Climate of fear
Residents are calling for more police patrols to tackle drunken yobs on the streets of Southwell.
They claim youths are wreaking havoc on Friday and Saturday nights, damaging property and spreading fear in the community.
On Friday night a 30ft-long wall at Minster Garage, King Street, was pushed over.
Five walls on Springfield Road were damaged the following night.
The owner of Minster Garage, Mr Michael Ward, said youths had gathered outside to drink alcohol for years but it was getting worse.
He said the police should do more to tackle the problem.
“We need foot patrols,” he said. “The only answer is a strong police presence.
“On a Friday night it is mayhem.
“It is all down to parents really. They must know their children are out somewhere.”
Mr Ward, who runs the garage with his son, Mr Simon Ward, blamed the youths’ behaviour on alcohol.
They have previously had to clear away broken bottles and empty cans before opening the garage.
On one occasion Mr Ward asked the youths not to leave a mess but food was later thrown at the garage.
Residents of Manor Close, which backs on to Minster Garage, say they are plagued by youths who congregate in a passageway leading from the King Street carpark.
Mrs Irene Knight (86) said she was frightened of going out of her house to confront the youths.
“There’s no knowing what they might do,” she said.
She said the top part of her fence was knocked down around two weeks ago.
Her neighbour Mrs Priscilla Wright (80) said the youths left the passageway in a mess.
“It is awful and quite concerning for us,” she said.
Mrs Wright said her fence had also been damaged.
“The night it happened these lads were outside and pulled it all to pieces,” she said. “It is not good enough.”
Mr Raymond Gould (72) moved to Southwell from Radcliffe because he thought it would be quieter.
“Once they get alcohol inside them they become brave young men,” he said.
“We just look and listen. We don’t even remonstrate.
“I was given an unbelievable amount of abuse recently when I asked a youth to move out of the way on the pavement.
“I would love to say the police will clamp down on it but have they got the resources?”
Mrs Beryl Wheat (76) said anti-social behaviour was rife but feared having a brick thrown through her window if she confronted the youths.
Last week she picked up nine empty lager cans of lager from the passageway.
She thought most of those who congregated there were under 18.
“I wonder to what extent somebody is going in to buy the booze for them,” she said. “I am sure alcohol is the problem.”
Mrs Wheat said she would like to see a greater police presence, especially at weekends.
A resident of nearby Springfield Road, who did not want to be named, said walls and vehicles on the street had been damaged recently.
He said people were afraid to speak out for fear of the vandalism getting worse.
“Although this kind of behaviour is considered a minor offence compared to a lot of cases the police have to deal with, for frightened elderly people it is terrifying,” he said.
Inspector Andy Gan, of Southwell Police, said they had increased the number of patrols by safer neighbourhood teams and police response teams.
He said residents may not realise officers were on the street as the patrols were mainly at night when people would have their curtains closed.
Inspector Gan said they were aware of the recent incidents and were working with Newark and Sherwood District Council’s anti-social behaviour officer, Lynn Pallet, to tackle the problem.
“Questionnaires have been posted on Springfield Road and Silvey Avenue asking for any information that people may have,” he said.
“These have come back with a positive response with information about who might be responsible.”
Inspector Gan said two individuals were being interviewed on Wednesday in relation to incidents in the area and security camera footage was being monitored.
