Formby councillor brings together police and residents to discuss anti-social behaviour

Residents who have suffered months of antisocial behaviour met with police and a Formby councillor to discuss the issues and potential solutions. The meeting was organised by Labour councillor Nina Killen and was held at Little Acorns soft play centre on Redgate. Around 20 residents of Buckfast Drive and some from other streets nearby attended the meeting along with a Sergeant and PC from Formby's neighbourhood policing team. Cllr Killen said: "Residents of Buckfast Drive have been experiencing unacceptable antisocial behaviour from groups of young people for many months. This culminated in a window being smashed on so-called mischief night, which the police are investigating. "Residents have had objects thrown at the windows, they've been abused when they've confronted the gangs, it really has been a miserable time. On nearby streets a car windscreen was put through on mischief night, and another resident reports her house being specifically targeted over many months. "The main issue seems to be caused by young people moving from McDonald's to Redgate shops, using an alleyway between Altcar Road and Buckfast Drive to do so. There may even be a social media element to the targeted harassment. "Some residents understandably want to see the alley closed off, but it is part of the public highway so it is not easily done. I have spoken to the Cabinet member for Highways on Sefton Council and he has suggested looking at placing gates on the alley that can be locked at night by residents. This apparently works well in other parts of the borough. I have asked the roads team at Sefton Council to assess this request. I would urge anyone potentially affected by this to contact me. "The police suggested better lighting on the path may deter groups as they have no cover of darkness, so I have also asked this to be assessed. "I will also contact the landlords for Redgate shops as the police say better lighting around the shops may deter people from hanging around. There has been a request from residents for CCTV and again it is not a straightforward process but it is something that can be looked at. Identifying these individuals is key to taking actions against them to stop them and I would encourage residents to keep me informed about is happening and report incidents to the police. The council's ASB team can also take action but only if we know who the perpetrators are. "I have also contacted McDonald's to discuss the issues they have been having. I hope all parties can work together to address these issues." Cllr Killen can be contacted at nina.killen@sefton.gov.uk PIC: Cllr Nina Killen and officers from the neighbourhood policing team meet residents from Buckfast Drive to discuss ASB