Yobs making lives a misery near Metrolink (From Bury Times)

Yobs making lives a misery near Metrolink

6:10am Thursday 11th March 2010

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YOBS are making the lives of residents a misery by targeting streets close to Metrolink stations.

Local councillors are urging police officers to take a hard line with troublemakers, following the latest incident on Friday night which resulted in officers being called to Windsor Road in Prestwich, close to Bowker Vale Metrolink Station.

Councillors say they were contacted by scores of residents complaining of youths throwing concrete slabs at their homes and into their gardens.

Cllr Richard Baum, who represents St Mary’s ward, said: “On Friday, a gang dismantled loose concrete by steps at the station and threw the debris at windows.”

Cllr Andrew Garner, who represents Sedgley ward, added: “We’ve had spates of problems at this Metrolink station before. It scares neighbours.

“Having concrete and stones hauled at your home at night is scary.

“We have been delighted at the prompt response by police and Metrolink, but it’s clear that more needs to be done to catch those responsible.”

One resident who lives close to Heaton Park Metrolink Station said he was not surprised: “We have had these problems for years and I know people who have had problems at Bury and Radcliffe stations too.

“Yobs start fires, smash car wing mirrors and there have been muggings.

“Metrolink stops are perfect for them. They are dark, quiet places that offer a quick escape on the tram when they get into bother.”

Inspector Dave Ryecroft, of Prestwich Police, said: “We are expecting an almost 10-per-cent drop in anti-social behaviour incidents in Prestwich in 2009/10 compared with the previous year.

“This has been helped by crackdowns such as Operation Gateway, where the Prestwich neighbourhood policing team has targeted nuisance offenders on buses and trams “Another crackdown is Operation Dice, which also targets groups of anti-social youths”

Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, which manages Metrolink, declined to comment on the issue.

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