Project threatened by yobs (From Gazette Series)

Project threatened by yobs

YOUTHS running rampant on the recreation ground and firing stones at neighbouring houses with tennis rackets has put the future of Berkeley Vale Youth Project in doubt.

A small group of youngsters was seen to bombard properties in Canon Park with stones propelled by tennis rackets during a club meeting two weeks ago. Several other objects were also hurled at the houses.

On Monday, Berkeley Town Council heard how this and other incidents during that evening had led to three residents complaining in person to town council chairman Cllr Ralph Pinnell, while a letter of complaint had also been written. Cllr Pinnell said: "I think it is totally out of order. We all agree that it is totally unacceptable behaviour. One more incident like this will push the thing right out."

The council is alarmed that on the evening the incident took place the youngsters involved had been unsupervised outside of the building on the Canon Park Recreation Ground where the club meets.

The club is meant to be run by a youth worker and an assistant but on some occasions only the youth worker has been present.

Cllr Val Watts said: "Are we paying for services that we are not receiving?" Councillors acknowledged that a lot of good work had been done since the group was set up a year ago but incidents such as these could not be allowed to continue.

Cllr John Freeland said: "We are in the last chance saloon and unless things start to improve we will have to review the situation."

It was made clear, however, that only a small group was involved in the incident and councillors recognised that the vast majority of youth club members behaved themselves.

Gloucestershire County Council, which co-ordinates the youth project through the Stroud Youth Service, told the Gazette this week that the project was generally regarded as having been successful.

In a written statement the council said: "The youth club at Berkeley has been running for two evenings a week for the past 12 months and in that time youth workers have seen real positive changes in those attending the club.

"However, there have been isolated incidents and complaints. The youth worker at the club has spoken to those involved and will continue to monitor behaviour at the club.

"Our youth workers work hard to maintain positive relationships with young people in the Berkeley area and the work carried out by them is of enormous benefit to the local community."

Berkeley Town Council is to set up a meeting of all interested parties to assess the situation.