Anti-Social Behaviour In Pewsham Ends With Police
By Lois_Avery | Sunday, June 19, 2011, 18:46
This was the scene last Saturday in Pewsham after some residents, including me, reported anti-social behaviour.
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The police arrive in Pewsham
After hours of being harassed by local teens several people living in the Blackthorn Mews/King Henry Drive area began to confront them, this was at about 6pm. But it began at around 3pm when the group - who looked to be about 16 - began throwing apples at cars, mine included. They were even smearing smashed apples on to windscreens.
Other residents complained that they were throwing apples into their gardens and at their windows and one man said they had spent the afternoon kicking in his back fence.
Another neighbour had a bottle thrown into his garden near where his two young children were playing - at which point we called the police.
It wasn't really a matter for 999 so I called the non-emergency no. (0845 408 7000) and reported the incidents.
And within minutes the police had arrived. Not just one car...but four. Two vans and two cars, which was a bit much in my opinion but they had reason to believe things might turn violent. And the officers were very helpful but seemed a bit exasperated at having been called to deal with drunk teens. Probably because it happens all too often in Chippenham.
In the end the police dispersed the group and sent the home.
The worst thing were the youths parents, who seemed to think it was OK to let them drink in Pewsham park, despite being 15/16 years old - and then complained we were in the wrong for involving the police because 'they're only kids'
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Pewsham has been quite quiet lately but this sort of thing is more and more common. If you walk through the park in the evenings it's full of gangs of teenagers. They meet outside the shop too.
Have you had a problem with antisocial behaviour in your area?Let us know.
Comments
I agree with the comments above. As parents we are struggling at the moment as we have 2 boys in their teens & they are always nagging us to have camp-outs with their friends. The last camp-out, which we refused to let them go on, resulted in us being knocked on 10.30 at night because they'd been drinking & one girl was out stone cold on whiskey & cider (she was 14!) I have seen the photos & these kids had vodka, gin, beers, etc. They were all about 14 years old & the parents are letting them camp-out regularly these summer holidays. I know also that they were causing a disturbance in the area. Parents need to be more responsible as their lack of care impacts on other parents & also on the community.
By serenwatson at 17:18 on 06/08/11
ReportI too live in Pewsham, shocking attitude from parents who think it is normal or OK what their kids are up to. If they can't control them then tough s**t - the Police are needed. I would be ashamed if I found out my child behaved in such an anti-social way, and if they did there would be lesson learning sanctions on them for a very long time.
Fortunately it is the minority of parents who have no pride and are happy to have anti-social offspring. Maybe now the police have been involved, names taken etc they'll come to their senses and enlighten their troublesome little darlings.
Another anti-social activity I have noticed over the last few weeks is more incidences of boy racers zipping aorund Pewsham sometimes quite late at night too. There was one testosterone fuelled waster last night belting up and down the bypass like it was a rally at 11:30. I will be taking note of number plates of any dangerous little boys in their little 106's and corsa's from now on. I'm sure we are allowed to report these to the Police, then a quiet word from plod might nip it before it ends up in tradegy.
By Johnboy11 at 08:00 on 21/06/11
ReportI completely symathise with you Lois. Regualr readers of my blog know that I have been suffering at the hands of a neighbour and his friends, who have been causing all sorts of problems in Chelwood Close and the surrounding area.
The attitude of the so called parents, whilst annoying, is hardly suprising, after all where do you think the Kids get it from. They simply dont realise how Anti Social behaviour can actually effect people, to the point of causing serious Ill health. (With me its stress)
What really shocks me though is the Police response. I have had to involve my MP, before the police were willing to get involved. yet you got four cars full of coppers (must have been most of Wiltshire bobbys). I am disgusted to hear about the police attitude, but not suprised. If they arrnt going to deal with the drunk teens, who is then, their parents?
I seriously think you should write to Duncan Hames MP and let him know about the police attitude, I think under their current leadership of Inspector Stephen Cox they are failing the community.
By mjhudston at 21:25 on 19/06/11
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