Residents are ‘living in fear’ after sharp rise in crime
CALL FOR ACTION AS GANGS OF SCHOOLCHILDREN MAKE STREETS A ‘NO-GO AREA AFTER DARK’
MORE than 1,300 people have signed a petition demanding action over escalating crime and anti-social behaviour in parts of stockport which are ‘making streets a no-go area after dark.’
Veronica Campbell, who started the online petition, says police are not doing enough to tackle the problems caused largely by teenagers in Bredbury and Romiley.
Groups of youths aged 12 to 15 have been intimidating people late at night, stealing from shops as well as starting fires and throwing missiles at cars and buses.
A little further afield muggers on a moped with a knife have been targeting people in open spaces including Vernon Park, Offerton, and Brabyns Brow, Marple. And businesses, including Cohen’s Chemist on Higher Bents Lane, and Pressed for Time ironers on Berrycroft Lane, have been hit by armed robberies.
Residents say dozens of pleas for police help have fallen on deaf ears and they have complained in writing to Greater Manchester Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd.
But police say they are doing their best with limited resources and are taking action, including a visit from officers on horse back, with others planned.
Ms Campbell said: “Because of the inaction of police despite pleas for help the problem has grown.
“Our community is living in fear and local trade has severely been affected. Many residents are virtually prisoners in their own home after 8pm, which is when the growing number of youths are present on the street. I and many others feel that it is escalating to the point there will be a fatality if Campbell with the petition someone does not intervene. People are losing faith, I don’t think we are far from vigilante groups.”
Ms Campbell spoke out after an arson attack at a building site on stockport Road, Romiley. A container was broken into and a digger inside torched.
A community meeting was held at Romiley Methodist Church which was attended by police, MP Lisa smart and stockport Homes.
sgt Richard Lloyd, from stockport’s east area neighbourhood team, said the majority of trouble makers are school age. Officers are visiting schools to talk to pupils and identify culprits. He added: “We are aware of the problem. In the age of austerity we haven’t got as many resources, but we have brought in what resources are available to stem the problem, identify who is involved and take action.”