Calne couple terrorised by teenagers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Calne couple terrorised by teenagers

8:42am Monday 25th February 2008

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A CALNE couple who say their neighbourhood is being terrorised by teenagers believe moving house may be their only option.

Sandra and David Jackson, who live in Belstaff Court, off Newcroft Gardens, said a toddlers' play area is being abused by local youths who sit on the swings, swear and engage in anti-social behaviour.

Mrs Jackson, 61, said: "The area only opened properly in December, we knew it was going to be here when we bought the house.

"But we thought it would be more of a green area and we now realise that it will never be used in the way it was designed, for children and their parents."

Mrs Jackson said youths ranging from 12 to 16 years old ride their bikes up and down the slide and have even poured petrol over a neighbour's front door.

She said the play area is so close to some of the homes that people feel as if their space is being intruded upon.

She said: "My husband is on medication and he just doesn't need this.

"I have spoken to the kids and suggested that maybe they should move on but I haven't confronted them.

"I wouldn't because you never know what will happen."

The couple bought the home to spend their retirement in two years ago, and often have their five-year-old granddaughter to stay.

Mrs Jackson said: "She won't go outside on her own to the play area after 4pm as that's when all the youths come down and gather there.

"When they stand up on the slide they can see right into our living room window and they make obscene gestures.

"That's the last thing you want your young grandchild to see."

Mr Jackson told his wife their only option might be moving from the area, as the couple believe things can only get worse as the summer approaches.

They have contacted police but said officers were treating it as a low priority.

Mrs Jackson said: "A lot of our neighbours feel the same way as us.

"They are feeling scared about going out because they don't want to be confronted by this gang of young people."

Inspector Gavin Williams said: "From my point of view we take any complaints of anti-social behaviour very seriously and we have already taken a number of positive steps which have had an impact in the area.

"I will be administering a member of the neighbourhood policing team to investigate these problems."

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