Park nuisances (From Barry And District News)

Park nuisances

A BARRY street is standing together to save their area from gangs of youths who are making their lives a misery.

Homeowners in Bassett Street say they are sick and tired of teenagers hiding in the bushes in Bassett Park, setting off fireworks and airbombs.

Fifty-year-old Anne Batt said: "Last Thursday was the final straw. It sounded like war had been declared. The sky lit up and the noise was deafening."

It seems a gang of teenagers had trapped a large amount of fireworks under containers to make the bangs even louder.

According to the angry locals, the teens started becoming a real nuisance five weeks ago, coinciding with the park being reopened after vandalism forced it to be shut.

Resident of 30 years Marion Jones, 50, added: "About two weeks ago there was a knock at the front door. When we opened it, whoever it was threw eggs and flour into our hallway."

Anne added: "We have all signed a petition, even the regulars in the Bassett Arms pub to get this park secured. It was the regulars who said there were syringes in the park.

"On Friday, Marion and I went to look and we did find one. It's no wonder parents don't allow children in here."

PC Simon Rees of Barry police said: "The new CCTV van we have in the Vale of Glamorgan has been used extensively over the last month. We sympathise with people having this kind of problem. In the run up to Halloween, we will be deploying the van to the town centre and surrounding area."

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "Council officers have discussed a number of issues with residents and are seeking ways of resolving their current problems concerning Bassett Park and its use by troublesome youngsters."