Pensioners call for action over park anti-social behaviour

1:02pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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Urgent action is needed to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in a Borehamwood park, according to neighbouring residents.

Pensioners living in the Alma Court block of flats have been blighted by groups of teenagers gathering by recycling facilities in Brook Meadow park, at the junction of Aycliffe Road and Belford Road.The elderly residents are now calling for Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary to take action to stop youngsters climbing on bins and the roof of a disused building in the park.At a meeting of the Borehamwood Crime Reduction Group (CRG) on Monday, representatives from housing association William Sutton Homes, which owns Alma Court, raised residents' concerns.One long-suffering man, who was too scared to be named for fear of reprisal attacks, said: "Every night they climb on top of the bins and get on to the roof. "Their language is disgusting, the bins are all dented from them jumping on them. They sit up there spitting and once I even saw a boy sitting up there urinating."The council need to move the bins around and put something on the building to stop them getting onto the roof."Occupants of the sheltered housing block said youngsters have been seen drinking alcohol despite the area being covered by an alcohol-free zone.Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "I don't object to the children using the field, it is lovely to watch the little ones playing football and using the park, but the few that cause problems need to be kept away from the bins."Sooner or later one of them is going to have an accident and fall off the bins or the roof. Just last Saturday there must have been four or five dozen there and the noise was unbearable."The problems have caused residents to criticise the lack of police presence near the flats and the lack of action taken by the council.Conrad Smith, Hertsmere's regional manager for William Sutton, said: "We have taken action to ensure all partners are aware of the issue so we can work together to resolve it. "As a result of the meeting on Monday, the police will be completing extra patrols in the area and treating it as a key action to resolve."We would urge any residents with information on the perpetrators to contact the police or Crimestoppers."A council spokeswoman said: "Nuisance youths can cause much distress and the council will work in partnership to help address any issues. "Residents who wish to report incidents of anti-social behaviour should contact the police so logs can be kept."A police spokesman said: "Officers will be conducting more high visibility patrols in the area to act as deterrent to would-be criminals and as a reassuring presence for residents."

• What do you think? Should Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary do more to protect residents from anti-social behaviour? Are pensioners too harsh towards youngsters? Leave your comments below, or email us.