Call for action to stop play site pests

Residents of Bluebell Meadow say they have had enough of anti-social behaviour at the playground.

They say they no longer let their children play on the equipment there because it has become a regular meeting place for local youths.

Four houses which back on to the play area have been most affected by youngsters drinking, swearing and making noise late at night.

One estate resident, Mel Dunn, organised a petition and got strong support from his neighbours after suffering the problem for three years.

He enlisted the help of local councillor Tony Moore, who organised a meeting between residents, police and the housing association.

At the meeting it was decided to draw up a questionnaire and circulate it to residents in the area, to find out what action people would like to see taken to improve the area and resolve the problem.

Describing the meeting as constructive, Mr Dunn said: "Hopefully, this is going to take care of it. You can only take so much. But if it goes on and on, with nobody doing anything about it, we will pack up and move, and it should not be like that.

"The area is a disgrace sometimes, and a real nuisance, with tins thrown all over the place. But things seem to be moving in the right direction now."

Coun Moore said: "They have had big problems with glue sniffing, drunkenness and rowdiness, and that is why the police got involved with the play area.

"I can only praise the police for what they have tried to do, because they have been there chasing the kids off at night

"Everybody now seems to be working together, but it continues to be a nuisance for nearby residents and people don't want to go near it."

The questionnaire will try to gauge the feelings of all residents on the estate, to see if they want the play area retained and renovated or demolished.

There will be another meeting next month to draw up the questionnaire.

The results will be passed on to the housing association