn into tomorrow’s yobs – this supernanny scheme is a welcome attempt to stop that from happening.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-life/liverpool-lifestyle/2007/10/11/let-s-restore-family-values-100252-19933932/

NORTHAMPTON: Teen jailed for serious assault on taxi driver

2007-10-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Teen jailed for serious assault on taxi driver

A teenage yob has been detained for 21 months for his part in a drunken gang's attack on a taxi driver which saw youths as young as 14 help beat the victim unconscious.
Nathan Kightley, aged 18, of Queen Eleanor Road, Far Cotton, admitted punching a taxi driver in the face at the Tesco store in East Hunsbury on November 24 last year after the taxi driver claimed the teenager had taken the vehicle's keys.

Kightley had reached into the taxi to stop the car because he wanted to speak to a group of girl passengers.

Other youths then took items including the driver's wallet, phone and satellite navigation system from the vehicle's glove box.

The driver, who was working for Bounds Taxis of Bradshaw Street, pursued Kightley but was hit over the head with a bottle, punched and then kicked several times by other teenagers while he was on the ground.

He lost consciousness and was later taken to Northampton General Hospital.

Kightley and three other defendants, 18-year-old Nathan Evans, of Friars Crescent, Ross McCreadie of Abbey Road and Steven Bishop, both now aged 15, admitted actual bodily harm at Northampton Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard all four teenagers were drunk at the time of the attack and that alcohol had been a major cause of the aggression.

But Judge Richard Bray said he believed the type of assault could not be tolerated and the taxi driver now feared working at night.

He said: "This was a serious attack on a taxi driver at night when he was only trying to do his job.

"It has to be said that attacks of this type are all too frequent."

To Kightley, he said: "You started the assault by stopping the taxi and punching the taxi driver
and all the trouble happened after that.

"The matter was aggravated by the fact you were on double bail for other offences at the time.

"You were given bail again which you should never have been.

"These courts have a duty to protect taxi drivers from attack," he added.

Judge Bray said the attack was serious enough to grant the Chronicle & Echo's request to lift reporting restrictions so McCreadie and Bishop could be named.

He added the pair's parents were right to feel responsibility for the attack because they had allowed them to drink to excess and ordered them to pay the taxi driver £500 each in compensation.

He also handed Bishop a supervision order with an anger management course.

Evans was ordered to be detained for 12 months and Kightley was given 21 months for the attack and found guilty of the theft of the keys, for which he was handed a further three months.

http://www.northantset.co.uk/northampton-chronicle-and-echo/Teen-jailed-for-serious-assault.3368097.jp

SCOTLAND: Call to force pubs and clubs to pay for 'drunk tanks'

2007-10-11T14:26:00.000-07:00

Call to force pubs and clubs to pay for 'drunk tanks'

PUBS and clubs in Scotland could be made to pay for special centres where drunks can sleep off their intoxication overnight.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the "polluter pays" principle meant those who profit from the sale of alcohol should pick up the cost of its consequences.

And he said there were currently too many drunks clogging up police cells and accident and emergency departments when they did not need to be there.

Mr MacAskill has already floated the idea of a polluter pays approach to meet the cost of extra late-night policing.

Money would be raised through higher fees for late licences for pubs and clubs in antisocial behaviour hotspots.

But now he wants the principle extended to cover overnight recovery centres which would take the strain off the police and hospitals.

He said: "We operate these kind of places in Edinburgh every New Year when there is a tented area set up for people who have over-indulged and need to sleep it off.

"But every weekend, A&E units are full of people who don't need to be there."

He said there had been discussions about a year-round centre in Edinburgh, but plans had been frustrated by a lack of cash.

He said: "These things are not cheap to run, but they do make significant savings in resources for the hard-pressed A&E departments and police cells, neither of which are appropriate for those who are drunk and incapable.

"We need to provide facilities and that comes at a cost. I believe that cost should be borne by those who profit from the sale of alcohol. The council taxpayer has enough to pay for."

Mr MacAskill made his comments after visiting a "designated place" scheme in Aberdeen yesterday, one of only two in Scotland where people found drunk and incapable are taken rather than a hospital or police station.

The British Beer and Pub Association today claimed alcohol consumption in the UK has fallen for the second year running.

It produced figures showing a 3.3 per cent year-on-year dip last year, the largest in 15 years. Drinkers got through on average 8.9 litres of alcohol per person in 2006 compared to 9.4 litres in 2004.

• Mr MacAskill today praised the work of a Leith-based project in tackling alcohol and drug issues through peer education.

Fast Forward trains young people to communicate with other young people in a bid to prevent misuse. It currently has around 15 volunteers who are invited to youth clubs and schools to spread the message.

A spokeswoman for Fast Forward said: "One of the difficulties with health education is young people tend to disengage - they see it as just something else coming from the teacher.

"Young people are more likely to listen to other young people."

Mr MacAskill said: "This is an exciting and encouraging project because it engages a range of young people - some as service users and some as volunteers providing peer education in areas such as substance misuse - to the benefit of the wider community."

"We want to promote positive social behaviour as well as tackling antisocial behaviour, and this project does just that."

http://news.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1625742007#new

DAGENHAM: 11-year-olds searched for drugs

2007-10-11T14:25:00.001-07:00

11-year-olds searched for drugs

CHILDREN as young as 11 have been caught up in a police crackdown on drugs and antisocial behaviour in Valence Park, Dagenham.

Residents had complained about troublemakers playing with firelighters in the park and on nearby Margery Road.

Thursday and Friday of last week saw Valence Safer Neighbourhood Team and parks police officers stop 28 youths between the ages of 11 and 18.

Acting sergeant Darren Reynolds said 16 had been searched under drug laws.

Cannabis and marker pens were found nearby, but no drugs were found on the group.

Mr Reynolds said letters had now been sent to parents, adding: "We have made them aware their children have been searched in relation to drugs."

Meanwhile, police are urging youngsters to take part in a youth forum aimed at tackling the problem of antisocial behaviour.

The event, which is being organised in partnership with Barking and Dagenham Council, takes place at Becontree Baptist Church, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, from noon to 2pm on Friday, October 26.

http://www.bdrecorder.co.uk/content/barkinganddagenham/recorder/news/story.aspx?brand=RECOnline&category=newsBarkDag&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newsBarkDag&itemid=WeED11%20Oct%202007%2009%3A47%3A01%3A053

NEW GUN LAW IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY

2007-10-11T01:32:00.001-07:00

Retailers could be criminalised if they sell plastic guns, which look too realistic, to children.

The tough new police powers came into effect on Monday, making it illegal to sell 'realistic' toy guns to under 18s.

The law is part of the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 and forms a central plank of the government's continued campaign to reduce violent and anti-social crime.

The law is an extension of the ban on replica fire arms and follows fears that some young people are using realistic-looking plastic firearms for ant-social activities.

It will now be an offence to sell domestic knives, razor blades, knife blades and axes to minors - as well as crossbows, air weapons, realistic toy guns and adult "BB" guns.

Superintendent Richard Baker, of Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, said: "The changes in the law are welcomed as part of the range of preventative measures employed to reduce violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

"The sale of realistic toy guns and adult 'BB' guns has been a particular concern of ours for some time and the restricted sale of these products is a positive step in crime prevention.

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/exmouthjournal/news/story.aspx?brand=EXJOnline&category=news&tBrand=devon24&tCategory=newsexj&itemid=DEED04%20Oct%202007%2014%3A16%3A06%3A747

LIVERPOOL: ‘Terror families’ to learn how to make sandwich

2007-10-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

‘Terror families’ to learn how to make sandwich

ANTI-SOCIAL Liverpool families who risk eviction because of their bad behaviour are to be taught basic skills at home, including potentially how to make a sandwich.

Organisers last night denied the programme, launched today, was an example of a “nanny state” and said the results would empower participants and their communities.

Charity National Children’s Homes was commissioned to intervene in the lives of families who often terrorise their communities by Liverpool City Council.

Support workers will visit their homes to teach a range of skills including cooking and cleaning, tailored to the needs of each family.

Gill Clayton, assistant director at NCH, said yesterday that previous schemes had seen parents taught, for example, how to make a sandwich.

“This is not an example of a nanny state. Once each family has gone through the programme they will be empowered to contribute to society in a positive way,” she said.

“We remember a woman in another city where we implemented the scheme who could not make a sandwich and the skills we teach can be this basic, but is varies enormously.”

Each family is referred to the scheme by authorities such as social services, the police or they can even volunteer to take part.

Only families with children who have received a threat of eviction because of their anti-social behaviour are eligible, and it is thought people with Asbos will often be referred.

Cllr Colin Eldridge, Liverpool’s executive member for community safety said: “There are often very complex reasons why families are causing problems for their neighbours and if we can resolve them it benefits not only them but the whole community.

“It is essential that we do all we can to get them to change their behaviour and start contributing to society instead of disrupting life for law-abiding people.”

The scheme is funded by central government as part of the Respect agenda to tackle anti-social behaviour.

It will cost between £200,000 to £300,000 a year, but could save around £200,000 per family by preventing rehousing, children being taken into care and health complications.

Staff from NCH will visit families within the city for around eight hours a week for several months, showing them how to look after themselves, their children and their households.

Around 30 families will be helped at any one time, and the period each family will be on the programme varies.

The project was launched in Wirral last week, and Knowsley has been involved in a pilot programme.

NCH says it has carried out the scheme in other areas of the country with positive effects.

A study by Sheffield Hallam University showed 95% of families stayed in their original houses, an 82% reduction in com- plaints from neighbours and an 84% improvement in school attendance.

Carol Iddon, Deputy Director of Children’s services for NCH North West added: “We know from experience that most of the families we work with don’t want to be living the way they are but don’t know how to turn things around.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2007/10/11/terror-families-to-learn-how-to-make-sandwich-64375-19931352/

BOOSBECK/CLEVELAND: Man threw dogs into path of oncoming cars

2007-10-11T01:25:00.000-07:00

Man threw dogs into path of oncoming cars

Paul Postgate was given a five-year Asbo

A man who threw dogs into the path of oncoming traffic has been handed a five-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order after making residents' lives a misery.

Paul Postgate was banned from keeping dogs by magistrates and told to stop his intimidating behaviour which he has used in villages across Cleveland.

The RSPCA, Redcar and Cleveland Council and Cleveland Police took action to secure the Asbo from Guisborough Magistrates last week.

Mr Postgate, 45, of Brookside, Boosbeck, east Cleveland, was accused of around 20 incidents of cruelty and intimidation over previous months.

Included in the cruelty allegations were claims he threw under-nourished and aggressive dogs into the path of passing cars which had to brake hard to avoid hitting the mistreated animals.

He was also accused of threatening people with a large piece of wood, shouting at people and waving his arms at passers-by.

Mr Postgate did not attend the hearing and was not represented in court.

The terms of the Asbo prevent him from threatening residents, walking down the middle of the road, possessing drugs, obstructing traffic, urinating in public, drinking alcohol in public, carrying a wooden pole or stick and owning a dog.

After the court hearing, Pc Claire Hornsby said: "I have spoken with a number of the complainants and it is evident that Postgate is feared by many residents, who are intimidated not only by his behaviour, but by his physical appearance and mere presence in the community.

"It is clear that members of the public are concerned for their personal safety and feel deeply distressed and incensed by his behaviour towards animals in his possession in public.

"This order would not have been possible without the support and assistance of the numerous members of the public who have reported incidents to the agencies and have provided the information to support this application."

The council's member for community protection and ward member for Skelton, Dave McLuckie, who is also chairman of Cleveland Police Authority, said: "I am absolutely delighted that this particular individual has received what can only be described as a fairly lengthy order.

"It is a testament to the community who have stood up to intimidation and threats to help us bring about this Asbo."

RSPCA inspector Nick Jones said Mr Postgate once connected two dogs with a piece of twine and made them walk down a road on opposite sides of a pavement.

"If a car had come along and the driver had not seen them, it would have been devastating for the dogs," he said.

Mr Jones said local residents had removed some animals from Mr Postgate and re-homed the pets themselves.

He is now the subject of two RSPCA investigations.

Mr Jones continued: "The terms of the Asbo prohibit him from keeping dogs for five years, which is fantastic.

"If only half the stories, reports and statements that were put forward were true, it would paint a very disturbing picture about him."

BURNLEY: Mini-moto yobs could receive 'ASBOs'

2007-10-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

Mini-moto yobs could receive 'ASBOs'

YOBS who are terrorising areas with mini-moto bikes could be hit with anti-social behaviour orders as part of a major crackdown on the problem.

Burnley council has joined forces with the police and housing bossess in a bid to try to stop the problem of illegal off-road bikes, which are making residents' lives a misery in several areas of the town.

Measures the council is prepared to use to tackle the problem include confiscating bikes, implementing anti-social behaviour orders and pursuing driving bans.

They are also appealing for residents to contact them if they have information about who is riding the bikes illegally.

The council's executive member for environment councillor Margaret Lishman said: "We have recently managed to seize several off road bikes working alongside the police, the MAPS team and Burnley Borough Council's Anti-Social Behaviour team as part of a borough wide initiative on removing these illegal and potentially dangerous vehicles.

"Parents and children need to be reminded that there is nowhere in Burnley that they can ride these kinds of bikes legally, and by doing so they could face a severe penalty.

"Not only could the bike be confiscated, they could wind up with an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) and even a driving ban."

The areas that are causing residents the most discomfort are Barclay Hills, Hargher Clough, Accrington Road, Hillside, and Park Road at Padiham.

Members of the multi-agency project behind the crackdown are urging residents to ring Crimestoppers or the ASB team if they have any information about the people responsible.

Scrambling bikes, quads, motocross and trail bikes, as well as the mini motorbikes all fall into this category, and if anyone knows the names and addresses of the bike owners, and details of the bikes themselves, they are encouraged to step forward.

The ASB team can be contacted directly on (01282) 477125, or alternatively via the Home Office It's Your Call' Hotline on (0845) 605 2222. Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1751052.0.minimoto_yobs_could_receive_asbos.php

ROCHDALE: Football yobs’ racist attack on old couple.

2007-10-11T01:13:00.000-07:00

Football yobs’ racist attack on old couple.

Abdul and Maqsooda Sattar

A MOB of football fans carried out a vicious attack on an elderly Asian couple.

Sixty-four-year-old Maqsooda Sattar was repeatedly spat on and then had lager sprayed on her by a gang of about 20, who chanted racist and abusive language at her.

When her 73-year-old husband Abdul went to her rescue, he was knocked to the ground and kicked in the face.

The attack happened outside a Spotland Road surgery just over an hour before the kick-off of Saturday’s Rochdale-Bury derby at Spotland.

The couple were unable to tell the police if their attackers were either Rochdale or Bury supporters.They were taken into the Dawes Family Practice and cared for until police arrived 30 minutes later.

The Sattars, who live nearby, were then taken to Rochdale Infirmary but allowed home later in the day and are being cared for by relatives.

Their 42-year-old son-in-law Ibrar Ul-Haq said: "They are both extremely shaken. We have spent the entire weekend tying to calm them down."It was very frightening. They were very lucky people came to help.

"My mother-in-law is very upset. She’s been having baths every few hours.She feels terrible after being spat on.She keeps telling us how filthy the language they used was."

"This group spotted her as she was about to enter the surgery and went straight for her."They have lived in this area for 34 years and nothing like this has ever happened to them. They walk to Rochdale almost every day usually, but now they are too scared to go out"

"They are both very grateful to the staff at Dawes Practice for helping them.

"There was a witness who was taken to Spotland Stadium, but it was almost impossible for her to identify any of the group because there were nearly 5,000 at the game.I was very disappointed there was no police presence in the area at the time, just a mile away from the stadium so soon before the match".

"The Football Association wants people from ethnic minorities to become involved in football, but are they really surprised more don’t? "If this is the way elderly people are treated what could happen if a group of young people went to a football match?"

PC Jeff Johnson said: "This appears to be a totally unprovoked attack on an elderly couple by a large group of football fans with the aggravating factor of racial comments. This was totally unacceptable behaviour."

Police are appealing for more witnesses to come forward.

The youth who kicked Mr Sattar is described as white, aged 16-18, 5ft 4in, slim with short spiky ginger hair.

Mike Brookes, spokesman for the Rochdale club, said: "We completely condemn this. If it was indeed a Rochdale ‘fan’ that did this then he is not a true fan.The industry has worked very hard to stamp out racism, both on and off the pitch. It’s sad that things like this can happen."

"I wish this couple all the best for a very speedy recovery and would like to invite them to the ground as our guests, for a game of their choice, just as soon as they feel up to it."

http://www.rochdaleobserver.co.uk/news/s/1019024_football_yobs_racist_attack_on_old_couple

NEWHAM: Police sweep road of anti-social crime

2007-10-10T09:21:00.001-07:00

Police sweep road of anti-social crime

A MASSIVE operation to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour - involving police, DVLA officials and council officers - has swept along Barking Road from East Ham to Canning Town.

Mirroring previous Pride schemes, the E6-16 crackdown led to 15 arrests. More than £6,000 was recovered in unpaid fines, 13,000 counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes were impounded, suspected fake alcohol was discovered and a large number of counterfeit items of clothing, footwear, toys, bags and sports goods were seized, as well as 188 unclassified DVDs.

Test purchases were carried out in pubs by an underage sales team, and food safety officers visited 130 food premises and found 37 new businesses. Registration forms were left for them to complete.

ENFIELD: Anti-social behaviour is residents’ top concern

2007-10-10T09:20:00.001-07:00

Anti-social behaviour is residents’ top concern

A REPORT examining council tenants and leaseholders' views on anti-social behaviour in the borough has been released this week.

It reveals that anti-social behaviour is the most important concern for all Enfield residents, no matter where they live.

A total of 62 per cent of Enfield's residents felt that safety in the home and on their estate was the most important issue in their life.

The survey also reveals that people who help to make decisions about the area in which they live, and those who take more of an active role in community involvement, tend to feel happier about their quality of life.

Other findings suggest that people in lower Edmonton are among the most positive in the borough and feel that anti-social behaviour is not currently a major issue.

A council spokeswoman said: "The results show that when people are involved in community life they become less fearful of anti-social behaviour.

"Whether meeting neighbours or taking part in neighbourhood events, such as Enfield's community festivals, getting involved in local life is a great way to see what things are really like."

http://www.enfieldindependent.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1749360.0.antisocial_behaviour_is_residents_top_concern.php

WEYMOUTH & PORTLAND: Borough sees most antisocial behaviour

2007-10-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Borough sees most antisocial behaviour

NEARLY two-thirds of all antisocial behaviour in western Dorset happens in Weymouth and Portland, it has emerged.

Figures show 4,077 incidents out of a total of 6,825 this summer were recorded in the borough.

But Dorset Police Inspector Nikki Billington said the numbers were to be expected because of the time of year and the nature of Weymouth and Portland.

And she revealed antisocial behaviour is falling - both in the borough and western Dorset as a whole.

"These figures cover the summer period and there's so much more going on in Weymouth and Portland," she said.

"It's the nature of the area, it gets so many more visitors.

"Over the summer the population increases by literally thousands, and it's an urban area as well. And antisocial behaviour is not an exact science, so it's always dangerous to put too much emphasis on these figures."

Antisocial behaviour covers problems such as rowdy behaviour by gangs of youths, boy racers, groups of homeless people drinking and bad language in public places.

Insp Billington said 6,825 incidents were reported to the western division of Dorset Police between April and September this year, compared with 6,950 during the same period last year.

In Weymouth and Portland 4,077 complaints were received - down 126 from 4,203 logged in the previous year.

Insp Billington, who oversees the antisocial behaviour team, said: "We're seeing a decrease overall by nearly two per cent, which is fantastic. We're definitely bucking the trend so we're very pleased"

Insp Billington said the decrease was due to antisocial behaviour being at the top of everyone's agenda'.

"We're working really hard and we're listening to the public," she said. "There's lots of things going on and they're really starting to have an impact.

"I think it's all the little things we've been doing now coming to fruition.

"We've introduced dispersal orders and we've formed safer neighbourhood teams.

"We've also got dedicated local officers taking ownership of the problem in their areas, which really helps."

Reports of antisocial behaviour have also dropped in Sherborne - but they have risen from 1086 to 1098 in Dorchester and from 910 to 924 Bridport. But Insp Billington said: "Those increases are nothing when you consider they were recorded over six months.

"But that doesn't mean we're getting complacent. We'll keep on going and keep chipping away.

"Antisocial behaviour is a top priority for most people. These aren't one-off incidents, they're the sorts of things that affect people's quality of life day in, day out."

ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOUR INCIDENTS:

Western Division of Dorset Police

Apr - Sept 06: 6,950

Apr - Sept 07: 6,825

Weymouth and Portland

Apr - Sept 06: 4,203

Apr - Sept 07: 4,077

Dorchester

Apr - Sept 06: 1,086

Apr - Sept 07: 1,098

Bridport

Apr - Sept 06: 910

Apr - Sept 07: 924

Sherborne

Apr - Sept 06: 751

Apr - Sept 07: 726

http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/tidnews/display.var.1748619.0.borough_sees_most_antisocial_behaviour.php

HASTINGS OLD TOWN: No-go zone for boy racers

2007-10-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

No-go zone for boy racers

Sussex's first yob no-go zone to deal with bad drivers has been launched to tackle boy racers.

The order will cover Hastings Old Town and runs for three months from October 14 at midnight.

It is being introduced following complaints from residents in the area around Rock-a-Nore Road about boy-racers and moped riders.

They have complained of antisocial and dangerous driving.

The order gives police, or police community support officers, the powers to disperse two or more people, if they are likely to cause distress, alarm or harassment, for up to 24 hours.

If they do not abide by the order, or return within the 24 hour period, they are liable to be arrested or could have their vehicle seized.

The area will also be patrolled by more police and community support officers.

Sergeant Alan Gates, of Sussex Police, said: "The local residents and businesses have turned to Hastings Police for help with what has been a significant problem particularly around Rock-a-Nore Road.

"We have studied the evidence gathered with help from the Safer Hastings Partnership and successfully applied for a dispersal order.

"Other areas of the country have encountered similar problems and utilised this legislation with good effect.

"I am hoping that the small proportion of drivers who drive their vehicles in this manner will see sense, but if they continue to drive anti socially with disregard for other road users, they will face arrest, prosecution, points on their licence and perhaps the removal of their vehicle."

Earlier this year a three-month dispersal order was introduced in areas of the seafront, Warrior Square and parts of the town centre.

Police had received complaints from residents about vandalism, drunkenness, assaults, antisocial behaviour and public disorder.

It is believed the most recent order is the first in the county to be introduced to tackle drivers.

Two children were injured in August this year after a boy-racer crashed his car on Hastings seafront near the Deluxe Arcade.

Five people in total were injured in the crash, including a six-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, and four vehicles were involved.

Chief Inspector Tony Blaker, Hastings District Commander, said: "This initiative is a result of local people contacting their local police officer and PCSO to highlight anti-social behaviour.

"I would encourage other communities to bring such problems to our attention as we are committed to delivering a local policing service that better meets the needs of Hastings residents."

Police are urging members of the public to contact them with information about dangerous or antisocial driving on 01273 404274 or 0845 6070999.

Alternatively, they can email www.operationcrackdown.org Do you live in or near a dispersal zone? Has it worked? Perhaps you are blighted by anti-social drivers? Leave your comments below.

For more information about crime in your area visit the local information section of our website.

EDINBURGH: Yobs wreck school 10 times

2007-10-10T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yobs wreck school 10 times

THE headteacher of a school which has been targeted by vandals ten times in the past six months today told of her fear that it would be burned to the ground.

The latest attack on St Mark's RC Primary School in Colinton Mains saw a group of youths target the infants' play area, ripping up benches and leaving the ground littered with cans and broken glass.

Pupils were in tears when they arrived to find the devastation and have now written letters to their local MP and councillors asking them to help them get CCTV cameras and lights.

Previous attacks at the school have seen the vandals deliberately setting trees and a bin alight.

Headteacher Patricia Barclay held a meeting with parents yesterday to discuss how to improve security. The attack comes a few months after the nursery received £3000 from Radio Forth's Help a Child Appeal for CCTV, but these have not yet been installed.

She said: "It seems we're being targeted at the moment. I think this is an older group of teenagers. They've been coming in off and on to drink, but this is the worst it's been.

"We think it was a group of six or more teenagers, from the amount of alcohol. They must have drunk it over two nights. It was an incredible amount of drink.

"It looks very distasteful. There are bottles of gin and vodka, cans of beer, plastic bags and cigarette butts. The picnic benches have been smashed and one has been torn right out of the concrete.

"It was very distressing. The children were really upset. This cannot go on. I expect this gang is well-known, but they've created a bit of a culture of fear. There's a very real fear that with all the smoking and drinking there could be another fire. They've already set a bin alight with a gas canister and burned down two trees at the nursery. It was just fortunate that the building was not burnt."

She said the benches which were broken in the latest attack over the weekend would cost around £600 to replace. A Wendy house, which had been built after children raised the funds themselves, was wrecked in August, while paving stones have also been smashed, and graffiti has been scrawled over the walls.

Shaun MacFarlane, 11, a primary seven pupil, wrote to local councillor Jason Rust: "They have broken all the benches and even pulled one out of concrete.

"They have been drinking and smoking as you can easily tell by looking at it. When my P7 class went to check, you could smell their waste."

Evie Kircos, also 11, wrote: "We will keep writing if this doesn't stop.

"We like our school and it is not suitable for the little children to see this vandalism."

Cllr Rust, who represents the Colinton ward for the Conservative party, said he would be meeting parents, police and staff in the next two weeks to discuss the problem.

He said: "This is devastating news. There's been a spate of vandalism, and it's having a very bad impact on the children who are obviously very upset.

"There are problems with antisocial behaviour around Colinton Mains, but the school and park seem to be particularly targeted."

Police are investigating the attacks and are appealing for witnesses.

http://news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1619722007

NEWCASTLE: Yobs destroy our soldiers’ headstones

2007-10-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

Yobs destroy our soldiers’ headstones

HEARTLESS yobs have smashed the headstones of brave Second World War soldiers.

Four military graves of soldiers killed in action have been desecrated in Walker Cemetery, Newcastle.

The graves, one of them belonging to a soldier who died aged just 24, have been turned to rubble by the vandalism spree.

Victor Pollitt, 67, a veteran of the Territorial Army’s Parachute Regiment, discovered the damage while walking his dog.

He said: “For anybody’s graves to be destroyed like this is disgusting, but for military graves you just can’t believe it.

“These are people who have given their lives for this country and for the very freedom of the person who has done this.

“Perhaps the war isn’t really taught so much these days, I don’t know. My grandson was over from Ireland at the time we found them and even he said it was disgusting – that’s from a 14-year-old.”

Mr Pollitt, who served with the TA in Greece, Germany and Cyprus, says his veteran comrades are equally disgusted.

Around 30 veterans from the Parachute Regiment Association meet each month to discuss military issues and Mr Pollitt, of Walkergate, says the state of former soldiers’ graves should be top of the agenda.

He added: “Everyone is absolutely disgusted. This has come up in the meeting before when we heard about a couple of graves in Gosforth.

“But those ones had only been neglected, not absolutely destroyed like the ones in Walker.”

Margaret Wood, Labour councillor for Walker, said: “When you think it’s the graves of people who fought to save our country it’s just terrible.

“We do have advice surgeries for people to bring this kind of thing to our attention. But it’s hard to see what you can do with cemeteries – they’re not somewhere you can lock up and leave.”

Police are appealing for information about the damaged graves after an anonymous call from the public.

Neighbourhood Inspector Steve Baker said: “We understand that damage to headstones is distressing. The public can help us in our inquiries by reporting criminal damage at the time it happens.

“Anyone wanting to speak to us anonymously can call 08456 043 043 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A spokesman for Newcastle City Council said: “The council abhors this disgusting act of vandalism which must be extremely upsetting for both friends and loved ones of those buried in this part of the cemetery.

“Our wardens will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2007/10/10/yobs-destroy-our-soldiers-headstones-72703-19927461/

CAMBRIDGE: Police to get tough on rampaging yobs

2007-10-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

Police to get tough on rampaging yobs

MINDLESS yobs who threw missiles at police officers are making villagers' lives a misery.

Recent incidents include arson attacks and windows being smashed at Bassingbourn's schools, with primary school pupils left without lunch on Friday due to shattered glass scattered around the kitchen.

Now Cambridgeshire Police have launched a "zero tolerance" crackdown on hooligans responsible for a spate of arson attacks, vandalism and underage drinking in the village.

Coun Jack White, chairman of the parish council, said: "It's totally mindless behaviour that costs a fortune to fix. There is just no respect - it is a terrible state of affairs. They are making people's lives a misery.

"There are 13 and 14-yearolds running around at 2am causing problems. The police have not been doing their job, but it looks like they have been stung by recent events and galvanised into taking effective action."

Sgt Mark Kathro, responsible for policing in the village, has abandoned a low key approach after a mob of youths on the recreation ground pelted a police car when PCSOs tried to disperse them last Thursday.

Many of the youths travel from Royston to cause trouble.

A meeting was held yesterday to discuss the problem.

Sgt Kathro said: "When it gets to the stage where missiles are being thrown at my officers it gives me the hump. Now it's got to be more of a zero tolerance policy.

"On Thursday the kitchen was trashed at the junior school. On Friday the pupils didn't have school meals because of the damage.

"I am confident it is the same group of people who have been setting light to bins and benches around the rec."

Regular patrols by troops at Bassingbourn Barracks have been stepped up to deter troublemakers from the recreation ground, schools and South End and North End.

On September 29, a suspected arson attack on the 200-year-old United Reformed Church was only put out when it was spotted by quick-thinking neighbour Rupert Webb.

Sgt Kathro hopes new powers will allow officers to disperse youths from the village. Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders will be used in a crackdown.

Trading Standards officers will also work with local shops to reduce under-age drinking.

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2007/10/10/2a2db2b9-aa9c-4c16-aa8a-70c1f459f28c.lpf

BROSGROVE AREA: Tackling the yobs

2007-10-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

Tackling the yobs

DISPERSAL ORDER: The area which is covered under the dispersal order covers Waseley and Beacon estates, Lickey golf course and part of Cofton Hackett, running along the border between Worcestershire and the West Midlands. Ref:s

SPECIAL measures are being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour in Rubery.

Residents who attended the latest Partners and Communities Together meeting (PACT) last Monday, October 8, were given the news a section 30 dispersal order had now come into force, and will run until January 8, 2008.

This latest dispersal order is the third to be put in place following similar ones in 2004 and 2005.

The order was first revealed in the Advertiser/Messenger last month and follows complaints by residents of increased anti-social behaviour.

In June, Holywell Primary School in Gunner Lane suffered a fire, and in August, police stepped up patrols in the area after a spate of criminal damage, including windows smashed, graffiti, and scratches made to cars.

The order, part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, gives police or Community Support Officers who believe the presence or behaviour of more than two people has caused or is likely to cause members of the public to feel intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed, the power to disperse them and order them to leave the area. Officers can also take home any young person under the age of 16, between 9pm and 6am. If they fail to comply, they can be arrested.

The order covers Waseley and Beacon estates, Lickey golf course and part of Cofton Hackett, running along the border between Worcestershire and the West Midlands.

Local Policing Officer PC Jayne Willetts said: "This latest order was prompted by complaints about youths gathering in Rubery village, drinking and causing criminal damage. There can be more than 30 individuals in a group, which can be very intimidating. Rubery is well served in terms of youth provision, so there are no excuses for young people hanging around the streets.

"The disorder has spread over the Lickey golf course and to the shops in Lickey Road."

which is why this latest dispersal order has been extended to incorporate a larger area.

"We take anti-social behaviour extremely seriously."

Councillor Peter McDonald, (Waseley-Lab) whose ward is covered in the dispersal order, said: "I am very pleased at long last something is being done to ban the unruly element.

I welcome it and hope it will move people on, making the standard of life better for everyone."

The full list of roads covered by the order is: Madeley Close, Links Drive, Grange Crescent, Clent Road, Cottage Gardens, Waseley Road, Whitehouse Place, Romsley Close, Shearwater Close, Pinewoods Close, Fairway Drive, Hillview Road, Hazel Road, Beeches Close, Beacon Hill, Woodlands Close, Gunner Lane, Maple Road, Holmes Drive, Cleeves Road, Eachway, Heather Drive, Barrington Road, Stockhill Drive, School Road, Bilberry Drive, Richmond Road, Landers Close, Lyndon Road, Valley Farm Road, Kineton Road, Belmont Road, Rednal Hill Lane, Beacon Close, Landers Close, Graham Crescent, Leach Heath Lane, The Avenue, Beverley Road, Brook Road, Meadowfield Road, Heron Way, Whetty Lane, Rochford Close, St Chads Road, Gannow Road, Birch Road, Gannow Walk, Coppice Close, Holywell Lane, Whettybridge Road, Segbourne Road, Legion Road, Rea Avenue, Library Way, Windmill Avenue, New Road, Leasowe Road, Callowbridge Road, Brookend Drive, New Inns Lane, Callowbrook Lane, and Lickey Road.

http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/display.var.1748547.0.tackling_the_yobs.php

East Devon: ASBOs are 'not working', says local MP

2007-10-10T09:03:00.000-07:00

ASBOs are 'not working', says local MP

ANTI Social Behaviour Orders are "not working", skewing the public's perception of crime and leaving communities feeling powerless.

That's the view of East Devon MP Hugo Swire, who broke away from the Conservative Party Conference to address issues raised in last week's Herald.

He wants sanctions against yobs to be more transparent - so the public can play a part in the justice system.

Referring to concerns being raised by readers, Mr Swire said: "Anti Social Behaviour Orders are not working at all.

"They should be more visible; a badge of humiliation, not honour.

"There's a feeling in our communities of general lawlessness. It's a perception."

Mr Swire is concerned that people feel their "streets are being taken over", leaving them "unprotected".

He says louts would be named and shamed under a Conservative govern-ment and that more would be done to promote the importance of traditional family units.

"All reporting restrictions should be lifted," he said, pointing out the spirit of the law is not being adhered to by agencies dealing ASBOs.

This newspaper approached Mr Swire - to ask why anonymous civil servants are monitoring un-named yobs when the original aim of ASBOs was to empower communities.

The public was promised they would be told who the troublemakers are and what restrictions had been imposed on them - giving the community a chance to report breaches and play a part.

But legislation, protecting human rights, has been used in favour of villains to diminish the spirit of the law.

"We will pretty much scrap that legislation and bring in our own bill of rights," said Mr Swire.

"Yobs don't particularly want their mug-shots in the local Press. It's 'un-cool', and it would humiliate them."

Central to Mr Swire's concerns is the importance of the family unit.

He'd like to see a more holistic approach taken, saying children who grow up with two parents and role models are statistically more likely to steer clear of trouble. It's a proven fact, he stressed.

In cases where young people are hell bent on causing trouble, no matter what interventions they've benefited from, Mr Swire would like more prison and other institutional places made available so magistrates and judges can impose appropriate sentences.

"People are losing faith," he said. "They feel the streets are being taken over. They are feeling unprotected."

n YOUR Herald is concerned that public money is being spent on ASBOs when the spirit of the law is being pushed aside, in favour of protecting yobs' identities.

The whole point of ASBOs is that they should offer a carrot and stick approach to persistent offending.

Interventions and support are the 'carrot', but where is the 'stick'?

People power was supposed to play a part in the monitoring and reporting of ASBO breaches, but this is not happening - because anonymous civil servants have taken over the role of the public.

The 'Working Together' guidance for ASBOs, issued by the Home Office, makes the following points:

l Publicity is essential if local communities are to support agencies tackling anti-social behaviour. There is an implied power in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and the Local Government Act 2000 to publicise an order so that the order can be effectively enforced.

l ASBOs protect local communities. Obtaining the order is only part of the process; its effectiveness will normally depend on people knowing about the order.

l Information about ASBOs obtained should be publicised to let the community know that action has been taken in their area.

l The decision-maker should recognise and acknowledge that for publicity to achieve its aim it might interfere with the individual's human rights and potentially those of his or her family.

l Publicity reassures the community that action is being taken, provides them with the information to report a breach and can act as a deterrent to others whose nuisance behaviour impinges on the quality of life of others.

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/midweekherald/news/story.aspx?brand=MDWOnline&category=news&tBrand=devon24&tCategory=newsmdw&itemid=DEED09%20Oct%202007%2013%3A21%3A17%3A110

NORTHAMPTON: Vandal attacks pre-school

2007-10-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Vandal attacks pre-school

A window and door at a Northampton pre-school have been smashed.

The Pavilion pre-school in Billing Road East was found to have a smashed ground floor window and door on Monday morning.

The damage occurred between 4.40pm on Friday, October 5 and 8.30am Monday. It is believed the offender could have used small stones to break the glass.

Witnesses can contact police on 08453 700700 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/Vandal-smashes-preschool-window.3365368.jp

AYLESBURY: Railway vandal jailed for 21 months

2007-10-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

Railway vandal jailed for 21 months

A 22-YEAR-OLD who caused £72,000 worth of criminal damage to trains at Aylesbury Railway station has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Jay Herbert of Miller Close, Pinner, Middlesex sprayed his graffiti 'tag' all over train carriages parked at Aylesbury sidings on three occassions last year.

Herbert was today given an Anti Social Behavioural Order which bans him from entering any rail depot, sidings or railway property in England and Wales for the next five years at Aylesbury Crown Court.

http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/Railway-vandal-jailed-for-21.3365044.jp

WALES: WINDOW VANDAL SLAMMED BY VICAR

2007-10-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

WINDOW VANDAL SLAMMED BY VICAR

A Burglar who pocketed less than £2.50 from a church break-in caused damage almost 1,000 times that to a stained glass window.

Anthony Rhodes smashed the ornate window at St David's Church in Penllergaer while he was high on drugs. He went on to steal just £2.40, but left the church with a repair bill of over £2,300.

The attack outraged parishioners of St David's Church and the vicar has condemned it as desecration.

The stained glass Suffer Little Children panel, paid for by relatives of a former parishioner, was shattered using a pole.

It will cost £2,334 to replace, Swansea magistrates heard.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan told the court the Rev Alan Bayes discovered the damage to the church on June 18.

She said: "He considers this damage to be total desecration of the church, which offends him.

"He says he particularly feels for the family who gave the stained glass window to the church."

Rhodes was warned he could be facing a jail sentence when he appeared before the court yesterday to admit burglary.

The magistrates adjourned sentence to October 29 for the preparation of a probation report which is to examine all sentencing options including custody.

The prosecutor told how the vicar had discovered the two vestries at the church in disarray, both having been subjected to a search.

A gazebo pole which was kept in the cellar was found inside the church.

The window was installed in 1963 and after the attack glass littered the floor and seats in the church.

A coin counting machine had been smashed open and £2.40 in cash was stolen.

Police found fingerprints on the pole and on the cash machine and these matched those of Rhodes.

The prosecutor told the court: "He said he was extremely drugged up at the time, having been using heroin."

Rhodes, aged 34, of Cleverston Park, Llangennech, Llanelli, admitted the burglary.

His solicitor, Gail Evans, said the father-of-three had an entrenched heroin addiction, but he is now completely free of drugs and has a job for the first time in eight years.

She said of the burglary: "The church and parishioners are very aggrieved by this.

"Perhaps the best way of dealing with this is to ensure that he pays for the replacement of that window by way of compensation."

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=161366&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232789&home=yes&more_nodeId1=161375&contentPK=18629260

KETTERING: Taking action over the firework yobs

2007-10-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

Taking action over the firework yobs

TAKING A STAND Kettering MP Philip Hollobone, with his son Thomas, receives the petition from Mary Greening, watched by Ruth Groome and Derek Zanger

READERS have already started to contact the Evening Telegraph with details of fireworks being let off in streets and parks.

Now we want to hear about every incident you see or hear.

In the run up to Bonfire Night, police are working with partner organisations – Trading Standards, Environmental Health departments and the fire and rescue service – to share information and target action in hotspot areas for anti-social behaviour with fireworks.

Chief Insp Sean Bell said: "Every year hundreds of calls are made to the police by people who are alarmed by, or just fed up with the noise of fireworks being used inappropriately in the street.

"We may not always be able to send an officer when people call about firework nuisance but we will use the information they give us and they can rest assured that when we find clear evidence that someone has committed an offence, we will be issuing them with a fixed penalty notice."

During last year's firework crackdown, officers from Northamptonshire North Community Safety department carried out patrols across Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and the surrounding villages between November 1 and 5.

They attended 31 firework-related incidents of anti-social behaviour, 22 people were stopped and searched, 18 people were stopped and questioned about what they were doing in the area, 22 fireworks were seized, one £80 penalty notice for disorder was issued and 11 items of intelligence were recorded.

The one £80 penalty notice for disorder was issued to a 16-year-old boy who was found in possession of a firework in Barton Seagrave on November 2.

Last year we asked our readers what they thought about the sale of fireworks and they voted overwhelmingly for a total ban on the sale of them over shop counters.

In just one week nearly 800 people cast their vote in the big debate, with the final tally showing 696 people in favour of the ban and 96 against.

As a result Kettering MP Philip Hollobone raised the issue in Parliament but the Government did not introduce a ban.

Jonny Rush, of Weekley Glebe Road, Kettering, said: "When are shop owners going to take responsibility for selling fireworks so early?

"I saw my dogs cowering under my settee because of fireworks being let off."

In an e-mail to the Evening Telegraph, Alan Lund said: "An organised display that has been properly risk-assessed is far preferable to a privately-staged one, that at best is annoying to neighbours and at worst can cause death or injury and loss or damage to property."

The founder of Safewings Bird Sanctuary, in Isham, Andy Meads said: "Fireworks cause so much unnecessary death and trauma to pets, livestock and wildlife. We are calling for all animal welfare groups to back the control of fireworks.

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Taking-action-over-the-firework.3308320.jp

NORTHWICH: PCC dismisses complaint against Northwich Guardian after ‘YOBS ON FILM’ rumpus

2007-10-10T08:31:00.000-07:00

PCC dismisses complaint against Northwich Guardian after ‘YOBS ON FILM’ rumpus

The Press Complaints Commission has exonerated the Northwich Guardian from any wrongdoing after the father of a 15 year old made a complaint relating to the reporting of an alleged firebombing incident.

The complaint was made after the paper put a piece on its website showing a YouTube video where youths threw firebombs at a moving freight train setting it alight. This ‘Teenagers Torch Moving Train’ article was followed four days later (18th July) by a report in the paper headlined ‘YOBS ON FILM’.

It is here that the crux of the problem occurred as the complainant stated that the images printed could be used to identify his son. He argued (as conveyed in the PCC ruling shown on the paper’s website) that “the interests of the children in the video outweighed any public interest in showing it, and the newspaper should have pixillated their faces.”

The video, which had since been removed from the popular site, was actually posted by the complainant’s son in the first place.

In making its ruling the PCC said that the complaint did not raise a breach of the code (relating to Clause 6 – children) for “numerous reasons.”

It noted: “The first was that the information contained in the video was not private. It showed an anti-social or criminal act committed in a public place by individuals who were over the age of criminal responsibility.

“Second, the information was not only in the public domain, but had been placed there voluntarily by the complainant's son. The newspaper itself had therefore neither interviewed nor photographed the youths, but had simply referred to information that was freely available and that, for whatever reason, the perpetrators of the incident had wanted to circulate publicly.”

The PCC also noted that that it was “debatable” whether the pictures were sufficient to identify the man’s son and stated “publishing the story was clearly a matter of public interest and an example of an entirely legitimate journalistic exercise.”

Something that, judging by the comments on the Northwich Guardian’s website, the paper’s readers clearly agree with.

LOUTH/SKEGNESS: Mablethorpe youth given ASBO

2007-10-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

Mablethorpe youth given ASBO

Robert Mark Burton

A MABLETHORPE youth has been given a three year Anti Social Behaviour Order by Skegness Magistrates at a hearing that also saw him sentenced to 120 days in a youth offending institution.

Robert Mark Burton, 18, of Marian Avenue appeared before Skegness Magistrates Court to face charges of driving with excess alcohol, taking a vehicle without consent and assaulting a police officer.

The ASBO, with three conditions, was given for a three year period and is valid until 25 September 2010.
The conditions of the order ban Burton from drinking alcohol in a public place, having an open container in a public place and entering any amusement arcades in Mablethorpe, Trusthorpe and Sutton on Sea.
PC Pete MacLeod said: "It's important the local community are aware of the ASBO's conditions so they can assist us by reporting any breaches, if required.

"We truly hope this will not be necessary and the period in the young offenders institution will make a positive difference to Robert's behaviour, giving him time to think and every opportunity to turn his life around.
"When Robert is released we will do all we can to support him and equally provide support to the community that has been affected by his bad behaviour."

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/mablethorpe-sutton-on-sea-news/Mablethorpe-youth-given-ASBO.3361372.jp

WIGAN: Eleven arrests during anti-social behaviour crackdown (Wigan)

2007-10-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Eleven arrests during anti-social behaviour crackdown (Wigan)

Eleven people have been arrested as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour across Wigan and Leigh.

Operation Challenge, which ran for six weeks from July to September, was launched as a multi-agency initiative to address the problem of youth nuisance and criminal damage during the summer school holiday period.

Police carried out high-visibility patrols between 6pm and 11pm at weekends in hotspot areas including Beech Hill, Platt Bridge, Hindley and Golborne to gather intelligence on offenders and reassure communities.

A selection of leaflets were also given to young people informing them of constructive activities on offer during the summer months.

As well as the 11 arrests, police carried out 107 stop checks and issued 10 fixed penalty notices and five street warnings.

Officers also made over 150 alcohol confiscations and carried out 14 test purchases with Trading Standards to ensure licensed premises weren’t selling alcohol to under 18s.

In addition, police passed on the details of 440 young people engaging in anti-social behaviour to the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and ordered five people to sign acceptable behaviour contracts.

Inspector Liz Sanderson of Wigan Police said: “Throughout Operation Challenge we drove home the message that any form of anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated.

“Thanks to the vigilance and hard work of officers involved, several offenders were taken off the streets and prevented from either intimidating people or damaging public property. We will continue to run operations of this kind to ensure residents can enjoy a good quality of life in the borough.”

http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/a0e0cfda5b67bee48025736f0052965c.htm

Pennywell/Sunderland: Father stabbed to death after asking yobs to be quiet so his baby could sleep

2007-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

Father stabbed to death after asking yobs to be quiet so his baby could sleep

A gang of yobs stabbed a young father to death after he told them to be quiet so his baby could sleep, a court heard.

Kevin Johnson, 22, was getting ready for bed when he heard noises outside his home in Sunderland earlier this year.

Three teenagers challenged him to a fight and he went outside his home in Partick Road, Pennywell, to confront them shortly after midnight on May 19.

He was surrounded by the gang and fatally stabbed in the chest and then left to die in the street.

Kevin Johnson (above with his seven-month-old son Chase) was stabbed to death after telling a gang of yobs to be quiet so his baby could sleep

Dean Curtis, 19, of Forest Road, Ford Estate, Sunderland and two youths, aged 16 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all deny murder.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Mr Johnson, who was father to a seven-month-old baby, lived with his fiancee Adele Brett, 26, and her seven-year-old child from a previous relationship.

They had been out for the evening to a nearby pub and were going to bed when they heard shouting from their street.

Mr Johnson went to the front bedroom window to see where the commotion was coming from.

Prosecutor Robert Woodcock told the jury at Newcastle Crown Court that the three defendants were enticing Mr Johnson out of his home for a fight.

"Kevin was heard to shout: 'If you want to fight, just one on one and not the three of you,"' he said.

"They were beckoning with their hands, walking away from Kevin, clearly enticing Kevin to come towards them.

"All three were closing in on Kevin. One of them was moving his arms across his chest and Kevin was dodging out of the way.

"Two got closer to Kevin as he backed away he appeared to stumble and fall to the floor.

"He got back up and one of the males, the one furthest away, threw a rock or brick at him. It missed and fortunately fell on the road.

"Kevin said: 'You couldn't fight with your hands. You've stabbed me' and collapsed a wall struggling for breath."

The court was told that after fatally stabbing Mr Johnson, Curtis and the two youths ran off in a "heightened state".

On nearby Geddes Road they damaged two cars and were heard shouting about stabbing Mr Johnson.

"These are probably part phrases of triumphantilism about what they had just done," Mr Woodcock told the jury.

The barrister read from the transcript of a 999 call Mr Johnson's fiancee made to the police.

"I think my boyfriend has just been stabbed. I think he has been stabbed. He's fallen over a wall," Miss Brett said.

"Three boys have come round the corner causing trouble. He went outside to try and stop them."

A short time after stabbing Mr Johnson, the three approached Jamie Thompson, who was walking from a friend's house to meet his girlfriend, and attacked him.

Mr Thompson was stabbed in the chest but fortunately survived the attack.

The court was told that on the night Mr Johnson died the three defendants had been out together drinking.

After the attacks Curtis was later said to have told a friend that he asked one of the victims shortly before stabbing him: "Do you want to meet Mr Stanley?" - referring to the red handled Stanley knife he was carrying.

The three defendants deny the murder of Mr Johnson and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Thompson.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=486657&in_page_id=1770

TAUNTON: Police issue images of 'vandal'

2007-10-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

Police issue images of 'vandal'

The man is suspected of causing criminal damage

Police have released images of a man they suspect may have been involved in a series of criminal damage incidents in the centre of Taunton.

The man was captured on CCTV shortly after the front window of a shop in Severn Drive was smashed.

The window was damaged on 3 and 9 September and again on 7 October.

The man is described as white, of medium build, with short light-coloured hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a beige hooded top.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7036124.stm

BOLTON: Vandal-hit church takes action

2007-10-09T12:31:00.001-07:00

Vandal-hit church takes action

VANDALS have forced bosses at a Bromley Cross church to spend £12,000 erecting a two-metre high security fence around the building.

Members of St Andrew's Church in Queens Avenue say they are fed up with having to pick up empty beer and cider cans and other rubbish from around their building.

And in recent years the church, which is next to open playing fields, has suffered from damage caused when vandals have smashed a meter cupboard and water pipes.

The church was built 13 years ago after the previous timber and corrugated iron burned down in a fire and honorary treasurer Ted Browning said that although it was sad to have to seal off the building, churchgoers were determined it should not be damaged.

"The church is tucked away, which is why we have these problems. It is sad but we have got to protect it," he said.

A planning application to erect the green mesh metal fence and double gates at the entrance has been submitted to Bolton Council and councillors are expected to consider whether to allow it to go ahead next month.

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/display.var.1746765.0.vandalhit_church_takes_action.php

BRACKNELL: Underpass ordeal of teen at hands of bike yobs

2007-10-09T08:32:00.000-07:00

Underpass ordeal of teen at hands of bike yobs

TWO thugs on bicycles tried to grab a teenage girl’s bag as she walked alone through an underpass.

The 15-year-old was walking through in Downshire Way near Acacia Court in Bracknell at 8.30pm on Sunday when two boys on bicycles approached.

They cycled one either side of the girl and one tried to grab her bag, but she managed to break free and run away.

The youths are described as being white, aged between 14 and 16 and around 5ft tall.

The one who tried to steal the bag is slim, with a Bracknell accent and a high-pitched voice.

He was wearing a beige balaclava, a white hoodie with a motif at the front on the left, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

He was riding a silver bicycle.

The second boy was of medium build, wearing a dark hoodie and also riding a silver bicycle.

Anyone with information can call PC Joshua Pitts on 08458 505 505.

http://www.getbracknell.co.uk/news/2016/2016067/underpass_ordeal_of_teen_at_hands_of_bike_yobs?rss=yes

DARLINGTON: Pensioner targeted again by vandals

2007-10-09T08:31:00.000-07:00

Pensioner targeted again by vandals

A PENSIONER who had been organising a Dads' Army convention has had her car turned onto its side in the latest of a spate of vandal attacks.

Josie Collins, from Anfield Court, Red Hall, Darlington, was not in her Smart Car at the time it was attacked on Sunday night.

Mrs Collins, who celebrated her 75th birthday last week, said: "They turned the car over. They smashed it up and left it on its side.

"It is a complete write-off this time."

Police confirmed they were investigating a series of attacks on Mrs Collins and her family. The car was taken away for investigation.

Mrs Collins' Dads' Army convention, which was planned for the weekend, was postponed at the end of last week.

http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.1743402.0.pensioner_targeted_again_by_vandals.php

LEITH: New link in bid to tackle antisocial behaviour

2007-10-09T08:30:00.000-07:00

New link in bid to tackle antisocial behaviour

POLICE and housing associations in Leith have set up a forum to tackle antisocial behaviour.

They are discussing issues such as drug dealing, youth disorder and vandalism at monthly meetings in a bid to improve the quality of life in the area.

The forum aims to share information and encourage everyone to work together to make their communities safer.

The major housing providers in the area including Port of Leith, Manor Estates, Dunedin Canmore and Castle Rock Edinvar have all attended meetings. They have already helped police tackle problems related to mental health issues and preparing antisocial behaviour cases.

Sergeant Mark Rennie from the Safer Communities Unit at Leith Police Station said: "Reducing antisocial behaviour and making the community in Leith safer is everyone's responsibility. This type of integrated joint working is the best way to deliver that and already we are seeing progress.

"The housing associations in Leith own a significant proportion of the housing stock and it makes sense that the police and the council offer their full support to them and share the experience they have built up together over recent years in targeting problems."

Marjorie Wilson, housing director at Port of Leith Housing Association said "Our aim is to improve the quality of life in Leith and we welcome this opportunity to work closely with the police and the council to this end."

http://supernewstoday.com/scotland/New-link-in-bid-to-tackle-antisocial-behaviour/

YORK: Trouble couple are kicked out

2007-10-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Trouble couple are kicked out

TWO more nuisance neighbours have been kicked out of their house after a catalogue of "appalling" behaviour.

Barry Anderson, 21, and Kamara Griffiths, 19, were living in a council home in Kingsway West in Acomb, York, but have been booted out after York County Court heard how they had made their neighbours' lives a misery.

The pair had been tenants of the two-bedroom house since October 2005, and in those two years they managed to break the conditions of their tenancy agreement on 123 occasions.

Their persistent bad and antisocial behaviour included playing loud music, shouting and swearing, intimidating and harassing neighbours and riding mini-motos in the street, on the pavement, on Hob Moor and in the garden.

They also failed to keep their dogs under control and were verbally abusive and intimidating to council officers.

The judge, who awarded City of York Council immediate possession of the house, described their behaviour as "appalling".

Even after Anderson and Griffiths were served with harassment warnings and a warning regarding the use of mini-motos by the police, they continued with their spree of antisocial behaviour.

They also received several warnings about keeping their dogs under control, a noise abatement notice, a breach of tenancy notice, a warning about bonfires and a further warning about the use of mini-motos from the council's environmental protection team.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: "The behaviour of Kamara Griffiths, Barry Anderson and their visitors was intolerable for their neighbours and completely unacceptable to the council, as their landlord.

"Council departments and the police worked closely together to tackle the problem and to support the people who had to endure antisocial behaviour every day. Despite the many warnings and notices Griffiths and Anderson received, they carried on without any regard for their neighbours.

"We are very grateful to the neighbours who had the courage to come forward to give evidence, even in the face of persistent harassment. It was everyone working together that has put an end to these tenants' selfish, yobbish behaviour."

Anderson and Griffiths are just the latest council tenants to be evicted for antisocial behaviour.

The Press reported how Mark Caple was given the boot from his flat in Fossway last month, while Leanne Langstaff, also of Kingsway West, was evicted in August and Timothy Duckitt was kicked out of his flat in Burdyke Avenue, Clifton, in July for using it to grow cannabis.

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/yorknews/display.var.1743100.0.trouble_couple_are_kicked_out.php

PLYMOUTH: NO PARK REFUGE FOR BOOZE YOBS

2007-10-09T08:28:00.000-07:00

NO PARK REFUGE FOR BOOZE YOBS

Police have new powers to tackle boozy youngsters in Plymouth's parks.

The 'Directions to Leave' power - which has come about from the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006 - allows officer to order anyone over 16 to leave a designated area and stop them from returning if it's believed they are likely to cause or contribute to alcohol-related crime and disorder.

Police can order eager-to-brawl yobs away from pubs and clubs for 24 hours - or risk arrest for breaching the order.

Chief Supt Jim Webster has agreed to use the power in the main night-time economy areas of Mutley Plain, North Hill, the Barbican, Barbican leisure park, Union Street and Derry's Cross.

However, in a move which will delight many residents, Plymouth has become one of 22 areas across the country which the Home Office has asked to pilot an additional power.

As of Monday and through until November 5, an officer will be able to "impact on those public areas where alcohol consumption and disorder have been causing a nuisance to residents."

Sergeant Martin Worthington of Plymouth Licensing Department, said: "There are several parks and other public spaces where alcohol and disorder have been causing problems for residents.

"A police officer can now turn up and direct everyone to leave. Those failing to do so or returning within the prohibited time period commit an offence."

He urged residents who suffered from under-age drinkers to let their neighbourhood team know of the problem.

He said: "Used in conjunction with other powers, including the dispersal order powers, this new legislation has the potential to reduce alcohol-related crime and fear of crime in the evening and night time economy and residential areas. It is not a panacea, but it is an additional tool in the appropriate circumstances and we will use it proportionately."

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=18595048

KETTERING: Stop the fireworks hooligans

2007-10-09T08:26:00.000-07:00

Stop the fireworks hooligans

We want you to report the yobs to us

We are calling on readers to let us know if fireworks are a problem where they live

THE Evening Telegraph today launches a campaign to clamp down on yobs letting off fireworks late into the night – and we need your help.

Last year police mounted a number of operations in the county and seized 22 fireworks. They attended 31 fireworks-related incidents of anti-social behaviour, stopped and searched 22 people but only issued one on-the-spot fine of £80.

Yet the misery of fireworks being let off on the streets is far more widespread than this.

Last year hundreds of readers joined our debate and called for a total ban on the sale of fireworks to the public. The Government has imposed a curfew on when they can be let off and given police powers to issue fines.

We are calling on readers to let us know if fireworks are a problem where they live. We will record every call, forward them to the police and create a map to identify the worst areas.

Chief Inspector Sean Bell of Northamptonshire Police said: "Fireworks may be fun in the right place and at the right time but every year hundreds of calls are made to the police by people who are alarmed by, or just fed up with the noise of fireworks being used inappropriately in the street."

Our campaign has won the immediate backing of residents in Burton Latimer who have handed a petition into their MP Philip Hollobone, calling for a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public.

http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Stop-the-fireworks-hooligans.3308383.jp

LYNEMOUTH: Vandals attack thegrave of ex-miner

2007-10-09T08:25:00.000-07:00

Vandals attack thegrave of ex-miner

VANDALS wrecked the grave of a grandfather who died after a battle with leukaemia.

Former miner James Brown is buried in Lynemouth cemetery, but twice in the last week his grave has been vandalised by yobs, bringing misery to his family.

In the first attack last weekend a photograph of Mr Brown that was attached to his grave was smashed and destroyed and then, just a few days later, his headstone was pelted with stones, chipped and kicked over.

Mr Brown’s widow, Mary, 72, of Dalton Avenue, said she had been unable to sleep because of what had happened.

She added: “I just don’t know what to think. I don’t know why anyone would do this to my husband, he never did anybody any harm.

“He was a good man and a good husband, and we were married 52 years.

“I haven’t slept since it happened. It is such a worry because you don’t know how much it is going to cost to repair.

“The grave had his photograph in it but that is destroyed. It is the only grave to be damaged and I just don’t see how they could do this to my husband.”

Mr Brown, who had two sons and a daughter, died from the disease aged 69 in 2002.

His son, also James, 52, said he was angry at what had happened.

He said: “It is just disgusting and you could not get any lower.

“He was well liked by everybody and it has especially upset my daughter, his granddaughter, Linda, who is six.

“She understands exactly what has happened and when we told her she just screamed.

“It has left me upset and full of hatred. We will be able to get a new photograph and a new headstone, but you are just scared it will happen again.

“He was a hard working miner who spent his life in the pit. He was also a tremendous athlete, both a boxer and a runner, and you wonder how anyone could do this.”

James’s wife, Tracey, added: “He just didn’t deserve this. It has upset the whole family.”

She added that the family had looked at the other graves in the cemetery, and that her father in law’s appeared to be the only grave to be desecrated.

A police spokesman last night confirmed that both incidents had been reported and added: “Further inquiries are being carried out. Anyone with any information should contact Ashington police.”

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2007/10/08/vandals-attack-thegrave-of-ex-miner-61634-19913937/

LIVERPOOL: Police arrest 22 in anti-social behaviour blitz

2007-10-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

Police arrest 22 in anti-social behaviour blitz

TWENTY-TWO people were arrested for off-ences ranging from drug dealing to firearms and drink-driving, during a week-long anti-social behaviour crackdown.

The operation by Merseyside police targeted Wirral under the Respect agenda.

Officers raided 10 addresses and made 13 arrests for the supply and or possession of controlled drugs, as well as for firearms offences, assault, burglary, handling stolen goods, theft and drink driving.

They also seized drugs including what was believed to be heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis and nandroline.

A truancy sweep saw seven children referred to educational welfare, alcohol seizures were made from under-age drinkers, and three new acceptable behaviour contracts were issued to young people.

The work also led to 27 new members of the Vehicle Watch scheme being recruited to help reduce car crime, and a graffiti clean-up was held in Laird Street, in Birkenhead.

Caroline Laing, manager of Wirral anti-social behaviour team said: “It is fantastic that the police whole heartedly embraced ‘Respect Wirral’.

“We very much look forward to building upon that success with the police and our partners in our continuing efforts to make Wirral a safer place.”

Police from Wirral also teamed up with Port of Liverpool officers to carry out raids in Seacombe.

More than 50 officers joined forces and travelled in convoy to Demesne Street, Seacombe, where they raided three houses and the Leasowe Castle pub. Six people were arrested for the possession of controlled drugs and the pub was closed.

It is still shut and the police licensing team are in discussions about its future .

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/09/police-arrest-22-in-anti-social-behaviour-blitz-100252-19920035/

GLASGOW: Neighbours from hell are evicted

2007-10-09T08:17:00.001-07:00

Neighbours from hell are evicted


	Tracy McNaughton accused neighbours of 'making up lies' about her after she was evicted from her home


	An eviction notice is put up in Powerfoot Street in Parkhead by police officers


	Homes are boarded up after the closure order

THIS is one of five neighbours from hell who was thrown out of her home in Glasgow's East End.

Action can signal new crackdown on rogue tenants

HOUSING chiefs admit it has taken time for agencies to start using the new anti-social legislation, introduced three years ago.

But they hope the action taken in Parkhead will come to be viewed as the test case which succeeded in ridding housing estates of rogue tenants.

Under the terms of last week's order, the five residents thrown from their homes in Powfoot Street are banned from returning for three months.

Until then the premises will remain sealed off with shutters covering the windows and doors.

But Parkhead Housing Association chief executive Jim Strang says the organisation has no intention of allowing the five back in three months for a "welcome home party".

He is preparing to go back to court this week to have them formally evicted.

If there is not enough court time to complete the eviction process within three months then police will seek a three-month extension of the closure order.

Glasgow's first closure order was obtained in 2005 against David Haith, who lived at Lethington Tower in Shawlands.

Residents had complained of parties, fighting, drug-taking and drinking.

Tracy McNaughton was evicted after police were called to her street more than 100 times in three months.

The closure orders on the three properties in the city's Powfoot Street in Parkhead were enforced after years of complaints.

The families were ordered to leave on Friday at 3pm and given just three hours to remove their personal belongings and get out.

Police and housing chiefs went to Glasgow Sheriff Court armed with a massive catalogue of incidents they claimed were linked to the three homes.

They ranged from shouting and playing loud music to street fights, vandalism and assaults, including at least one serious assault.

It was the first time a multiple closure order had been obtained by a Scottish court since the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act came into force in 2004.

One neighbour said the estate in Parkhead would be "putting the flags out" and another said the action would give them "well-deserved respite".

The closure order - issued by Sheriff Deirdre MacNeill - is for three months but the five residents at the centre of the action will now be served with eviction notices by their landlords, Parkhead Housing Association.

They were named as Mary Dearie, 52, and her son, John Dearie, 20, of 34 Powfoot Street, McNaughton, 27, who lived in the same close, and Nicola McInally, 36, and her son Jamie McInally, 18, of 42 Powfoot Street.

After leaving her flat on Friday afternoon, a defiant McNaughton said she had done nothing except play loud music and accused neighbours of "making up lies" about her.

But Superintendent Michelle Martin said: "There has been a lot of anti-social behaviour around here for some considerable time.

"I take no great pleasure in putting people out of their homes but this sends out a powerful message to the local community that we take their complaints seriously and are willing to act on their behalf."

The hearing was told the blocks - with a nursery and sheltered housing complex nearby - were covered in graffiti, broken glass, litter and urine.

Superintendent Martin added that they had "commandeered a notoriety".

The court heard mobs of youths regularly visited the homes armed with Buckfast, cider and drugs.

McInally's son brought friends from Castlemilk who were often involved in violent clashes with yobs congregating at the homes of the other two women.

On June 30 this year, an innocent 15-year-old - whose dad lived in one of the tenements - was walking his dog when he was caught in the middle of a fight and seriously assaulted.

PC Gary Price - community officer for the area - said there had been an 188% rise in reported crime and disorder in the street from last year - the main problems stemming from these three flats.

Jim Strang, chief executive of Parkhead Housing Association, said: "This sends a clear message to anti-social tenants within the association that we are really serious in dealing with this."

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1745667.0.neighbours_from_hell_are_evicted.php

PAISLEY: Good news in bid to beat anti-social behaviour

2007-10-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

Good news in bid to beat anti-social behaviour

A BUMPER £40,000 cash chest to tackle anti-social behaviour on the streets of Renfrewshire has been welcomed.

Bill Wilson MSP, who represents the West of Scotland region for the SNP, has said the cash boost for Community Safety Partnerships is good news for families across Renfrewshire.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has made an additional £1million available to make towns and cities safer, of which £40,000 will be spent in the Paisley area.

The money will be used to fund a new anti-violence campaign, as well as for initiatives such as high-visibility policing in problem areas, late-night taxi marshalling schemes and ‘safe zones.’

Dr Wilson said: “This is good news for Renfrewshire, which should be welcomed by everyone.

“As in many areas in Scotland, the problem of anti-social behaviour, particularly alcohol-fuelled violence, needs to be tackled here head-on.

“These schemes launched by the Scottish Government send the message that this type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

http://icrenfrewshire.icnetwork.co.uk/pde/news/tm_headline=good-news-in-bid-to-beat-anti-social-behaviour&method=full&objectid=19920827&siteid=63858-name_page.html

ST.ALBANS: Anti-social youths have moved on

2007-10-09T08:14:00.001-07:00

Anti-social youths have moved on

ANTI-SOCIAL teenagers are looking for a new place to hang out after security cameras were installed in a parade of shops in St Albans.

Shops in Cell Barnes Lane clubbed together to raise £1,200 towards CCTV and since the installation two weeks ago, and this week shopkeepers revealed that the number of troublesome youths loitering outside shop fronts has dropped.

According to shopowners anti-social behaviour has been a problem in recent months - yobs gathering in the area drink alcohol, thieve, fight and intimidate elderly people visiting the the stores.

But the new security scheme, also funded by the community safety partnership and the council, is acting as a deterrent and less youths are making a nuisance of themselves.

Owner of Bubbles launderette, who does not want to be named because she fears repercussions, said: "Kids used to gather and older people were scared to come here, now it is much better than before."

Steven Brill, owner of the chemist for 14 years, said: "We had a break in - they didn't take very much, but they made a mess that cost us £2,000."

Mr Brill thinks it is too early to be sure the CCTV will combat anti-social behaviour in the area, but he is hopeful the scheme will be a success.

"There's been less trouble," he said. "But it's hard to say, but I like to think it will work."

Earlier this year burglars broke into the Hulse greengrocers and stole money from the till and caused damage to the shop front.

Jackie Webb, who has been a manager of the greengrocers for 37 years, said: "If we had cameras at the time we would have seen who the culprits were.

"It's piece of mind - we know if there's any trouble we can look on the Co-ops cameras now."

Jackie said she has noticed a drop in the number of young people hanging around the parade of shops in the last two weeks and she believes the CCTV is the reason youths are steering clear of the area.

"Now that we have cameras on the parade, if we have any problems we can get some answers."

Shopkeepers are pleased about the increased police presence patrolling the parade and they believe this has also helped to reduce the disruptive gangs gathering in the outside the shops.

PC Hiscock, neighbourhood officer for the Cell Barnes area, said: "I am confident that these new cameras will make a difference locally, not only to the shopkeepers and their staff, but to members of the public who will hopefully feel safer while they are shopping."

http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/news/stalbans/display.var.1743955.0.antisocial_youths_have_moved_on.php

West Mercia : Anti trick or treat poster launched

2007-10-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

Anti trick or treat poster launched

A POSTER campaign for people not wanting to be intimidated by "trick or treat" has been launched by police.

West Mercia Constabulary have published a poster for people who do not want to take part in the tradition of Trick or Treat.

The poster can be displayed on windows or doors, warning track or treaters not to call at the property.

A police spokesman said they were committed to reducing incidents of anti social behaviour, which may be linked to Halloween.

"We want all those who wish to celebrate Halloween to have an enjoyable and safe experience and to ensure those who do not wish to participate in the tradition of Trick or Treat have the opportunity to make their views known in a polite and clear way," he said.

"With this in mind, the force is producing a poster designed to be stuck in windows and doors, making it clear that Trick or Treat is not welcome. In addition we are also producing a simple crime prevention leaflet to target those who will be taking part in Halloween traditions with some personal safety advice. This is particularly aimed at school age children and is being sent to all schools in the force area for them to use as they wish to inform their pupils," he added.

The poster will be available in the next few days for collection from police station front counters at Worcester, Droitwich, Evesham, Malvern and Pershore.

http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/wnnewslatest/display.var.1743347.0.anti_trick_or_treat_poster_launched.php

South Gloucestershire and Frampton: Plea to tackle drug abuse and anti-social behaviour

2007-10-09T08:09:00.000-07:00

Plea to tackle drug abuse and anti-social behaviour

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour and drug abuse have been identified by villagers in Frampton Cotterell and Westerleigh as their main priorities to be tackled.Residents told a newly formed Safer Stronger Community Group made up of police, health bosses and councillors that they were most concerned about drug taking and teenage disturbances in their villages.

They voted for police to prioritise on tackling those problems above other highlighted issues such as parking, speeding and road lay-outs.

The meeting was the first of a new police-led initiative linking various community services to tackle crime and community issues.South Gloucestershire and Frampton Cotterell parish Cllr Dave Hockey said: "We have some real big problems in our area with young people going out and taking drugs.

"In Crossbow Park the play field caretaker is picking up hundreds, and I mean hundreds, of empty drug packets every month.

"While down near Nightingale Bridge I often see young people blatantly under the influence of drugs, with their noses running and their eyes all over the place. It is not a pleasant sight."

The group was also told of regular glue-sniffing hot spots in Frampton Cotterell and of a drug van which ran 'a delivery round' of the area on Friday and Saturday nights.

Residents at the meeting voted for tackling speeding in Westerleigh Road as a second priority and introducing a weight restriction in Westerleigh as a third.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Andrew McIlrath said the community's concerns had been taken on board.

He said: "In response to concerns over drug use we are to commit further resources to highlighted areas, carry out drug searches and possibly set an operation in the area to identify dealers.

"The meeting is the start of what we hope to be a successful initiative, giving people a say about what we do in policing terms and other services.

The group's next meeting will be at Westerleigh village hall on January 8.

http://www.gazetteseries.co.uk/news/latestnews/newsroundup/display.var.1739778.0.plea_to_tackle_drug_abuse_and_antisocial_behaviour.php

MANCHESTER: Yobs cause mayhem

2007-10-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Yobs cause mayhem

RAMPAGING yobs caused mayhem on the streets twice in 24 hours.

A terrified councillor was forced to call 999 two nights in a row as she watched a gang of up to 40 youths rampage through the Wellfield area of Rochdale.

Jean Ashworth had been visiting her grandson, in Woodbine Street, when the trouble started.

She said: "There were dozens of youths charging through the streets at a car. They were throwing bricks and smashing its windows.

"I was so worried about what they might do next that I called the police."

Trouble again broke out 24 hours later and Coun Ashworth rang the police.

She said: "The car was in a terrible state but it was the size of the group which terrified me. It is normally such a quiet street so it was terrible to see this attack."

Insp Nadeem Mir said the police presence had been stepped up in the area. Police and support officers are to patrol the streets at weekends.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1018730_yobs_cause_mayhem

Newcastle area: Drunken yob deserves to suffer in jail

2007-10-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Drunken yob deserves to suffer in jail

A YOB jailed for hurling a drain cover through a car window, narrowly missing a little girl, deserves all he gets.

The gran of the girl who was inches from death says she is pleased he is behind bars.

Benjamin Butler, of Northumberland Avenue, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, was jailed for eight months at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting carrying out the violent spree last October.

Thug Butler, 28, had already assaulted two people when he hurled the drain cover at grandmother Wendy Hart’s car.

It smashed through Mrs Hart’s back windscreen and landed inches from her four-year-old granddaughter Ella, covering her with shards of glass. Luckily Ella escaped without injury but, Mrs Hart said, Butler’s violent recklessness has had far-reaching effects.

Mrs Hart, who is married to George, also 44, and has three children Leanne, 26 – Ella’s mother – Ashleigh, 22, and George, 18, said: “It was a Saturday and we had been at a family Halloween party and had a great time. But it was late so I was taking Ella home and she was asleep in her chair on the back seat.

“I pulled in to reverse on to the drive at the back of the house and heard a noise. My fence is often damaged by people so I went to see everything was OK. There were a few people but they weren’t nearby so I went back to the car and was about to pull in when there was a huge crash.

“I thought it was me and I didn’t know what was going on. Ella woke up and then I looked around and saw the drain cover in the car inches from her. Then Butler was at the window shouting all kinds of abuse at me and then he punched me.”

After that, Butler walked away and Mrs Hart was left alone.

She said: “I picked Ella up and there was glass all over her. I could feel it and I didn’t want to hold her too closely in case it cut her, but I couldn’t leave her where she was.

“It was in her sleeves and her hair. It was everywhere.

“The drain cover buckled the parcel shelf at the back and was inches from Ella.

“It was so heavy it took two people to get it out of the car. If it had hit her I doubt she would have had a chance. At the least, she would have been seriously injured.”

Mrs Hart said Ella, a keen tap and ballet dancer, who is now five, still mentions the night a year on.

She said: “She doesn’t like going in the car anymore and if it’s dark when we go out she asks if the nasty man is going to come back.

“And she won’t stay in the car if I am reversing it into the drive. It is a shame because she is such a happy and sociable little girl.

“If it was up to me he would have got a lot longer but I’m pleased he’s got a custodial sentence at least.”

The court heard before turning his attentions to Mrs Hart, Butler had attacked strangers Mark and Alan Wilson with a piece of fence.

He then kicked a woman’s car twice. At Newcastle Crown Court, he admitted three assaults and one count of criminal damage.

Jailing him, Judge Tony Lancaster, said: “You must have been seriously affected by the alcohol you consumed because not only did you claim to have no memory of what took place but you also set about wreaking damage and injury upon four innocent people whom you had never met before.”

Paul Caulfield, defending, said: “He could not believe he was capable of such events, he is genuinely remorseful.”

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2007/10/08/drunken-yob-deserves-to-suffer-in-jail-72703-19914945/

WEMBLEY: Top cop's yob fright

2007-10-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

Top cop's yob fright

A top policeman says he is too scared to travel on his own late at night after being attacked on a train.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Inspector Glen Smyth was punched for tackling a lout after an England match at Wembley. He suffered a black eye and cuts.

The 49-year-old told a court: "I don't feel I could be on my own on late-night trains. I felt extremely shaken."

Ian Bird, 27, of Bracknell, Berks, admitted assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour and resisting an officer.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/10/08/top-cop-s-yob-fright-89520-19912912/

WIGAN: Partners aim to root out the yobs

2007-10-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

Partners aim to root out the yobs

NO NONSENSE: Atherton area
housing manager Joanne Makin,
Inspector Anne Scott and WALH
neighbourhood anti-social behaviour
officer Tom Langle

If you make life a misery for others, you will be dealt with – that's the message from a new partnership in Atherton which has vowed to crack-down on anti-social behaviour.

Wigan and Leigh Housing, the police and council have joined forces with local residents to tackle neighbourhood nuisance.
And the word from the partners is that they won't hesitate to take strong action against the minority who are ruining life for others.
In recent months the area has seen four arson attacks on council-owned accommodation break-ins, vandalism and
intimidating and unruly behaviour.
Atherton area housing manager Joanne Makin said: "Wigan and Leigh Housing's Tenant Board members have asked that we get better on tackling anti-social behaviour.

"Part of the problem is from a very small minority of tenants. But we have also found that people who are coming from outside the area to visit tenants are causing problems. They are either breaking in or being let into our buildings by some residents and causing a nuisance and distress to others once they are inside.
"We are currently changing the door entry systems to some of the effected blocks and we have also gated off two garage sites where criminal activity was occurring.
"It is essential to thank local residents and ward councillors who are working with us, both in terms of providing information and support. We are all of determined to see an end to this type of behaviour."

Joanne added: "Our officers are always willing to work with residents who may be having problems and we would always seek to resolve any issues in an amicable way.
"But we won't hesitate to take action against those who refuse to work with us and continue to cause problems."
Atherton Area Police Inspector Anne Scott has committed extra resources to tackling anti-social behaviour in the area but stresses that the problems are not unique to Atherton.
"We do want to give the impression that the problems in Atherton are in some way worse than other areas because that is certainly not the case," she said.

"The overwhelming majority of residents are decent, law-abiding people who want rid of this type of behaviour as much as we do. "In fact, I see this very much as a partnership between the police, council and Wigan and Leigh Housing and our fourth partner is the community itself. We want residents to work with us and let us know what is happening and where so we can take the best action.

"I have assigned Sgt Liz Sanderson and two community police officers to this initiative and we are looking forward to some very positive results.
"Our message to people from within the community who are causing problems is to consider your actions and work with us.
"Our message to those coming into the area from outside to cause havoc is to stay away."

Wigan Council's Cabinet Champion for Neighbourhoods, Coun Keith Cunliffe said: "Residents should not have to put up with the misery caused by those selfish few intent on causing mayhem.
"Those causing the problems have to realise that there are consequences to their action and ultimately they have to take responsibility. All we want is for people to respect their neighbours, respect property, respect their communities and behave like adults."

http://www.wigantoday.net/wigan-news/Partners-aim-to-root-out.3287525.jp

PEACEHAVEN/Sussex: Yobs smash car windscreens in dangerous new craze

2007-10-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

Yobs smash car windscreens in dangerous new craze

Yobs are embarking on a dangerous new craze of jumping on cars and running over them called 'rainbowing'.

Teens run across the car's bonnet, windscreen, roof and down on to the boot and back again.

Once they grow bored they then smash the windscreen.

Shocked motorists in Peacehaven discovered the damage, which will cost up to £100 for each car, over the past week.

Sergeant Robin Fuller, of Sussex Police, said: "We are carrying out inquiries. The offences appear to be part of a trend which we are eager to combat it by arresting those responsible.

"From the evidence we have at the moment, witnesses have seen the youths run over the vehicles causing the windscreens to smash. These offences are extremely annoying and when the offenders are identified we will be taking swift action to put them before the courts.

"We had something like this about a year ago but it was very sporadic with one or two instances. All of a sudden this week it's come to the fore in Peacehaven.

"We've had about nine cases where the youths have run across over the top of a car and back again. They have dented cars and then kicked the windscreens through.

"It's the odd one or two that are doing it. One neighbour saw the youths dressed in grey, but unfortunately their faces could not be seen.

"We believe it's the same people. Fortunately it's not a huge gang but the odd couple youths that are out and about doing it but we are keen to put a stop to it."

The series of attacks started last Wednesday night when a car in the Meridian Centre car park, on Meridian Way, had it's windscreen smashed.

It continued the following evening on Thursday when four other vehicles close to the area had their windscreens put through.

Two of the vehicles were parked in Southview Road, while the others were at Cinque Foil and The Bricky.

Two more cars were damaged on Friday night in Glynn Road while another was damaged on Saturday night parked in a driveway in Arundel Road.

Witnesses to the Friday night attack saw two boys dressed in grey hoodies run over a neighbour's vehicle and smash the windscreen before running off.

Have you been a victim of 'Rainbowing'? Let us know by calling The Argus on 01273 544531 or leaving your comments below.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1744276.0.yobs_smash_car_windscreens_in_dangerous_new_craze.php

MANSFIELD: Sutton street's plague of vandals

2007-10-09T00:46:00.000-07:00

Sutton street's plague of vandals

A FED-UP Sutton man has slammed the yobs who vandalised his car on Friday –– saying the attack is the latest in a series of acts of 'mindless vandalism' in his neighbourhood.

Paul Gannon says he and his neighbours have been plagued by youths who he claims are behind a spate of damage in The Twitchell area, which has seen car windows smashed and fences broken.

On one occasion, yobs even smashed seven slabs at the front of an elderly resident's house on the street.

Said Mr Gannon: "They have caused considerable damage over the last few months and last Friday they smashed my window and broke off my wing mirror on my new car.

"I have two little children and so need a good car. We struggled to buy this one –– with me working two jobs –– and then this happens.

He told Chad that he believes the hooliganism has spread from the town centre into nearby residential areas.

"At one point there were three Autoglass vans on the street repairing people's car windows," said Mr Gannon. "It is a group of youths aged about 19 or 20 and I have reported them to the police. It's just mindless vandalism."

Progress

This week Sutton police chiefs said they were working hard to reduce crime in The Twitchell area –– with officers making significant progress in tackling anti-social behaviour in the town, particularly around Sutton Lawn, Leamington and the town centre.

Said Sutton beat manager Sgt Andy Clarke: "I know that the local Safer Neighbourhood Team, which covers The Twitchell area, has been working closely with the local community to address their concerns, and have achieved sizeable reductions in anti-social behaviour.

"However, I'd be the first to acknowledge there is still more to be done to prevent and detect such instances, which can be very disruptive and upsetting to those involved.

"Thankfully, this would appear to be a relatively isolated incident, which is not to say it was not deeply distressing to the victim."

http://www.chad.co.uk/ashfieldnews/Sutton-streets-plague-of-vandals.3340719.jp

BRADFORD: Fine work undone by yobs

2007-10-09T00:44:00.000-07:00

Fine work undone by yobs

There is an army of unsung heroes in our communities making life that little bit better for everyone. They are the carers, coaches, club secretaries and the like, volunteers who give up their time for others.

Sadly, just as these people go about their business, there are others - though thankfully a tiny minority - intent on ripping down whatever these stalwarts build up, moving us two steps backwards for every one forward and dragging our and their area into the mire.

The latest example of such wanton destruction is at Shipley Juniors FC's Hirst Lane ground. The club, which nurtures the talents of around 600 youngsters, no doubt keeping them fit, healthy and off the streets into the bargain, is now looking at a bill of at least £1,000 to replace new floodlights destroyed by vandals.

So set on destruction were these yobs, that they risked their lives by climbing 40ft in the pitch black. There is no glory in such deeds, and the perpetrators are lucky it is only their vandalism and not a serious accident or worse that is being reported, though that warning will no doubt fall on deaf ears. It is to be hoped, therefore, that a court appearance cannot be too far away, and that it, allied to the threat of stiffer penalties to follow, will shock them into better behaviour.

For the club, perhaps there is someone out there who can help with training facilities, as such a worthy organisation deserves a break, and not just from the yobs' attention.

http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/features/featuresourview/display.var.1742401.0.fine_work_undone_by_yobs.php

DUNDEE: Fireworks crackdown

2007-10-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

Fireworks crackdown

A three-pronged crackdown is to be mounted in Dundee in a bid to stem the misuse of fireworks.

Tayside Fire and Rescue, Tayside Police and Dundee City Council have announced they will be working closely as November 5 approaches.

An increase of almost 20% in the number of injuries from fireworks last year in Scotland is the catalyst.

The focus will be on reducing the number of unauthorised bonfires and fireworks offences.

Tayside Fire and Rescue Watch Manager, and Community Safety Officer, Ian Keir told the Tele, “There are small pockets in the central area of city that are cause for concern, but problems can crop up anywhere.

“We are high profile in doing preventative work and will be very proactive again this year.”

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police said a trouble-free bonfire night was a priority.

She added, “Everyone, particularly young people, should be aware of the legislation.

“The public should report anyone they believe is using fireworks illegally or anyone who may be selling fireworks to those under the age of 18.

“If we have evidence that individuals or groups of people are persistently causing nuisance, harm or distress with fireworks we can use the powers under the Anti Social Behaviour Act.”

The spokeswoman said that, in previous years, youngsters

had been a source of annoyance by building unauthorised bonfires in public places in the days before Guy Fawkes night.

“In order to try and reduce the number of incidents, we ask shopkeepers and factories not to leave rubbish or any other material outside their premises in the run up to bonfire night.”

Tayside Police and officers from Dundee City Council’s environmental health and trading standards department will jointly carry out test purchasing operations at all 19 retailers in Dundee who are licensed to sell fireworks.

They will also check to see fireworks are stored correctly and there are no banned fireworks.

A council spokesman said, “The department intends to carry out under-age test purchasing of fireworks, because it is difficult to enforce the restriction in any other way.

“But, looking at previous years, there does not appear to be a big problem with the sale of fireworks to under-18s in Dundee.

“Most Dundee retailers have been shown to be responsible. We encourage retailers to ask for proof of age when they are in doubt.”

l In Scotland last year more than 90 people were injured by fireworks between October 11 and November 12. This was an increase of 27 on the preceding year. Of those hurt, more than half were under 16.

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2007/10/08/story10389855t0.shtm

BOLTON: Police act on nuisance neighbours

2007-10-06T13:30:00.001-07:00

Police act on nuisance neighbours

POLICE have joined forces with housing chiefs in Atherton to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Wigan and Leigh Housing, the police and local council are tackling neighbourhood troublemakers.

In recent months the area has seen four arson attacks on council-owned accommodation, as well as break-ins, vandalism, and intimidating and unruly behaviour.

Inspector Anne Scott, of Atherton Police, said: "The overwhelming majority of residents are decent, law-abiding people who want rid of this type of behaviour as much as we do."

Atherton Area Housing Manager Joanne Makin said: "Tenant Board members have asked that we get better on tackling anti-social behaviour."

The housing association is changing the door entry systems to some of the affected blocks and has gated off two garage sites where criminal activity was occurring.

Since April, it has also issued 12 court orders to evict problem tenants and worked with police on "crack house closures".

http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/display.var.1741104.0.police_act_on_nuisance_neighbours.php

CROOK/COUNTRY DURHAM: UK's first dispersal order in run-up to Guy Fawkes

2007-10-06T13:28:00.000-07:00

UK's first dispersal order in run-up to Guy Fawkes

COUNCILLORS have approved the country's first dispersal order for fireworks.

Leading up to Bonfire Night last year, in the Low Mown Meadows area of Crook, there were 52 incidents of anti-social behaviour relating to fireworks in the six weeks before November 5 - the highest in County Durham.

On Wednesday, Wear Valley District Council's policy and strategic development control committee approved a dispersal order - similar to an anti-social behaviour order, but placed on an area, rather than an individual.

The order means that any person under the age of 16, who is in the area after 9pm without good reason, can be asked to move on.

Elaine Baker, the council's community safety manager, said the aim was to reduce the number of small or secondary fires.

"It is the first time a dispersal order has been used for secondary fire problems," she said.

"It means that if the police or police community support officers (pcsos) see groups causing anti-social behaviour, they can disperse them, send them home, or even escort them."

Since 2003, when there were only 12 fire-related incidents reported, every year has seen an increase.

Councillor Geoff Mowbray, who represents the Crook South ward, said: "It will probably give a better quality of life to residents in the area than last year. They must have gone through hell."

Skips have been provided to reduce the amount of rubbish in the area, and youth engagement workers are hoping to work with local youngsters.

Ms Baker said it is not just youngsters from the estate who start the fires, but also teenagers from other areas.

She said: "If they're playing football, that's not an issue. But if the police see them with wood, they would ask them to move on. It's a trial this year and, hopefully, if it works well this year, it'll be something we repeat."

http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1737589.mostviewed.uks_first_dispersal_order_in_runup_to_guy_fawkes.php

WEAR VALLEY: Stab vests and cameras for wardens

2007-10-06T13:27:00.000-07:00

Stab vests and cameras for wardens

WEAR Valley street wardens will soon be wearing stab-proof vests and high-tech cameras to keep them safe as they tackle anti-social behaviour.

All of the wardens will be issued with anti-stab vests which they will wear at all times while on duty, funded by the Wear Valley Crime and Disorder Fund.

And they will also become the first wardens in the North East to trial a hi-tech miniature camera, which attaches to clothing, in a bid to catch offenders of anti-social behaviour. The tiny camera will be placed onto the jacket and records audio and visual information onto a hard drive, worn as part of a belt.

Street Warden supervisor, Debbie Hibbits said: “It’s all about improving the service the street wardens offer and giving them as much equipment as possible to enable them to do their jobs.

“We are trying to reassure the public that we are taking as many measures as possible to tackle the issues that most concern them.”

“We’ve never had cause to warrant a stab vest, but think it is important that street wardens feel as safe as possible when carrying out their tasks."

Phil Shaw, Anti-social behaviour co-ordinator for the council, said: “We are one of the first council in the North East to use these cameras specifically for ASBOs.

“If the wardens receive a call to say there are gangs congregating in a certain area they will wear the camera to better equip them when they arrive at the scene, “They will only be used when the wardens have an inclination that anti-social behaviour is taking place.”

Footage from the cameras can be used as evidence in court to help secure a conviction. Each image is electronically stamped with the date and time of when it was taken.

An integrated GPS receiver allows tracking and mapping of the exact location of street wardens in the field.

The cameras will only be worn when the wardens feel they are going into a situation were there may be a disturbance or where there may be evidence of fly tipping.

Wireless CCTV Ltd have supplied the camera which the wardens will share and trial across the district for a month.

The cameras were handed out yesterday for a month’s trial.

If successful, each street warden will be given one as part of their uniform.

Wear Valley District Council currently employs 11 street wardens and another three will start work within the next few weeks.

Anyone wanting to contact the street wardens should telephone the Street Warden Supervisors Debbie Hibbitts and John Bevils on: 01388 761960 or 01388 761961.

http://www.wearvalleymercury.co.uk/wear-valley-news/story,1438.html

EXETER: SIX-MONTH EXTENSION AND ENLARGEMENT FOR ANTI-YOB ZONE

2007-10-06T13:24:00.000-07:00

SIX-MONTH EXTENSION AND ENLARGEMENT FOR ANTI-YOB ZONE

Exeter police have increased their powers to move on yobs in a residential area.

The Section 30 dispersal order in St Thomas has been renewed until March next year and the area it covers has been extended.

It now covers the Piazza Terracina on the Quay, Water Lane, Willeys Avenue and takes in Megabowl and the children's play area in Haven Road.

The ward was first placed under a dispersal order, which gives police the power to disperse groups of two or more who are causing a disturbance, in March this year.

This followed a 25 per cent increase in disorder in the area over the Christmas period.

That first order ran out in September but the city council's chief executive, Philip Bostock, agreed to have it extended.

Sgt Morris Elphick, responsible for policing the west of the city, said: "We will be able to use it to cover the period when the nights are drawing in and, of course, over the Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night period.

"It is a power that the new Police Community Support Officers can use and the order is working really well in St Thomas.

"We asked for the area it covers to be extended as there have been problems around the Megabowl and the children's play area in Haven Road.

"The order was used 70 times over the past six months for a variety of purposes, including dealing with under-age drinking and youth disorder.

"It has also been used to disrupt suspected drug use and drug dealing."

Local resident Robert Mounce said: "Things have improved since the Section 30 was introduced.

"We used to get groups congregating in Old Vicarage Road but they don't seem to do that any more."

Local councillors have backed the renewal of the dispersal order.

St Thomas councillor Rob Hannaford said: "I am very pleased that the chief executive has signed off on this.

"We need the renewal of the Section 30 to tackle problems of anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking in the ward.

"I am also very pleased with the PCSOs and all their hard work in St Thomas."

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=136993&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231418&home=yes&more_nodeId1=137002&contentPK=18595170

DERBY: COPS SHOW YOBS THE YELLOW CARD

2007-10-06T13:22:00.001-07:00

COPS SHOW YOBS THE YELLOW CARD

Troublemakers in Derby city centre face a two-pronged attack from this weekend.

Police will give them yellow warning cards and haul them off to a mobile police station.

Fourteen more police officers, special constables and police community support officers will be on the streets from 7pm tonight as part of Operation Relentless.

Anyone caught committing one of a range of minor offences will be handed a yellow cards with a warning on the front that they risk a fixed-penalty notice or arrest if they cause a disturbance on the city's streets.

The back of the cards shows the offence police believe they have committed - using obscene language, throwing missiles or litter, wilfully obstructing the highway, urinating in the street or being drunk and disorderly.

Anybody caught causing trouble will be taken to The Spot, where a mobile police station will be set up.

Superintendent Gary Knighton said it was hoped the mobile police station would increase awareness of the police presence on the streets and that the yellow cards would stop trouble before it started.

"We want people to come into Derby and enjoy themselves but we want them to do that without causing trouble or spoiling other people's enjoyment of the city of an evening," he said.

"The yellow cards are a warning for people to let them know what the consequences of their actions are.

"The aim of the mobile station is threefold. The first is reducing the number of assaults and incidents of disorderly behaviour in the city. The second is detecting assaults.

"And thirdly, we aim to increase awareness of police presence and provide reassurance to the public."

The mobile station is a camper-style van and will be at The Spot every Friday and Saturday Night until November 18.

It will not be permanently manned but officers will use it when needed.

Supt Knighton said: "At the moment, officers have to take people out of the city centre to St Mary's Wharf to issue things like fixed-penalty notices.

"The mobile police unit will allow them to take people to The Spot and deal with them there.

"When the operation ends, we will review how successful it was and could carry on using the mobile station."

This is the second stage of Operation Relentless.

The first ran throughout May and June and tackled a range of offences which police believe have the biggest impact on communities - violence, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, burglary and vehicle crime.

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=124378&command=displayContent&sourceNode=231734&home=yes&more_nodeId1=124522&contentPK=18596901

KINGSTON/SURREY: Targeting transport yobs

2007-10-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

Targeting transport yobs

The 57 and 71 bus routes have been identified as hotspots on a "battlefield" of crime and antisocial behaviour on Kingston's public transport.

Ways to tackle the problem were discussed at the annual meeting of transport pressure group Kingston Area Travellers Association (KATA) last week.

Steven Whiteway, commercial director of Quality Line Buses, said that protecting against graffiti and vandalism costs £10,000 per bus.

He said: "We need a zero tolerance approach and need to make parents responsible for crimes their children commit.

“We need a zero tolerance approach and need to make parents responsible for crimes their children commit."

Steven Whiteway

"Drivers are being regularly intimidated and we spend more than £100,000 a year replacing smashed glass on our buses - it's a battlefield out there."

Members of the police's 21-strong Safer Transport Team (STT) spelt out how they plan to curb crime and fear of crime by youths on public transport in Kingston.

Sergeant Stephen Sharrock, head of the STT in Kingston, said crime peaked between 3pm and 6pm and between 10pm and midnight.

There will also be tailored initiatives to curb crime on the 71 service from Chessington to Kingston and the 57 Streatham to Kingston service.

He said: "We are using police community support officers who are a high visibility presence out there to provide reassurance, a deterrent and will help combat the perception of insecurity on public transport."

Sgt Sharrock said that from 2006 to 2007 there were 387 bus-related crimes - about one a day over more than 40 routes in the borough.

He said the police would work with KATA and local schools to improve safety.

http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.1732823.0.targeting_transport_yobs.php

MILTON OF CAMPSIE: Yobs make life a 'misery' for residents

2007-10-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yobs make life a 'misery' for residents

CONCERNED residents say they are frightened to leave their homes at night - because of drunken yobs.

Villagers in Milton of Campsie say their lives are being made a misery by groups of rowdy teenagers.

One villager, who asked not to be named, said: "It's been a problem for a while, but it's really getting out of hand.

"Sometimes as many as 20 or 30 young people gather near our houses and sing sectarian songs, break bottles and throw stones at windows.

"There are times when we can't even walk out of our own driveway."
The 63-year-old says that the problems, centred around the Birdston Road area, have included cars being vandalism, assaults on visitors and gang fights.

Just over a week ago residents, including a disabled man, suffered a particularly upsetting attack.

The concerned resident said: "It was a Sunday night around 7pm. They started laughing and shouting, getting drunk and breaking bottles.

"Later they started running around the houses, kicking doors.

"They even broke an elderly neighbour's front window. I called the police several times, but nobody came until I made an emergency 999 call."

Residents in the area say they have had enough and are calling for urgent police action to tackle the problem before the situation gets even more out of control.

The worried householder said: "I know we can't go back to the days of having a bobby on the beat, but we really need a police presence here to sort out the problems permanently.

"The troublemakers know fine well that the police aren't around and they play on that. When the police do turn up the youths scatter until they have gone, then come back later."

Communities Inspector Colin Cooper said: "I am aware of this resident's concerns and have had a dialogue with him.

"I have arranged a meeting with Councillor Charles Kennedy to talk about the problems in Milton of Campsie, as well as other issues."

http://www.kirkintilloch-herald.co.uk/news/Yobs-make-life-a-misery.3292796.jp

HOLYHEAD: Cruel yobs tie cat for dog attack

2007-10-06T13:17:00.000-07:00

Cruel yobs tie cat for dog attack

SADISTIC yobs tied up a cat and allowed dogs to savage him.

Ginger-haired Oliver had a dog lead tied around his neck like a noose during his ordeal – which left him with teeth missing and bite wounds all over his body.

Last night, owners Alyson and Sam Pritchard, of Holyhead, put up a £1,000 reward to catch the sick gang.

They revealed how they became concerned after Oliver didn’t come home for two nights.

Then Alyson spotted a battered and bloodied Oliver in the grass in their garden.

A shocked Alyson, 48, said: “He was stood up in the grass and he had a bloodied leather leash which looked like a dog lead tied to his neck like a noose.

“I could see that there was blood on him. His leg was dangling. He had a swollen, bloody face, puncture wounds on his body and his teeth were missing.”

Alyson and husband Sam, 39, who have six children between them aged 12-24, rushed Oliver to the vet.

They also keep Rottweilers at their home in Cleveland Crescent, Holyhead,

“Oliver was in shock. He put him on a drip. He’d had a major beating. His skin was broken by dog bites.

“We can only believe he’s been held with the noose. Somebody has put that on him. That’s why it’s just so cruel.

“He lives with Rottweilers. If he hadn’t been held he wouldn’t have lost all his teeth. It’s sick what they have done to him.”

Oliver had been so badly treated that vets had to carry out an operation to insert a metal pin in his front leg.

He is on medication to stop the spread of infection on his open wounds on his chest.

They have put up a £1,000 reward for information which would lead to a conviction and will not allow Oliver to go out on his own again.

The RSPCA are appealing for information so that they can catch whoever is responsible.

RSPCA spokeswoman Judith Haw said: “We have to find out whose responsible, to prevent it happening to another animal. It’s not normal behaviour. This could be the first attack and there could be more.”

Inspector Sabina Dunkling added: “The fact that he returned home with a dog lead around his neck does indicate some deliberate act of cruelty has been inflicted on him.”

Ms Dunkling said: “We believe the dog that attacked would have been small to medium sized. The dog would have also sustained injuries such as bite wounds.

“I appeal to anyone with information to please get in contact with me. In the meantime I would warn other pet owners in this area to be wary of letting their animals out.”

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2007/10/06/cruel-yobs-tie-cat-for-dog-attack-55578-19907553/

STOCKTON: Plea for clues after family beaten by gang of yobs

2007-10-06T13:15:00.000-07:00

Plea for clues after family beaten by gang of yobs

POLICE have appealed for information after a family were beaten by a gang of up to 30 yobs.

Jeff and Maria Readman, from Thornaby, near Stockton, were on their way back from a children's party when they were set upon in the street.

Mrs Readman, 41, suffered a fractured skull and nose in the assault, which took place near the town's Stirling Way. She was in intensive care for two days, underwent two operations and has been left with a large scar across her forehead.

She has been told she will never regain her sense of smell due to nerve injuries.

Mr Readman was treated in hospital for a fractured cheek bone and was released the day after the attack, on September 22.

The couple's 15-year-old son, Ryan, suffered bruising to the back of his head, and Mr Readman's brother, Mark, 48, was treated for two broken fingers.

The couple's niece, Rebecca Readman, 24, and her boyfriend managed to escape uninjured and called the emergency services.

Mr Readman told police that he knew some of the men, aged between 17 and 25, but does not know why they were targeted.

He said: "We were coming back from a kiddies' party at about 10.20pm, walking to the Spitfire pub for the last couple of pints, when these kids started calling us and calling my daughter."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Police have made several arrests and they have been released pending further inquiries. Further arrests are anticipated."

Anyone who has information about the incident is asked to call Detective Sergeant Mick Todd, of Stockton CID, on 01642-302226.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1740983.0.plea_for_clues_after_family_beaten_by_gang_of_yobs.php

ROCHDALE: Yobs cause mayhem

2007-10-06T13:14:00.000-07:00

Yobs cause mayhem

SOUTH SHIELDS: Vandal attack a pane for pub bosses

2007-10-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

Vandal attack a pane for pub bosses

Fed-up ... Paul Simpson.

A COUPLE'S move into South Tyneside's most famous pub has gone from bad to worse.

New managers Paul and Beverley Simpson have yet to pull a pint at the Marsden Grotto in South Shields after the pub was closed in August – just as they moved in.

Cliff steps used for access were found to be in need of repair, which meant the pub no longer had a suitable fire escape and had to be closed by fire chiefs.

Initially they thought the pub could open on October 12 after council bosses placed a sign at the top of the steps.

Mr and Mrs Simpson were then told there would be an additional 21 days before work was completed.

Now the steps – and the pub – could be closed for six months.

And the couple were in for more disruption after four youngsters smashed 14 of the pub's windows and broke into an outside storage area before starting a fire on the beach.

Mrs Simpson said: "It was quite distressing at the time. But we have to keep telling ourselves everything will be okay.

"We are just getting on with it a day at a time. We can't get down about it, we have to stay positive."

Of the possible six-month closure, Mr Simpson, 34, said: "I don't know what will happen any more.

"My regional manager said I could start doing relief work in the area if the problem keeps going on though.

"While the pub has been closed we've been able to get on with the launch of the website, and work has now started on the new shop we're going to have outside, so it hasn't been a total waste of time."

A council spokesman today insisted the application for a six-month closure was due to legal requirements, and work should be carried out well before that.

He added: "We have appointed a specialist contractor to draw up a scheme to both repair the steps and protect the public from potential rock-fall.

"Meanwhile, we have had to seek an order to keep the footpath closed until necessary repair and maintenance works have been carried out.

"The law specifies that this kind of order is valid for a maximum of six months, but we are confident that works will be completed before then.

"We will be in a much better position to say how long works will take when specialist engineers have completed their initial assessment in two weeks' time."

Police also issued a warning to vandals targeting the pub, saying they could be cut off from help.

Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Sutton said: "If these youngsters had been seriously hurt, it would have been difficult for the emergency services to reach them with the steps being out of use. Luckily noone was injured."

The youngsters, all teenagers, are currently on police bail.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/Vandal-attack-a-pane-for.3296829.jp

PECKHAM/LONDON: Can you help catch yobs

2007-10-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

Can you help catch yobs

A GANG of thugs battered two helpless teenagers as sunbathers in a crowded park looked on.

The terrifying daylight attack began when the suspects asked their victims if they were "Peckham".

But before the two boys could answer, their attackers laid into them - kicking and punching them to the ground.

One of the victims managed to escape as the second boy was savaged in an attack witnessed by dozens of people on August 5.

The suspects - pictured here - then stole the victim's watch as he lay on the ground in Burgess Park, Peckham.

Also pictured are some of the people wanted by cops in connection with a series of crimes across Southwark in the last few months. Among the latest batch of snaps is a suspect in a stabbing in West Norwood on July 4 and a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery in Streatham Hill.

They have been caught on camera by the Met's specialist Viido unit - which scours CCTV footage from sources all across the borough to pick out suspects.

Most of the images are taken from buses and council-run cameras. The unit can also collect footage from private shops and businesses to help catch their suspects.

This latest batch includes those believed to be responsible for serious offences including robbery and assault.

*If you recognise anyone here, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200southlondonheadlines/tm_headline=can-you-help-catch-yobs&method=full&objectid=19897741&siteid=50100-name_page.html

Middlesborough: Man cleared of 'Mischief' assault

2007-10-06T08:48:00.000-07:00

Man cleared of 'Mischief' assault

Mr Fenwick denied assaulting youths

A man has been found not guilty of assault after chasing and catching youths who threw concrete at his home during "Mischief Night".

Mark Fenwick, 34, from Coulby Newham near Middlesbrough, handed the teenagers over to police, but was later arrested over claims he assaulted them.

The father-of-three told a Teesside Crown Court jury he believed he had "done the right thing" last October.

Cleveland Police said they had a duty to investigate allegations of assault.

Jurors took less than an hour to clear Mr Fenwick of two assault charges.

Mischief Night traditionally takes place on the night before Halloween and involves youths playing pranks, which can get out of hand.

After the hearing on Friday, Mr Fenwick said he and his family "just wanted to forget the whole thing".

The jury heard a concrete slab was thrown through Mr Fenwick's window on the night of the incident.

When he went outside he was confronted by a gang of about 30 youths armed with sticks, bricks and stones.

Later he saw them damaging nearby properties, so he and a neighbour gave chase across some fields.

The two men caught three boys and planned to hold them until the police arrived, but handed them over to a passing police van.

But one of the youths claimed he had been "strangled" and hit with a stick, while another alleged he had been punched.

Reasonable force

During the trial, Mr Fenwick consistently denied "going over the top" and said he was attempting to apprehend youths who had caused damage to his and neighbouring homes.

After the verdict, Insp Charlie Bell of Cleveland Police, said: "Although people have the right to defend their property, they must do so with reasonable force according to the specific circumstances they find themselves in.

"In this case, police were contacted with allegations of assault and as such we were duty bound to investigate these claims.

"A thorough investigation took place before we presented all the facts to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). They deemed the matter should go before the court.

"The jury has made its decision today and we must accept this decision."

A CPS spokesperson added: "This was an allegation of assault by a man armed with a wooden pole against youths whom he believed had damaged his home.

"We considered medical evidence and photographs of the injuries in making our decision that the case should go to court.

"There was no evidence to show the youths he caught had been involved in the incident or had committed any offence.

"There was no criticism by the judge of the CPS for bringing this prosecution."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/7030089.stm

WIRRAL: 'ASBO Towers' plans move ahead

2007-10-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

'ASBO Towers' plans move ahead

CONTROVERSIAL 'ASBO Towers' plans to house Wirral's most notorious families under one roof are within touching distance.

In just months, problematic people could be forced to live together under Big Brother'-style conditions as the government's Respect agenda is officially launched.

But there is still speculation about where the unit will be based and the borough's cabinet remains "in the dark" about the locations that are in the pipeline.

Family intervention projects, which monitor troublesome tenants around the clock, have achieved an 84% success rate across the country.

The most severe element of the dual-pronged projects would force Wirral's top five rogue families to live together in a core residential unit,' or else face cuts to their benefits.

Intensive support, supervision and enforcement action is given under the initiative in a bid to rid communities of antisocial behaviour caused by nuisance neighbours.

Behavioural contracts will be drawn up and signed by participants citing dire' consequences for any breaches.

The move is driven by the government's Respect Task Force and a consortium of local agencies including Wirral's Antisocial Behaviour Team, National Children's Homes, the Youth Offending Team, and the council's Children and Young People's Department.

This week, assistant director of the task force, Matt Collins, said that the family intervention project and new parenting support project will help families to mend their ways and break free from patterns of crime and eviction.

He said: "We will provide structured supervision while examining the root causes of such behaviour giving people the tools and incentives to change."

Wirral became one of 40 Respect Action Areas across the country earlier this year and since then organisations have been working on identifying the families who will benefit from intervention.

The underlying causes of antisocial behaviour will be tackled, including inadequate parenting, drug and alcohol misuse, domestic violence or worklessness.

Families are offered one of three different levels of support, which involves either around the clock intervention or 10 to 20 hours worth of outreach support.

Manager of Wirral's Antisocial Behaviour Team, Caroline Laing, said: "We are going to use the first three to six months of the project assessing local demand and examining the success of the other elements.

"Discussions with Wirral Partnership Homes are still in place and it will be a short while before we can bring any possible plans for a core residential unit before the cabinet.

"This launch is about bringing together a host of local agencies and organisations who are working well in examining the underlying issues to help combat Wirral's problems."

There are currently nine family intervention and intensive support projects nationally operated by NCH.

In January, councillors agreed that the core unit should not be considered a sin bin' but a positive agenda in the war against public nuisances.

http://www.thisiswirral.co.uk/display.var.1738021.0.asbo_towers_plans_move_ahead.php

TEESIDE: My arrest nightmare for taking on yobs

2007-10-05T09:25:00.000-07:00

My arrest nightmare for taking on yobs

CHARGED: Mark Fenwick
at court yesterday

A BUSINESSMAN has spoken for the first time of his horror at being arrested for assault when he took the law into his own hands after being targeted by yobs on "mischief night".

Mark Fenwick took to the streets with a neighbour to round up trouble-makers after a slab of paving concrete was hurled through a window at his home by a gang of about 30 yobs.

The father-of-three, who runs a building firm, helped catch three teenagers and frog-marched them to a police van - but then found himself arrested.

He told a jury at Teesside Crown Court yesterday that, at the time, one of the police officers thanked him and said to the youths: "You deserve everything you get, you little gets."

Mr Fenwick, 34, said he left the scene with neighbour David Lawson, 38, feeling as though he had performed an admirable act of public duty by preventing further damage to homes.

He spent the next month in touch with the police to see if any of the suspects had been charged, but was astonished when officers said they had decided to arrest him instead.

"We sent emails asking if they had made any progress finding out who had done it or if the boys had coughed up," Mr Fenwick told the jury.

"We just got no reply.

"It was about a month later when they actually came knocking on the door.

"They said 'Can we come in, we've got something we would like to talk about.'

"I thought it was about what had happened, but they said they had had an allegation I had assaulted the lads I handed over."

Asked by his lawyer, Robert Mochrie, how he felt about the incident now - almost a year on - and on trial, Mr Fenwick said: "I still feel that I did the right thing on the evening.

"I feel that I did what any normal person in my position would have done."

Under cross-examination by Anthony Moore, prosecuting, Mr Fenwick disputed "going over the top" when he apprehended the youths he believed had damaged his home.

Mr Fenwick, who denies two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, said: "I believe to this day that I did everything right. I never overstepped the mark in anything I did."

Mr Fenwick's ordeal began last year on the evening of October 30 - known as "mischief night" - when gangs of youths run amok in neighbourhoods.

He told the jury he had returned from work to his home in Chervil, Coulby Newham, when the slab crashed through a roof window.

Mr Fenwick said he went outside to see what had happened, and was confronted by a gang of about 30 youths armed with sticks, bricks and stones.

He told the court that he was pelted with missiles, while one member of the group shouted: "Come on, he's on his own. Let's give him a f***ing kicking."

Mr Fenwick said he "took check of what was happening" and went back inside, told his wife to call the police, and started to follow the gang in his car once they backed away.

Soon afterwards, he said he saw them smashing a window at the nearby home of Mr Lawson, and pelting another property, so the two of them gave chase across some fields.

The two men caught three boys - all of whom Mr Fenwick is convinced were in the original gang - and planned to hold them at Mr Lawson's home until the police arrived.

But as they walked back to the estate, a police van passed, so the neighbours handed the teenagers to the police, and they were taken to the station. Once they were there, however, one of the youths,

aged 13, claimed he had been strangled and hit with a stick.

The other, a 15-year-old, said he had been punched after Mr Fenwick rugby-tackled him to the ground.

Seventeen-stone Mr Fenwick was accused by Mr Moore of rounding up any young people he could find in the neighbourhood, regardless of whether they were the ones who had attacked his home.

The barrister asked: "Is it the truth that you were angry that night and just wanted to make sure that somebody was caught?" Mr Fenwick replied: "That's not the case at all. I believe the people responsible were the people I handed over to the police.

"Just blaming somebody is not my way. I wanted the people who were responsible, and I believe they were the ones I handed over to the police."

Mr Fenwick admitted going out armed with a stick because he feared for his safety, but said he threw it away when the gang split up and they were able to catch individual suspects. He said: "I was apprehensive about my own safety at the time. My intention with the stick was if I needed to get away while I was being attacked, it would give me the chance to do that.

"When you are dealing with such a large number of yobs, you don't know what they are capable of, so I was apprehensive about what I was walking into.

"You hear so many horror stories on the news that you have these thoughts in your mind when all this is going on.

"If I had got hurt or beaten up to such an extent, I have got a wife and three young sons at home I have to look after." The trial continues.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1737454.0.my_arrest_nightmare_for_taking_on_yobs.php