WALTHAMSTOW: Anti-social youngsters blight neighbourhood (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Anti-social youngsters blight neighbourhood

3:26pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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NEIGHBOURS are fighting back to reclaim their streets from crowds of anti-social youngsters.

The footpath between Church Road and Higham Hill, in Walthamstow, has become a popular hang out for young people.

But residents say their social gatherings every evening bring anti-social behaviour and litter, including empty sprit bottles and beer cans.

One resident, Mike Shaw, of Black Horse Lane, who regularly uses the footpath to visit his girlfriend's home in Claremont Road, said: "They dump their bottles every where - it's disgusting. It costs money to clear all that up.

"Someone has to clear it up and at the end of the day its ratepayers' money.

"My girlfriend takes a longer route to avoid them when she comes home from work.

Residents say tighter police controls are needed in the area to control the problem.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Patrick Smith said: "There's frustration and worry in this area and we would like to re-establish public trust between police and residents. We want residents to know that action is being taken.

"We want more public trust in the Safer Neighbourhood Team that is it being vigilant and getting these kids to move on."

Higham Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team say it has carried out evening patrols in the area and residents have been contacted for advise.

Trading standards officers have vowed to conduct off licence inspections in the area in response to a growing concern about underage drinking.

Anyone wishing to get involved in the area's policing can visit www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods