the Birstall post Y O U R
C O M M U N I T Y
JANUARY 2010
N E W S P A P E R
www.birstallpost.co.uk
No. 318
Police crackdown leads to arrests A POLICE crackdown on Friday night antisocial behaviour in Birstall led to five arrests and 25 young people being spoken to. A police spokesman said: “The Birstall beat team and additionally allocated officers conducted pro-active patrols on Friday December 18 in the village centre to address concerns raised by the community over antisocial behaviour and criminal damage.” That evening Birstall’s Richard Carruthers was monitoring the village CCTV cameras and saw a group of young people damaging shop windows with graffiti. Following the arrival of response officers from Charnwood Local Policing Unit, five persons were arrested and interviewed in relation to damage to 10 commercial properties on Sibson Road. They were bailed pending further enquiries. The Police spokesman said: “Persons unconnected with the group were present in the street but failed to challenge the behaviour or call the Police that the damage was taking place.” Earlier that evening Police officers spoke to 25 young people: four were taken home to their parents due to being under the influence of alcohol, 14 alcoholic drinks were seized
and drugs paraphernalia confiscated for destruction. Two people received directions to leave following disorderly behaviour and one person was issued with a warning for antisocial use of a motor vehicle in the Sibson Road car park. The behaviour of a small group of people caused the youth workers to close the drop-in facility at the School Lane playing field pavilion early. Police say alcohol is believed to have played a major part in all the offences and that the majority of it was purchased locally on behalf of underage drinkers by adults who also live locally. Sgt Ian Stone, Charnwood LPU citizen Focus Sergeant, is visiting off-licences in the area providing support and advice regarding underage drinking • On Tuesday December 15, at 6.30pm, Police arrested five men suspected of an attempted burglary at the Posy Bowl on Sibson Road.
Tea & songs Speeding problems CONCERNED ABOUT vehicle speeds on Greengate Lane, a Birstall resident is looking for volunteers to help set up a Community Speedwatch Initiative. Kevin Preston, of Moorgate Avenue, said: “I see the speed limit broken often and the principal reason I’m concerned is I have a daughter at Highcliffe School. “Now we have the new junction layout at the A6 end it’s easier to get out, which could encourage more traffic from Beaumont Lays Lane. Ashton Green is also planned and it could become a pretty busy road.”
‘Community Speed Watch’ (CSW) enables volunteers to work within the community to raise awareness of the dangers of speeding and to help manage the problem locally. Volunteers are trained to use hand-held radar and laser gun s so they can record the speed of passing vehicles. As an alternative to the guns, Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) can be Continued on page 2
PUPILS FROM Stonehill school served tea and cakes and sang Christmas songs to elderly people at Riversdale Court in Birstall. The students are all taking part in a 10 week programme of activities that leads to an ASDAN award, and came up with the idea of visiting Riversdale Court after discussing it with their youth workers. Pupil Emily Spence said: “We’ve sang songs and served tea and cake. It’s been really nice to see all the smiling faces and everyone’s been really friendly.” Trish Richardson, trainee youth development worker, said: “I think this sort of activity helps break down barriers between the old and the young. I’d like to thank the warden, Anne Petrie, and the residents for their hospitality.”
Pic: top, the pupils singing to residents are (l-r) Georgia Smith, Clara Atkins, Beth Russell, Chloe Moore, Liam Hargrave, Emily Spence, Jessica Harby and Ella Pinsent Bottom: (l-r) Beth Russell, Chloe Moore and Emily Spence