Big reaction to claims of anti social behaviour in Thurston

There’s been a huge reaction to claims of anti social behaviour in Thurston by young people with some residents backing efforts to support the youth of the area.

It has come after Sam Stott alleged that there was an increase with “more and more frequent” bad behaviour including shouting and fast motorbikes and teenagers with push bikes blocking one side of Barton Road which was ‘totally dangerous and unacceptable” and calling for a more prominent police presence. There has also been reports of “mooning’ traffic on the Barton Road and bad language.

Police are aware of the concerns and will be going into Thurston Community College to speak with teachers as well as liaising with parents but have asked residents to report potential offences with descriptions of offenders and take photographic evidence of offenders and or offence.

A campaign to build a new skate park in memory of 13-year-old Benn Wragge who was killed in May 2016 in Thurston after a home made air rifle accidentally discharged and hit him in the neck is gathering pace and Donna Walker said it is vitally needed for the youth of the area.

Commenting on the situation on the Next Door website she said: “The village needs a skatepark to help young youth and stop people thinking bad of the kids round here, but while these disrespectful kids behave like this Ben’s memories won’t live on which makes me sad.”

And Nancy Skipper, who lives in Elmswell, said: ·”Seriously, you build a skate park and then expect teenagers not to use it. Come on? You’d be better off thinking about what the young people of your towns and villages actually have to do; very, very little, especially round here.  Where do you expect them to hang out?”

Fellow villager Susan Mewes added: “It’s just the same in Elmswell, we have cars and motorbikes at all times of the night sometimes after midnight. The police said unless they catch them there is nothing they can do and that I should phone them when it happens (the last time I called it took 50 mins to get through). We are so fed up with this as it happens every night.”

Frank Pettitt, from Beyton, said: ·”We never had skate parks growing up. I know I’m going to sound old but we would cycle to friends, to local greens, play football, build dens but with respect for others. Too much time spent on mobile phones, gaming, not using their own initiative. A different society I know.”

Councillor Sara Mildmay White, said the same situation was taking place in Rougham.

“Our community policeman has arranged some extra patrols which means a drive by in a police car. Unfortunately the young people know there are no sanctions for bad behaviour.”

And fellow villager Francesca Webber added: “We have the same disrespectful kids in Rougham who swear at people in vehicles, riding and doing wheelies in the middle of the road. I’ve heard they’re urinating in the bus stop near the pub too. What happened to respect?”

Bobby Hazelton, from Thurston, said: “I have frequently seen children (probably about 11, 12, 13) riding bicycles three or four abreast pulling wheelies using  bad language … Heath Road, Barton Road. Youths collect at the back of houses in Norton Road smoking. I have to say not all rude, however there is a nasty little group riding around that definitely could do with a bit of respect and discipline. I can honestly say I haven’t  seen a policeman in Thurston for… actually I honestly do not know, not even passing through.”

And Shirley McGown said: “Skatepark will be great, it won’t help the little ‘loves’ that keep riding up and down the village on motorbikes though. It’s getting worse.”

Peter Harris said: “Most young people are great, but some always spoil it for the others. When the village doubles in size the problem will be twice as bad because there will still be nothing for them to do. Surely the parents of the ones causing the problem should be informed and if they have any decency they make an effort to control the problem before it gets too bad. Couldn’t the community centre be opened for somewhere for them to go a couple of evenings a week?”

Steph Hubbard said: “There’s anti social behaviour in every village, unfortunately you have to learn to live with it as the parents don’t give a toss what their kids get up to as long as they are out of their way.”

Erin Hastings said: “We are going to have a huge influx of houses and we need to cater for it. If kids have a place they feel welcome to hang out with friends they will go there. We were all young once and remember how we felt. I agree also though that this anti social disrespect for people on the roads isn’t on. But they are hanging about because there’s nowhere to go.”