Whitley Bay just like ‘hell on earth’
THE TOWN IS PLAGUED BY YOUTHS’ ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
SMEARING dog dirt on cars and playing ‘vomiting games,’ yobs are turning what was once the region’s premier seaside resort into “hell on earth”, the town’s tormented locals claim.
Families and businesses in Whitley Bay say they are being plagued by anti-social behaviour and have called on the authorities to take tough action.
A public meeting in the town on Monday, attended by around 100, and a decision was made to set up a pressure group called Save Our Streets.
The meeting was called by Caz Lamb, who said there have been problems, especially around the town centre, for around two years and it has become worse.
Among the incidents highlighted are: cars being damaged chop windows being smashed gangs of teenagers gathering, drinking alcohol, abusing and threatening residents youths playing vomiting games drunken people, including adults, urinating and defecating in the street faeces being smeared on cars drunken yobs fighting, swearing and shouting, and damage to property. Caz said: “Everybody is so fed up. It’s just like hell on earth.
“Whitley Bay is a lovely place, a beautiful place, but there are pockets of areas where there are huge problems, especially the streets near the Metro station and in the town centre.
“Gangs of youths, aged around 15 or 16, come down the Metro and kick all the cars as they go past. They threaten and intimidate people.
“Residents have had their car wing mirrors broken and so much damage has been caused. It seems like lawlessness, we can’t go down the street without seeing drunken behaviour or gangs fighting.
“I have seen youths having vomiting contests, patting each other on the back and forcing each other to vomit.
“I once tried to stop someone from kicking a car but he just went down the street and kicked every car.
“People are just so desperate and I felt like something had to be done – enough is enough.”
Caz said at the meeting they heard more about the troubles people were facing.
“A 24-year-old teacher said her car was torched the other day. Businesses have suffered damage and elderly people feel intimidated,” she added.
“We have decided to start a pressure group and form a committee so we can get some help. The police need to be more tough. We want some peace.”
Northumbria Police say they received reports last month of several cars damaged in Victoria Terrace and Jesmond Terrace. These offences are being investigated and efforts are being made to stop anti-social behaviour.
Neighbourhood Acting Insp Guy Morgan said to address the issues in Whitley Bay police have increased patrols and other action.
He said: “We know that there are is a clear link between drunkenness and disorder, and where appropriate we will use ‘Direction to Leave’ powers, to remove people from the area which means we can minimise the potential for disorder and deal with public concerns.
“Those committing criminal offences will be arrested in the first instance, but these powers mean we can disperse groups or individuals who may be making a situation worse or getting themselves involved in disorder.
“We hope those living in the area can see that we are taking a robust stance against alcohol-related crime and disorder and we will continue to do so.”
Anyone with concerns about crime in their area is asked to contact their neighbourhood policing team on 101.