Cllr Alf Dewis and Inspector Monks
(Cllr Alf Dewis said he felt like the mafia,
I know just what he means every picture tells a tale)
Cllr Alf Dewis organised a street briefing with Oakham Police, Rutland Community Safety partnership.
We met at the iron bridge, if you live in this area you are likely
to suffer from a considerable amount of anti social behaviour.
Compared with other areas of Oakham.
The meeting was well attended by the public.
The Mayor of Oakham Sharon Spencer,
Cllr Joyce Lucas, Inspector Monks, PC Icke, PCSO Jay
and another new sergeant just sent from Melton were present.
Rutland County Councillor Peter Jones who is a cabinet member
and has keen interest in the anti social behaviour
caused by people outside licensed premises,
he sits on the licensing committee
and a member of
Rutland Community Safety Partnership were present.
I nearly forgot Cllr Charles Haworth he turned up late
and yes I did see him hiding on the bridge with a video camera,
He must be careful he knows the trouble
his friends caused me for photographing in public
and I was even not hiding.
Gosh imagine if I was hiding what they would have done..
Either side of the Railway Bridge is a problem for residents
if you live South Street side you have most likely had
your porch light ripped off the wall.
The other side you get your fence kicked down,
plants uprooted and recently
two cars were destroyed after a motor cycle was set on fire by youths,
Speeding cars are also a cause for concern.
One lady informed me her neighbour had lowered
the tone of the street by placing Gnomes in her garden.
She had just got used to seeing them and someone stole them.
Maybe they will send a postcard.
To be fair it’s not down town New York but still very unpleasant if you have to live there.
Police said they hoped things would improve for South Street residents, the CCTV system is to be expanded the cost is being supported by Tesco. The police said they receive 100 calls a month from Tesco, related to shoplifting and anti social behaviour. Tesco have also drafted in extra security and now you will find two uniformed Total security guards and they have promised not to let the young people run in and out of the store taking cases of beer or cider, Tesco carefully stack by their front door.
Many residents spoke with police and councillors and then departed no one wanted to accompany Cllr Dewis for his ward walk so we all went home. Its not all doom and gloom in that area of town, only this weekend I saw a older lady returning home and she was struggling with a large boxed microwave and she called across to three boys sitting under the iron bridge for help and they instantly jumped to their feet to help the lady carry the box into her home. Very brave move, on her part if you consider other resident views of young people who hang around the bridge.
The area I live in is very peaceful, it was mentioned there was a break-in in my road although not nice for the owner it is the house that is known locally as a doss house and shop to purchase recreational items. I guess the owner might be more careful who they let in future. That’s if they are not knocked of their bike when they pass by as high as a kite, hands in the air singing,
