Police boss plays down concerns at meeting

RESIDENTS who attended a meeting called to discuss antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhoods have been told things could be a lot worse.

The meeting, attended by 20 people last night, was organised by Mangotsfield resident Julie Lake to bring people together to combat antisocial behaviour.

She told the gathering of residents, councillors and police officers that there were particular problems with young people hanging around outside shops and takeaways in the evenings in Westbourne Road, Downend, St James’ Place, Mangotsfield, and outside Sainsbury’s and Boots in Emersons Green.

But police played down the suggestion that antisocial behaviour was a major problem in Mangotsfield, Emersons Green and Downend.

Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Thatcher told the meeting at Emersons Green Village Hall that the areas experienced fewer problems with young troublemakers than several others in South Gloucestershire.

Mrs Lake, who lives in Royal Road, told the meeting some residents who witnessed antisocial behaviour were too afraid to report incidents to police.

But Mr Thatcher said: “I police the area and I live in the area.

“I have policed areas a lot worse than Mangotsfield. Places like Patchway and Kingswood are a lot worse than Mangotsfield.

“The majority of the children are good kids who want to go out and meet their friends.” Mrs Lake admitted that on most occasions the youths hanging around outside shops were not committing crimes, but she claimed they were intimidating residents.

She said some people were even calling her to complain about antisocial behaviour, rather than the police.

However, she stopped short of recommending residents take vigilante action, instead suggesting a community group be set up for residents to air their views if they felt uncomfortable reporting incidents to the police.

Mrs Lake, who came to public attention when she took the law into her own hands against a boy she believed had vandalised a war memorial in 2008, ending up in court herself, said: “I’m getting to the stage where when I phone the police I say, ‘Hello, it’s me again’.

“They may think I’m exaggerating but I’m not. Sometimes we even turn a blind eye to some incidents.”

James Hunt, South Gloucestershire councillor for Emersons Green, said problems with crime and antisocial behaviour had eased in the area.

He said: “Several years ago now we had issues with crime and antisocial behaviour but I would like to thank the police – they targeted the area and it cleared up an awful lot.”