A recent report in Link and discussions at the Parish Council meeting have highlighted cases of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in parts of the village.
The article below about the Pinfold area was sent through to bish dot net a couple of days ago, by a villager concerned about these activities. Although it's written in a light hearted way it does raise some serious points.
But what do we think about life in Bishopthorpe? Do we really have an escalating problem, or has there always been a certain amount of bad behaviour that tends to play itself out over time? Are we seeing more damage, more rowdiness, more assaults than we used to, or in comparison with other areas in and around York? And what should we be doing about it?
What do you think...?
THE PINFOLD
According to Wikipedia, the Pinfold was used to keep stray animals which had been rounded up because their owners had failed to supervise their use of common grazing land. A fine had to be paid for their release.
Passing by the Pinfold at the corner of Acaster lane and Copmanthorpe Lane the other evening I thought that the Parish Council had reintroduced a by-law bringing the Pinfold back into use as all I could see was some hapless, brain impaired waifs and strays waiting for their owners / parents to reclaim them.
But what had these owners / parents done that their offspring are confined to the Pinfold?
- Failed to supervise their waifs and strays while using common grazing and drinking places (The bars at our wonderful local hostelries)
- Allowed them to stray on the public highway therefore being a danger to themselves and the law abiding citizens of our lovely village and a danger to visitors who are maybe not aware of the straying animals that frequent our Main Street
I would like now to congratulate the officer appointed by the Parish Council who is responsible for rounding up these waifs and strays but who is that person? It cannot be our esteemed Community Police Officers because they go home at lunch time. It must be a super hero that is on call 24 hours a day to ensure the supervision of these waifs and strays.
But rumour has it that the waifs and strays are not as stupid as one imagines, as they appear to make their own way to the Pinfold to await collection and when the owners / parents fail to show up because there is something on TV they want to watch instead of supervising their animals, they try to dig themselves out of the Pinfold causing damage that has to be repaired at the cost of all of us.
So they are as stupid as one imagines as they could just walk out of the Pinfold the way they walked in without causing any damage at all and go home.
I will lay bets on that the Pinfold does not suffer damage from these waifs and strays in December, January and February when the weather is inclement to say the least.
We live in one of the most beautiful villages in the York area if not the whole of Yorkshire. Can't these idiots and their owners / parents understand that the law abiding residents will not tolerate our environment being constantly damaged and destroyed and that people have the right to enjoy our village and its history.
It is up to everyone who knows who causes this damage to report it to the authorities so action can be taken against them.
Why not a photographic stocks on the Bishopthorpe web site with names and pictures of the culprits so the rest of us can throw virtual rotten fruit at them. What a good game that would be.
Until we all say enough is enough these idiots will continue to damage and destroy our environment so let's put a stop to it now.
Are users aware of a new facility in Keble Park North which may attract further anti-social behaviour – the Children’s Play Area?
The play area has been planned and built without the involvement of local residents whom have voiced several concerns, which appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the Parish Council. We have recently learnt that are to be no security gates on the area to prevent teenagers and youths frequenting the area in the evenings. This can only encourage and lead to anti-social behaviour and possible damage to this valid facility. How long before we see a further act of vandalism or arson around this facility?
This is a valued facility but we need to protect both it and residents privacy.
Would appreciate any feedback on this from local residents.
Lots of interesting points raised... In reply to Anon 26th Oct, what makes you think these young adults are not middle class and are 'less fortunate' than the people they torment? Have you done research to form a basis for this opinion?
The person who wrote the Pinfold piece is not being rational. This is obviously a response to a personal incident and they are angry, which is understandable. Yet ironically the article is childish, ignorant and destructive. Pointing to the parents is lazy as the age of the youths range so where does adulthood and independence begin? Where is the rule book? who is holding the moral compass? So many rants aimed in the wrong direction.
You have figures and evidence of consistent crime here. Go to Look North or call The Press as soon as another significant event arises. Dramatize events as much as possible. Get a photographer or cameraman to the village. Do it quick as it is still a 'current' piece. They will bring attention to the situation and the first question citizens will be asked will be 'what are they doing about it?' and your response is 'nothing, after numerous reports of criminal behavior '. Elections around the corner, local MP will listen and be made accountable.
How is referring to these people as 'idiots' going to help anything? Anyone using these insults are as bad as the 'waifs and strays' referred to in this article. It is very easy when living a comfortable lifestyle with a privilaged backgroung to criticise people less fortunate than ourselves. We pride ourselves on being a Christian community. We would do well to practise what we preach!
True Chris...I don't use the cycle track due to this and certainly would not take my children on it!
I'd like to point out some more antisocial behavior from persistent offenders. These are the middle aged middle class variety which are typified by their four legged wretched factories of unpleasant deposits which litter the cyclepath between Mars and Jupiter. In the last 3 days I have walked this route once and cycled twice and each time I have ended up washing off my shoes or wheels with the garden hose in the back garden - even though I was doing my best to avoid the stuff as I know its all over.
I think its time to urge action against these middle age antisocial yobs. We all carry camera phones. Unite against this disgusting plague and submit photos of the dogs and owners here for a wall of shame that we can then sent to the council to enforce fines against these people that blight our otherwise beautiful village which by the way has an overwhelming majority of great young adults.
In response to you message i just wanted to mention that we now run a youth club for 11-19 year old in the village hall that is pretty much open every wednesday and the wednesday's are not opening we (qualified youth workers) will be walking round the village trying to engage with the young people who are not already attending the session
From The August Parish Council Meeting the crime figures were as follows, (copied from the Parish Council Page on Bishopthorpe.net)
Bishopthorpe figures
26th July 2009 – 23rd August 2009
Criminal Damage
07/08 – Window broken at Listers News agents – 1 ARRESTED
07/08 – Fence damaged in Keble Park North
19/08 – Sensory Gardens damaged
Auto Crime
9,10,11/08 – 12 car aerials were taken in the School Lane, Montague Rd and Beech Ave areas
Theft
04/08 – Canoe equipment stolen from Ferry Lane – 1 ARRESTED
05/08 – Lawn mowers stolen from Brunswick
17/08 – Charity box taken from Ferry Lane
19/08 – Insecure bike taken from Acaster Lane
Burglary
05/08 – Copper tank taken from Bridge Rd
16/08 – Ferry Lane cottage entered – 3 ARRESTED
Arson
22/08 – Fence set alight in Keble Park North
23/08 – Hedge / bowling club hut set alight
ASB – (None crime)
26/07 – Bottle thrown at window on Maple Ave
28/07 – Neighbour dispute in Myrtle Ave
31/07 – Red car speeding on Keble Park North
01/08 – Youths on mopeds in Appleton Court
02/08 – Youths on mopeds in Appleton Court
03/08 – Youths being rowdy in Keble Gardens
05/08 – Youths being rowdy in School Lane
06/08 – Youths being rowdy in Copmanthorpe Lane
07/08 – Youths being rowdy in Acaster Lane
10/08 – Objects thrown at window on Maple Ave
11/08 – Youths jumping in the river off the „fisher of dreams‟ bridge
13/08 – Youths on mopeds in The Orchard
14/08 – Youths being rowdy at the Co-op
14/08 – Objects thrown at window on Maple Ave
17/08 – Youths being rowdy in School Lane
17/08 – Youths being rowdy at the Co-op
18/08 – Youths being rowdy at the Co-op
20/08 – Youths being rowdy in Pinfold
I notice that York City Council has a Youth Offending Department. Perhaps it should come and offend some youths around here....
Seriously, though, I worry about a situation in which, when two or three (young people) are gathered together, they are assumed to be a public menace. I have grandchildren and they want to meet their friends from time to time in situations other than the choir or the rugby team. Are they to be arrested if they meet in groups of more than (say) five in the local park?