New patrols in Abbeymead skate park
Vandals and litter louts who are spoiling a popular Abbeymead play area are being warned they are skating on thin ice.
Police in the area are to come down hard on youths who spray graffiti and drop rubbish in Lobley’s skate park.
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PCSO Adam Poole and PC Andy Plant, community beat officer.
Since the skateboarding equipment was relocated from Coney Hill to the park two years ago, the site has become a popular hangout for young people.
But gangs of youths who are spraying graffiti and littering the area with crisp packets have infuriated residents.
Police officers and PCSOs have increased patrols in the area in a bid to tackle the problem. They have already had some success and have forged new relationships with youngsters.
PCSO Adam Poole, from the Hucclecote Safer Community Team which covers Abbeymead and Abbeydale, said the increased patrols were beginning to pay off.
He said: “We have been patrolling the area around the skate park on a daily basis following reports from local residents of anti-social behaviour.
“I think a combination of these patrols and the current weather conditions have helped us to tackle this problem and we haven’t received any recent reports.”
PCSO Poole said he braved the cold weather himself to keep an eye on the play area.
He said: “The skate park is well used, and while patrolling the area over the last few days, we have seen parents and children having a fantastic time sliding down the ramps on their sledges.”
The park was relocated in 2008 at a cost of £25,000. The extra patrols at Lobley’s Park come a month after community leaders called for a dispersal order to be brought in to cover Abbeymead and Abbeydale.
The measure would give police the power to split up groups of more than two peopl
5 Comments
by John, Abbeymead
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 10:23PM
“I have commented on this subject before, when local residents pointed out. If the authorities could not prevent problems at the clock tower moving the skate park would only move the problem.
This issue is not with the kids and parents that use these facilities, its with those that don't who are hell bent on causing damage. So all the promises made by the Police, PCSO's and authorities to prevent problems have amounted to nothing. We still have the first summer to go through when there will be more youths loitering on the streets.
Has anyone seen a Police Officer or PCSO on patrol?”
by Sallyanne Gossip, Abbeymead
Sunday, January 17 2010, 12:40PM
“I totally agree with Edward. It is a problem that has been moved over here but the police are trying.
What we need is something else for these teenagers to do to keep them out of trouble - it was never like this back in my day.
maybe a few more sports clubs and less television would give them a bit more discipline and something to take their minds of being yobs”
by Edward James, Gloucester
Sunday, January 17 2010, 12:37PM
“I see both points. Yes the problem has just been shifted from Coney Hill to Abbeymead which is not good at all.
But at least the police are doing something about it, the extra patrols should stop the youths from defacing the skate park and hopefully keep them out of trouble.
Wouldn't it be nice if these children could just enjoy the skate park and play on it as it is intended rather than have to mess it up and litter it.”
by chivver, bunker
Monday, January 11 2010, 9:04AM
“See i bet therell be lots of negative comments about this story, and yet this is the sort of thing that most people on this site moan about not having.
The police are making themselves seen and are tackiling a problem yet the first comment on here is complaining about moving the park in the first place!!!”
by Rob, Abbeymead
Monday, January 11 2010, 8:19AM
“So it's just shifted the problem from the Coney Hill clock tower to Lobley's - oh that was a great idea wasn't it. Crisp packets.. don't the parents feed the hooligans?”