Villagers' fear over hall (From Gazette Series)

Villagers' fear over hall

KINGSWOOD Parish Council has raised concern about the number of young drivers gathering in their cars at the village hall.

Groups of young people use the car park as a meeting place and, according to some users, have been abusive and threatening.

At the last council meeting chairman Cllr Paul Hemming said: "We have had reports from people about large groups of people gathering in their cars.

"We have had two letters from people about it. One says he was the victim of verbal abuse and threatening behaviour by one individual who was driving into the village hall.

"The other letter said a vehicle was driven at high speed towards the village hall from Wickwar Road with no allowance for pedestrians. The vehicle then screeched to a halt at the rear of the hall where a group of young people was already assembled."

Councilors suggested gates to the village hall were locked when the hall was not in use, and keys given to people who hired it.

But Cllr Hemming continued: "The keys are given to the people who hire the hall and they should lock the gate but it means they have to move 20 to 30 young people with five or six cars. It is a bit of a problem really."

Steve Law, Stroud District Council's neighbourhood warden, said: "We will be going up there and talking to them. I have spoken to the police community support officers and they will be coming out and doing patrols in that area. We have told them that just their presence up there could be intimidating. We have had a chat with them and we will continue to do so.

"There are obvious steps that can be taken such as locking the gate. I know it is a nightmare to lock people out.

"We will approach this situation. It is letting people know they can't get away with it - we are going to start attacking it."

In the past fortnight police officers have been called been called to the hall twice. On October 19 it was reported that people were letting off fireworks and on October 25 it was reported that somebody was on the roof.

Insp Paul Donovan said loa officers and rural beat officers were aware of the problems and they were usually detected.