A CLAMPDOWN on teenage gangs who have allegedly been causing criminal damage and intimidating passers-by in parks is being undertaken by police throughout January.
Officers have been dealing with the issue in Cudworth and nearby Shafton since members of the public backed by councillors - first complained about teenagers causing havoc in both villages’ parks at a crime meeting held in September 2018.
The priority status, which includes more patrols and work alongside Barnsley Council’s Safer Neighbourhood Services (SNS) and Berneslai Homes, will continue until an update is provided by officers involved in the scheme later this month.
Recent issues have allegedly seen yobs between the ages of 13 and 15 cause damage at the parks, throw fireworks at passing vehicles and allegedly cut pigeons’ wings off, leading the SNS to look at assessing their parents’ tenancy agreements in a bid to improve behaviour.
PCSO Lee Holmes said: “We’ve given a lot of time to dealing with these problems in recent weeks and we’ve identified about a dozen youths, some of which have been interviewed.
“Parents have also been visited and patrols continue, but we’re hopeful the word is getting out that we’re paying more attention to dealing with residents’ complaints.
“The problem is youths are attracted to parks as there’s often light and shelter for them but for others we understand their presence can be intimidating, especially if they’re congregating in big groups.”
Youths were blamed for a series of criminal damage offences in both parks last year, which led the council to issue a warning that repairing kids’ play areas may not be possible in the future due to mounting costs and reduced budgets.
Vandalism at parks’ play areas and multi-use games areas across Barnsley cost more than £100,000 to rectify in the last five years, according to figures obtained by the Chronicle, with Cudworth and Shafton among the worst-hit in 2018.
Coun Charlie Wraith, who represents the Cudworth ward, called for parents of the youngsters responsible to be billed for the repair work.
“It’s been an ongoing problem for a while in Cudworth Park but it got worse towards the end of last year, where more than £2,000 damage was caused at the multi-use games area due to a fire.
“The park has a lot of volunteering put into it so obviously it’s extremely disappointing when you’re confronted by yet more damage.
“The minority seem intent on ruining things for others and we simply can’t afford to continue replacing equipment and floor surfacing, so the only way is to hand parents the bill.”
It’s claimed the teens have been moved on from Cudworth and have resettled in Shafton due to the recent police clampdown, but residents have complained about ‘never-before-seen’ levels of issues in the village and rising incidents with youths at Sainsbury’s, on High Street.
PC Sam Whitehead added: “It’s a fine line for the council as they can’t continue spending money on parks where there’s been previous damage, although in Cudworth there are youth groups at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“We’ve been in Shafton more in light of the complaints and have included Sainsbury’s in our patrols, as well as the main park, Plumpton Park and the kids’ play area off Dog Hill.
“An update on this will be given at the next PACT meeting at Cudworth Fire Station on January 30.”
