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Yob culture makes Bramhall life hell
Kirsty Elleray9/11/2005
EXCLUSIVE
RESIDENTS declared the leafy suburb of Bramhall a no-go zone after dark due to intimidating behaviour by gangs of youths.
Around 100 angry and frightened residents crammed into the Bramhall Area Committee last week, where an open forum was held for them to share their experiences of youth nuisance, vandalism, and alcohol-fuelled crime.
One resident said: "Bramhall is a no-go area from 6.30pm. We need CCTV coverage. There is a presumption that Bramhall is a safe place, but this is just not true. We need more police in the area."
Another said: "I feel close to a nervous breakdown when I can see 20 or more youths outside my house. People are frightened to go out at night."
And another added: "Teachers have told me that youngsters brag about getting anti-social behaviour orders, it is like collecting a trophy to them."
At the meeting residents were also asked to put their hand up if they had been affected by anti-social behaviour - more than two thirds raised their arms.
Now Stockport Council is setting up a new hotline number for residents to call to report anti-social behaviour with information then it can be passed on to police.
Councillor Bryan Leck said: "It is the worst I have seen Bramhall since I moved here 45 years ago. Parents need to take responsibility for their children's actions. We all pay our rates to be protected by the police and expect a better service in Bramhall.
"If this problem is not dealt with it is only going to get worse. A lot of it is alcohol-fuelled, we need to stop them from getting alcohol, either from home, buying it under age or asking people to buy it for them. We want cameras in the village, and there will be one soon in Meadway car park.
"It is intimidating when a gang of people are hanging around outside your house. I would be scared to death if it happened to me. I would not want to go out and face them."
Councillor Maureen Walsh added: "As well as putting a stop to youngsters causing anti-social behaviour we need to help those youngsters who are scared to go out as it is also not safe at night for them either."
Insp Graham Dodd, who covers the west area of Stockport, attended the meeting to listen to the residents' problems.
He said: "Throughout the summer the problems in Bramhall were reduced because of the section 30 dispersal order and now another dispersal order, which will incorporate a bigger area is being put in place."
Last week the Stockport Express reported that a 23-year-old man from Poynton was left with head and facial injuries after a fight broke out outside the Orange Tree on Ack Lane East, on Friday, October 28, at around 11.30pm.
And police were also called on Saturday, October 29, at around 11.30pm, by residents on Handley Road after three car windows were smashed by three youths on bikes.
Anti-social problems were also highlighted in the car park of the new Tesco on Woodford Road and the Lumb Lane area of Bramhall.
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13/11/2005 at 13:05
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17/11/2005 at 17:07