"A life sentence of hell" - anti-social behaviour rockets at Kingsway
SPITTING, swearing, abuse and vandalism – this is what some residents on a Gloucester estate have to endure on a daily basis.
Figures show reports of anti-social behaviour at Kingsway has rocketed 25 per cent in a year.
A total of 175 incidents have been reported to police in eight months. Between January and August reports of trouble increased by 35 compared to the same period last year.
One resident said youngsters picked his flowers, banged on his windows and left their toys in the road, making it difficult to get in and out of the street.
He said: "It seems like a life sentence of hell. We are totally frustrated.
"The mess in the street includes plastic Tesco shopping bags, bedding, clothes, toys, bikes, plastic drinks bottles and dog mess.
"The children use the street for football, kicking the ball against other residents' cars or garage doors."
Another resident, who also asked not be named, wants to move away from Kingsway because the behaviour is so bad.
She said: "These range from youths who swear, spit and vandalise, and adults who you'd think know better swearing and spitting."
Jeanette Gardiner, 67, said: "We get teenagers coming down drinking late at night.
"It tends to be one Friday or Saturday night a month.
"I also go out and pick up all the cans and bottles once a week."
It is also thought that the three families evicted from Overbrook Road, Hardwicke, last month because of their anti-social behaviour were moved to Kingsway, although police have refused to confirm it.
But some residents on the estate are more positive and insist it's a small minority who are intent on spoiling Kingsway for the majority.
Work on the estate started in 2007, with the idea that once complete Kingsway will have 2,600 new homes.
But the work has not finished yet and in terms of infrastructure, no shops are yet on site.
During the summer around 900 soldiers from Nato moved from Germany to Imjin Barracks at Innsworth, and many families moved to Kingsway to live.
The hope is that things can get better as more people move in.
Student Kimberley Poppitt, 27, said: "There are no problems in this part of Kingsway, but it is a large estate."
Craig Fairgrieve, 20, who recently moved to Kingsway when the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps moved from Germany to Imjin Barracks, said: "It's peaceful. We haven't had any trouble."
Others said children needed more areas to play in.
Charmaine Sly, 29, said: "There's ups and downs, and it's boring.
"There's nothing for young kids to do."
Mary Dale, 45, a healthcare assistant, said: "I like my little bit here.
"It's not too noisy, although on Saturday night a big gang of teenagers was in the park."
Paul Winstone, 52, who works in the NHS, said: "I haven't experienced any anti-social behaviour"
Councillor Fred Wood, who represents the area, admitted that Kingsway needs attention, but said improvements were being made.
He said: "Most people who talk to me say there's no real trouble in Kingsway." He said many residents in the estate saw nothing, but there were pockets of Kingsway where behaviour needed addressing.
He is one of many people taking part in the Have Your Say event on Saturday, door-knocking residents off Thatcham Avenue, asking them for their views.
Chris Jackson, a spokesman for Gloucester Police, said: "While there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour this year, we do not believe there is a major problem in the area and Kingsway remains a nice place to live."
He said many incidents stemmed from parking issues and neighbourhood disputes.
He added that police were taking ASB seriously, and were monitoring areas where incidents were more likely to happen.
A youth club has also been set up.
Anyone experienced anti-social behaviour should call the police on 0845 090 1234.
82 Comments
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by LJPoppy
Wednesday, May 23 2012, 12:52AM
“Oh dear, would I be right in thinking that Kingsway/Quedgeley is a Chav City? I've seen the chain smoking over weight mothers pushing babies in prams round the new estate, and I've seen v young mums who appear to have v low intellect yet living in quite large new (affordable) houses on the brand new Kingsway estate. Would I, therefore, be a fool to buy a house on the Kingsway estate? I know I'd be getting more for my money in Kingsway where property is concerned, and it's only 30 mins away from my place of work in Bristol. Bristol, the location where i could only dream about purchasing a 4 bed detached new build for the low budget price as new builds in Kingsway! Anyone know how many benefit claimants (scroungers) actually live in the affordable newbuild homes anyway? Personally I think if the newbuild homes were strictly limited to private buyers then the chav city atmosphere wouldn't exist, in what could otherwise be a lovely place to live!”
by WHEELCHAIRUSER, GLOS
Friday, September 10 2010, 7:57PM
“UR COMMENTS JUST GET MORE AN MORE BIGETED,,, U REAP WOT U SOW,,, SO MY PLIGHT IS MY OWN DOING ,,, GO DO UR SELF A FAVOUR ,, GET EDUCATED IN LIFE.....”
by C, at work paying for scrounging scum, at home for a change
Friday, September 10 2010, 4:35PM
“I'm not talking about people in genuine need, in fact you should see how much I donate to people who, through no fault of their own are suffering.
I'm fed up with people who choose benefits as a lifestyle choice, I mean what purpose do they serve to society other than drain our resources and put nothing back.
And, you don't know me either, I'm just saying what most people think. If you ask any working person they'll lie to your face but to each other we all talk about scroungers and how unfair it is.
I know people who have 3 free laptops, one for each of their children and freely admit they won't get a job because they just don't see why they should.
It's a joke, but I do believe you reap what you sow.”
by D @ work paying for the scoungers, Gloucester
Friday, September 10 2010, 4:08PM
“@ C does have a point about lots of people on the dole - BUT NOT EVERYONE.
I think he is fed up with the amount of money that is taken from his wages in the form of tax every month.
The dole should be for those who have a genuine reason to be on it such as Wheelchairman.
Too many abusers are in the system and living a better quality of life (Christmas is coming) than many who work.
It not fair being 2nd in the queue behind those who cannot and will never provide for themselves and then expect the rest of us to sort it out for them.
Do the dolers even recognise how difficult is to work and live these days.
Answer is a big fat no and they couldn't care less.
Remember, we owe them a living if the poor little darlings managed to get themselves knocked up at 15”
by ag, kingsway
Friday, September 10 2010, 10:56AM
“OMG I am shocked at most of these comments firstly I have now lived here for a year and have not witnessed any trouble what so ever the issue with the rubbish is mainly down to the bin men and recycling bins being such poor quality that lids break and as a result the refuse gets scattered, secondly I live in social housing and I am NOT on any benifits my partner works full time and I am a full time student nurse . . . . . How dare you all assume that people who can not afford to buy are lazy dole dossers . . . . If this is what this areas attitude is I think I shall have to move as I dont want my 3 children to be raised in a community with such horrific stero-typing attitudes.
The newspaper needs to do more research into its news before printing such lies and needs to acknowledge the harm they are doing for the residents,
O and yeh the council needs to take responsibilty for the anti social behaviour as it is true that the 3 problem families from overbrook road WERE MOVED HERE FACT . . . . .”
by wheelchairuser, glos
Friday, September 10 2010, 10:21AM
“I HAVE NEVER REPLIED TO ANY OF THESE BUT FEEL COMPLIED NOW,,, HOW DARE U JUDGE EVERY1 ON BENEFITS @ C.my story,,, i worked 40 yrs of my life,paid my taxes everything u listed i had.. 40 k annual..house private care,, 1 dark night freak accident on motorway,, ended up in wheelchair.. disabled 4 life..lost everything u listed... so now a i am a benefit scrounging scum as u so nicely put it,,, HOW DARE U SIT IN JUDGEMENT OF PEOPLE U NOW NOTHING ABOUT ,,, I CAN HOPE AN PRAY NOTHING EVER TAKES UR WORLDLY GOODS AWAY FROM U IN A SPLIT SECOND AN U END UP IN SITUATION WHERE U RELY ON STATE FUNDING ,, AN U END UP BEING BRANDED 4 LIFE.. MY DISABILITY IS BRANDING ENUFF, WITHOUT UR WHOLLYTHAN THO ATTITUDE.....”
by benefit claimant with morals, kingsway
Friday, September 10 2010, 9:25AM
“@ c working to pay for scrounging scums..
Did you evern bother reading what i previously wrote?...Like i sadi you don't know me so your not in the position to judge..I could sit here and try and convince you im not like the typical stereotype benefit scrounger but i don't need to justify or be grateful to you for anything!...I worked most of my adult life, working 3 jobs at times, so im far from work shy, that's what makes me sick about people like you who sit there with their head up there backside thinking they are superior to others just because they haven't suffered or experienced life....As for you being a better person than me, well that's a matter of opinion, all i will say is thank the lord that not everyone in this world looks at things in only black and white like you seem to do....”
by C, at work paying for scrounging scum
Thursday, September 09 2010, 7:36PM
“Firstly I own the company so what I choose to do while I'm in my office is my business.
Secondly, benefits were introduced as a stop gap for people who find themselves in a position where they can't help themselves before they find their feet again, not as a lifestyle choice.
Thirdly have you any idea the anger and frustration people like me feel when you get:
Free housing
Free money
Free prescription
Free council tax
Free school uniforms
Free school meals
Free LAPTOPS FFS!!!!
The list goes on
Yes I am better than you because at the end of the day you couldn't live without me so be grateful!!!!!!!!”
by benefit claimant with morals, kingsway
Thursday, September 09 2010, 5:32PM
“@c at work paying for scrounging scum....Firstly who's say's im happy being on benefits?...you don't know me, don't know my circumstances...I worked hard from the age of 15, was properbly earning a lot more than you ever will but life have many roads my friend and i hope you never have to endure whats led me to b sat at home and not able to work at this present time...But thats the trouble with this world, people pass judgement without knowing the full facts or person, but it suits people like you because it makes you feel superior to people less fortunate than yourself. As for all the trouble being caused by benefit claimants where did you get that fact from?...Again judgemental attitude from a small minded stuck up skiver who should be working and not wasting his employers time....”
by Chav Baiter, Cheltenham
Thursday, September 09 2010, 3:55PM
“hahahahahaha
Just look at the generation of scroungers we have bred who all think the world owes them a living - people who spend a lifetime sponging off others to fund their workshy lifestyles”