Youths in park are "terrorising locals" (From Barry And District News)

Youths in park are "terrorising locals"

RESIDENTS of The Grove in Barry claim they are being terrorised every weekend by gangs of youths who gather in Romilly Park.

They say children as young as 13 are drinking alcohol in the park, and that people are too scared to go in when the gangs are there.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Huge gangs come out of the park and muck about in the road quite late at night.

"Eggs and stones have been thrown at houses and cars have been jumped on.

"On Friday about 100 people came out of the park at around 10.30pm. They were fighting, shoving, running backwards and forwards and urinating in the street."

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said: "Recently we've had gangs of children, some as young as 13, grouping and drinking in the park.

"They don't leave until after midnight, then they come up the hill doing anything they fancy. A number of people have had their car wing mirrors damaged.

"A few weeks ago when I looked out of the bedroom window, I saw youths aged about 18 or 19 carrying large quantities of beer into the park.

"The police, from time to time, will go down there and clear them out, but they have no respect for any authority whatsoever.

"I have lived in the street for over 50 years and it has been worse over the last eight years. People have moved away because of this.

"I want the council to lock gates at night and provide a full-time park warden."

Phil Beaman, operational manager for the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: "The council's parks division and Barry Police have been working together on a long-term joint initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour in Romilly Park.

"This initiative has led to positive results but the level of anti-social behaviour has, unfortunately, begun to rise once again, and the council is liaising with the police to explore avenues which it is hoped will improve the current situation.