Sponsored by
Kippax: Misery at hands of drunken yobs
Kippax residents are living in fear after claiming gangs of drunken yobs have taken over their neighbourhood.
Groups of up to 20 teenagers have been gathering in Kippax, setting fires, drinking, hurling abuse at locals and leaving rubbish.
Paint has been thrown at the walls and pavement of the council's leisure centre, on Station Road, where the gangs have been gathering.
Some residents have been too frightened to speak out but one local, Bernadette Loughlan, 51, says enough is enough.
She told the YEP: "I have lived here for six years but this summer has been horrendous. They are drinking around the streets, I find drug packages on the floor, they have been lighting fires and setting rubbish in the bins alight. It's not just that – they are threatening as well and this is happening every night."
Bernadette and neighbours have reported the problems to the council's antisocial behaviour unit as well as the police.
Trouble started back in April when an 8,000 youth shelter was built in nearby fields.
Police have appealed to the parish council to get the shelter moved and a public meeting will be held with councillors next week over its fate.
Insp Chris Jones said: "Local people should not have to put up with this sort of behaviour and we will not tolerate it. Policing patrols have been increased over the evening and weekend period and we have also successfully applied for additional powers, which allow us to confiscate alcohol from anyone found to be drinking in the area.
"I have also raised my concerns with the local parish council to remove or relocate a youth shelter from nearby playing fields, which has been a contributing factor to localised antisocial behaviour since it was first erected in April.
"Unfortunately, a small minority of young people using the shelter do not respect the residents that live nearby and removing or relocating it is a sensible step to take."
A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "An officer has contacted Mrs Loughlan to advise her on how this matter will be dealt with by ourselves, the police and other partner agencies to make sure that the individuals involved are identified and the necessary action taken.
"We urge the public to report all antisocial behaviour directly to the police or our antisocial behaviour unit on 0113 222 4402."
* Residents living near the leisure centre will be invited to a meeting held next week between police and councillors to have their say.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- January 2012 Premier League and Championship transfer round up
- Leeds United: We wouldn’t have got Alan Smith for £2,500 a week! - Grayson UPDATED
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Leeds United: Celtic star set for Whites loan move?
- Simon Grayson sacked: Whites keeping managerial options open LATEST
- Leeds United: A fresh start is just what we need - Lorimer
- Web poll: Who should be Leeds United’s next manager? VOTE HERE
- Are you satisfied with Leeds United’s dealings in the January transfer window? VOTE HERE
- Match report: Leeds United v Birmingham City
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -4 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: West
