Youths leave residents living 'in fear and misery'

A community is experiencing "fear and misery" at the hands of anti-social youths who they say are smashing windows and throwing bricks.

Up to 30 youths have been riding motorbikes and scooters around Astley Park in Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, and have thrown missiles at flats on Kearsley Close.

Sam Smith, who lives nearby, said people are "frightened to live in the area" or walk through the park, and has called on Northumberland County Council to increase security locally - calls backed by some councillors.

The authority said eight CCTV cameras were in operation in the park and it had increased patrols to deter anti-social behaviour, with further interventions being kept "under review".

Smith said residents in the flats were scared to stay in their living rooms "in case the window goes out", with visible evidence of smashed panes in the area.

"All they want them to do is stay away from the flats and the residential houses because it's causing fear and misery," she said.

Smith said some residents could not afford to pay for their windows to be fixed.

Smith said Astley Park has a number of security issues, including a lack of street lights and CCTV, and alluded to large bushes and shrubbery where troublemakers can hide.

She has been assisting residents living in Kearsley Close to raise their concerns with the police and council.

Labour councillor Les Bowman said he had asked for a more extensive CCTV system covering the whole park in order to "protect the community from those who inflict damage".

"I have been let down by this administration, but I believe the message is finally getting through of the need for more surveillance and action within Astley Park," he said.

The council said it was aware of concerns raised about anti-social behaviour in Astley Park, but the number of reported incidents was "relatively low".

"We have put measures in place to tackle these problems, including increased patrols in and around the park to provide a visible presence and deter further incidents," a spokesperson said.

"Decisions about measures such as CCTV or environmental changes are based on evidence, proportionality and effectiveness, and the situation at Astley Park continues to be kept under review."

Conservative councillor Gordon Stewart said the council had previously installed eight CCTV cameras in the park, which were regularly cleaned and repaired.

"However, the area would benefit from extra police visits," he said.

Northumbria Police has been contacted for comment.

Labour MP for Cramlington and Killingworth, Emmy Foody, said she had contacted Northumbria Police and urged residents to report anti-social behaviour.

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