Published: Wednesday, 27th February, 2008 14:30
Peace restored to park plagued by gangs
By Lucy Thorne
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A PARK plagued by gangs of youths attacking people, damaging cars and fences, wheel spinning and throwing eggs will have peace restored by a dispersal order and mounted police.
Teenagers have been terrorising residents for four months but after 89 reported incidents police have invoked powers to send them packing.
Kensington Park in west Reading and the surrounding area will be under a dispersal order from Friday, March 7.
Oxford Road Neighbourhood Inspector Graham Dix said: “The main problem has been youths congregating in groups of up to 40, drinking alcohol and causing fear and intimidating residents and people using the park.
“The persistent anti-social behaviour is having a significant impact on the quality of life of the community.
“The dispersal order is not the be all and end all, however we are determined to try to reduce the number of incidents in the area and this will be a useful tool.
“This is not the worst area in Reading but it is in the top 10 for the worst anti-social behaviour.
“Historically this area has always been a problem but this time we have got in early and hopefully we will be able to contain the problem.”
One neighbour, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "Kids do gather at the park and for some people it is quite intimidating. They can be quite frightening and we’re getting fed up of the frequent damage they cause in the area.”
A CCTV camera will be focused on the park and up to 16 officers could be on patrol at any one time.
Insp Dix added: “We intend to police this order quite robustly throughout the summer.
“We hope to get mounted patrols and extra officers.
“Previously, when we have attempted to tackle anti-social behaviour in this area we didn’t have neighbourhood policing but now we have a team of dedicated officers.
“Previous dispersal orders in this area have helped reduce anti-social behaviour by 50 per cent.”
The latest figures reveal violent and car crime increased between April 2007 and January this year, compared with the same period in 2005-06.
But Insp Dix believes a recent conviction of one man on a car crime spree will see statistics fall next year.
The order, which runs until September, covers an area of west Reading bounded by Oxford Road, Western Elms Avenue across Tilehurst Road to Southcote Road to Bath Road, along Liebenrood Road, Tilehurst Road and Water Road and down to Grovelands Road.
Potential troublemakers who do not live in the area can be forced to leave, and even be banned for 24 hours.
Under-16s found in the area between 9pm-6am can be taken home.
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