THE Mayor of Great Aycliffe Town Council has defended the area from suggestions that it’s now “a no-go zone” after a spike in anti-social behaviour – saying that the council and police are “doing all they can” to reduce the figures and stamp out persistent low-level crime.
During the last six months, concerned residents have highlighted that they’re too scared to visit Newton Aycliffe’s town centre after 5pm, due to the inundation of ‘gangs’ of youths, vandalism, abuse and damage to public property.
As part of the complaints, The Northern Echo is running a special report to dig into all aspects of the anti-social behaviour and speak to residents, councillors, neighbourhood policing teams and the police and crime commissioner in Durham to investigate whether the issue is taking over the town or whether agencies are staying on top of the problem.
Read more: SPECIAL REPORT: Aycliffe branded a 'no go zone' over anti-social behaviour
Despite after speaking to residents, who said that nightly fights, smashed windows, and extensive damage is making their lives “a living hell”, Mayor of Great Aycliffe, Cllr Sandra Haigh, has now moved to defend the area from “unfair” pressure over anti-social behaviour figures.
As part of an agency project, Cllr Haigh is working with both town and county councillors, as well as the police, to install CCTV cameras in problemed areas – which has reduced anti-social behaviour by 15 per cent, according to the Mayor.
While Cllr Haigh admits that there is an issue in Newton Aycliffe – she has also claimed that “there is plenty” for young people to do in the town – dispelling the ‘myth’ that the lack of youth infrastructure is behind the rise in anti-social behaviour.
She said: “Through partnership working with the police, we’ve been able to secure funding for CCTV cameras in several problem areas, which has reduced the number of anti-social behaviour by 15 per cent. Yes, we’re seeing a lot of issues, but we’re also doing a lot to act on it.
“There’s always been some trouble in Newton Aycliffe – but it does seem to have got worse. I’ve been contacted by people to say they’re afraid to go out.
“My message to those causing issues would be that Newton Aycliffe and Great Aycliffe is for everyone – these youths can’t just take over the town centre, the parks and carry out acts of vandalism, it’s not right.
Read more: Aycliffe mum documents 'months of hell' at hands of terrorising youths
“We used to have naughty kids, as does everywhere, but it does seem a lot of issues have come along in the late hours of the evening. Hard working people are being targeted by vandalism, abuse and other crimes and it’s not right – something must be done.”
As well as working with the police – Cllr Haigh has highlighted that the emergency services are doing a lot ‘behind the scenes’, including criminal orders for consistent offenders.
But has cited that “more can always be done” to tackle the issue at hand.
She added: “It is a police matter and one that the council can only do so much on. We have limited resources, but they’re doing more than the public give them credit for.
“What I’m asking myself is why this anti-social behaviour is happening. Usually problems of this kind arise from the fact that there’s nothing to do. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We have football clubs, parks, running club, community groups and a lot else.
“Councillors have come to me with complaints that we’ve had from residents – we must stamp this out, nip it in the bud and give the people of Newton Aycliffe better.
Read more: Police respond to antisocial behaviour in Newton Aycliffe
“No one should feel intimidated in their own town.”
Over the coming days, The Northern Echo will be continuing the special report into the anti-social behaviour issues in Newton Aycliffe, speaking to police officers, district councillors and the police and crime commissioner for Durham, Joy Allen, to gain more of an insight on whether this can be controlled or whether it’s a spiralling issue that’s too much for even the police.
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