Surge of unruly youngsters blamed on council's trial road system
John Dickens • Published 15 Jan 2012 17:30
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A SURGE in groups of unruly youngsters loitering outside shops is the latest twist in an ongoing feud between angry business owners and the council.
Chalvey Road West traders have blamed the rise in congregating youths on the council's trial one-way road works which they say have turned the street into a ghost town.
Teachers from nearby schools have also taken to the street with regular patrols to disperse groups after reports of a brick being thrown through a shop window at Heer chemists on Thursday last week.
Owner Ravinder Heer said: "Kids were playing on the railings on the disabled ramp outside. Two minutes after a member of staff went out to move them on I heard the shop window put through. It is a perfectly open space for the kids but when I have approached to ask them to move on they swear at me."
Police were called to the incident at 6.20pm.
A 16-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage but was released without charge because of insufficient evidence.
Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, said: "We will continue to monitor the situation, however there is a tendency to blame the highway changes for a range of events in Chalvey, some of which are part of ongoing trends long before the changes were made. This appears to have been an isolated incident, which the police have now dealt with."
However Mr Heer, who claims it is too dangerous for him to lock up on his own, has now splashed out £1,200 on security cameras.
PC Louise Sloane, Slough and Eton School's officer, added: "The school has been working together with the community which is very important. We are out there patrolling every day ensuring the kids go home."
Ward Cllr Mohammed Basharat added: "As we move out of winter you will have a lot more youngsters playing around. You have seen nothing yet. It will get worse and worse."
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