‘I’m more angry with the parents’
FAMILIES are calling for action to tackle a gang of more than 20 youths who they claim are making their lives a misery.
And residents on Station Road in Endon say the group of boys and girls – aged between 14 and 17 – have pelted homes with eggs and kicked footballs at their fences. Now Staffordshire Police say local PCSOS will be working with families in the neighbourhood to get to the bottom of the issues.
Fed-up households say the youngsters are regularly dropped off by their parents on Friday and Saturday nights and will meet outside Endon Stores, or the playground near the Methodist Church.
Station Road resident David Proctor, aged 71, said: “They all congregate at the front of Endon Stores. It was closing at 10pm but we said that was ridiculous and it is now closing at 9pm. They hang around until about 9pm and then they disappear.
“We have got a lot of parents dropping their children off in cars. Last summer there were up to 40 children but this year it has been 20 plus. In the school holidays it is midweek as well but usually it is Friday. They are aged 14 to 17, both lads and girls. They make a noise and kick balls up and down against fences. Last year they were throwing eggs against houses.
“It has been happening for two or three years. It just seems to have got worse. There is a small park up the road and they have been getting in there.”
Dad-of-three Jon Mason is also fed up with the youths and has called the police on several occasions due to their behaviour.
The 42-year-old said: “They play football until 10pm and leave a lot of litter and waste.
“They have climbed on the village hall roof on several occasions. I have phoned the police before now. I think there is enough in the area for them. There is enough open spaces, a canal path for bikes, a good recreational area, a sports field and play equipment.
“I am more angry with the parents who drop them off and pick them up. We believe they are coming from outside of Endon.
Fifty-eight-year-old Bob Morris added: “It is worse in the summer months, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. One thing that concerns us is that it is kids from out the area who are being dropped off.
Chief Inspector Mark Thorley said: “We have listened to the community’s concerns and following this the local PCSOS are engaging with the community to understand the issues and to provide reassurance.
“Looking at the intelligence there has been no spike in anti-social behaviour and therefore this is something we are looking into locally to try to understand the issues.”