Parents under fire after children 'wreaking havoc' in Evenwood

YOUTHS are wreaking havoc in Evenwood – with reports of youngsters climbing garages, illegally shooting birds and taking pot shots at people’s property with air rifles.
A broadside has been fired by the parish council at parents for not reining in their children. The incidents include reports of “three young men” with pellet guns blasting wildlife.
Complaints have been made to police, the county council and the RSPB about the behaviour of youths in the village.
The police have also been singled out by parish councillors for being too “nicey, nicey” and not getting to grips with the troublemakers. Cllr Anne Lyons said: “They shot three blackbirds, two sparrows and a magpie. Last year it was an owl. This is a criminal offence. The RSPB has been informed and my neighbour even found a raptor alive but with the pellets in it.
“They were shooting on a public walkway in Ramshaw and one person has had their security lights put out. There is just no need for it – people are appalled by this.”
Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson said damage to the village included the church green.
“It’s been reported to Durham County Council’s anti-social behaviour team. They are in their droves at the moment. It’s not an exaggeration to say that last Wednesday night there were about 40 kids. The litter the day after was horrendous,” she said.
Councillors were told that young people were creating ramps with mounds of soil for their bikes – despite there being an official BMX track at the sports ground. Surprise was expressed that people living in the area had not made repeated complaints to the authorities.
But at least one complaint was made about young people climbing someone’s garage, the meeting heard.
Cllr Paul Townsend said: “The bairns must go home filthy. Why aren’t the parents asking ‘where have you been?’ The parents and children don’t give a naff.”
A lack of a regular police update was also a bone of contention at last week’s parish meeting.
Cllr Lyons added: “We don’t seem to get much police action from the police no matter what happens.”
Councillors accused Durham Police officers are being too “nicey, nicey” and lacking authority when speaking to young people. A stricter line was called for.
Cllr Mary Prince said: “We have to get some enforcement in the village.”
Others complained that there had been too many police inspectors for Bishop Auckland and this had not led to any consistency.
Cllr Rachael Webb said: “We need strong action and punishment. There needs to be consequences for their actions. They should be made to repair their damage.”
However, it was suggested that if every person who committed an anti-social behaviour offence was made to tidy up the area, Evenwood would be the among the cleanest villages around.
It was claimed that police patrols in Cockfield had led to young people congregating in Evenwood. However, Cllr Martin Clark said not all young people were bad.
Insp Andy Reeves, head of neighbourhood policing in Bishop Auckland, said: “Evenwood is a very important area for us and we currently have two PACT priorities in the village relating to concerns about anti-social behaviour
“I would encourage local people to attend these PACT meetings to raise any further concerns and also to work with us to provide community intelligence on these issues from within their neighbourhood. “The police will take action when there is a need to do so, however educating those causing the problems may be more beneficial in the longer term. For example, the use of restorative approaches is an ideal way in which those responsible can put right any damage they have caused, provided we have evidence related to those offences.
“The local beat teams will continue to carry out regular reassurance patrols in the Evenwood area to address any concerns.”