Elderly residents victims of anti-social behaviour
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
ELDERLY residents in the Grange Walk area are being subjected to daily harassment by a group of youths, some as young as 8 years old.
The Ballyclare Gazette was contacted by a concerned neighbour who feels that something has to be done to put an end to the group's unruly behaviour.
The resident who did not wish to be named told the Gazette: "This continuous anti-social behaviour has been going on for a considerable period of time now and I think it is time that something is done to make it stop.
“There is one empty flat in the block and this group continuously congregate there, smoking, spitting and generally making a nuisance of themselves. The two other residents in the block are elderly people and it is a disgrace that they have to put up with this type of thing at their time of life.
“The area around their homes is now filthy - littered with cigarette butts and empty cigarette packets, the place is also covered in spittle where these young people just stand and spit whilst they're having their cigarettes.
“This type of thing happens everyday after school but most worryingly now is the fact that groups of older youths are now coming here at the weekends to party and booze it up. It's both boys and girls who are coming to the flats to partake in these activities and the weekday smokers group has kids as young as 8 puffing away.
“I have contacted the police now to see if they will do something about this. Whilst I understand it is a free country I just think it is completely out of order the complete disregard and disrespect these kids are showing to the residents of these flats. No one would want to have to put up with this on a daily basis, least of all when you are quite old, you can imagine how intimidating it can be for them opening their doors to find groups of youths quite literally on their doorsteps behaving this way.
“I also think it's about time this problem is brought to light in the hope that the parents of some of the children involved will take some sort of action to put an end to this."
A PSNI spokesperson confirmed to the Gazette that they will be looking into the matter and relevant action may be taken against anyone who is behaving in what is deemed to be an 'inappropriate manner'.
