QUEDGELEY: YOBS ARE WRECKING OUR NATURE RESERVE

YOBS ARE WRECKING OUR NATURE RESERVE

Community leaders are fuming over yobs wrecking a beauty spot.A group of up to 50 teenagers gathered at Quedgeley Nature Reserve recently and left behind a trail of empty booze bottles, lighters and empty cigarette packets.

They have also cut down trees, dug up the earth to make cycle ramps, started fires and trashed fences.

Peter Ponting, chairman of Quedgeley Area Conservation Association, said: "This is a small nature reserve and it is being decimated by teenagers.

"Whilst we have every sympathy for the teenagers due to the lack of facilities in the Quedgeley, at the end of the day it is a nature reserve for the people of Quedgeley.

"We have seen six inch diameter trees being cut down, earth dug up to make cycle ramps, fires started and fences being broken for access from people from Apperley Drive and Deerhurst Drive.

"We at QACA fought very hard to retain this woodland area as a natural open space. We even stood in front of excavation vehicles who were trying to prepare the area for more development.

"We feel totally let down by Gloucester City Council who, despite promise after promise have done nothing. The police have never taken this problem seriously."

County councillor for Quedgeley, Jackie Hall (Con) has written to Gloucestershire police chief constable, Dr Tim Brain.

She wrote: "The police have been called out on a regular basis, however, on one occasion, although called, the police did not attend. "Local people are concerned, not only for the preservation of the nature reserve but also for their own properties.

Chief inspector Roger Clayton, said: "Tackling anti-social behaviour is a priority for Gloucestershire constabulary.

"We are committed to working with communities to eradicate unacceptable behaviour.

"I welcome the opportunity to meet with Mr Ponting to explore ways that we can work with the Quedgeley Area Conservation Association to make this a more enjoyable place for people to enjoy."

Sheila Golder, who runs Equals Youth Club, said most youngsters are not making trouble.

"We have a youth parish council and they help with litter picks in that area," she said.

A Gloucester City Council spokesman said: "We are aware of some anti-social behaviour at Quedgeley. It's no worse than any other area of public open space in the city. We are not aware of any serious damage."

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