COMMUNITY leaders in Rainworth say villagers need to work together to tackle the problems caused by underage drinking and nuisance yobs.
As part of a feature on anti-social behaviour last month, Chad reported that gangs of up to 40 youths were hanging around Preston Road and the surrounding streets, drinking, smoking and breaking bottles.
And one local resident, who does not wish t
o be named, says they are gathering on street corners every Friday and Saturday night intimidating elderly residents – many of whom are now afraid to leave their homes after dark.
"A lot of people want something done about it but they are too frightened to speak out for fear of repercussions," she said.
"We realise that a lot of children have nowhere else to go, but they are drinking and smoking on street corners and some are as young as 12.
"Some nights we don't have any problems but when we do it is bad –– I would not mind if they cleared up after themselves but people are unhappy with the mess.
"One Saturday morning recently was particularly bad with a huge amount of cans and broken bottles and other debris being left.
"There is no actual threat of violence but I understand why the elderly fear these large groups."
But the resident was also quick to praise Rainworth councillor Allen Tift who helped clear up the debris left by the yobs.
"He has been very good –– he does understand the problem and is obviously trying to sort things out," she added.
This week Coun Tift, who is also a Newark & Sherwood district councillor, says the problem is a community issue and it is everyone's responsibility to sort things out.
He told Chad: "Some people believe these problems started when we built the play area on Preston Road but we had problems prior to that.
"This is a community problem and it is the collective responsibility of the parish council, residents, parents and the police to tackle it."
Rainworth Parish Council has made an application for the village to be made a Designated Public Place –– giving police the power to confiscate alcohol and punish drunken yobs with on-the-spot fines of up to £50.
"Shopkeepers are certainly contributing to the problem by selling alcohol to underage drinkers," added Coun Tift.
"But we are doing everything we in our power to crack down on people selling to underage drinkers."
The full article contains 410 words and appears in Mansfield Chad newspaper.
