Over two hundred local residents came to have their say about the extent of youth crime in the area, and to give their ideas on what needed to be done to solve the problem, at a public meeting organised in Henbury by Prospective MP, and local campaigner, Charlotte Leslie.

Listening to residents’ concerns and experiences was Mark Jackson from the Police, Marie Manser from youth services, local campaigner Chris Windows, leader of Emmanual Chapel Paul Thompson, the  Head of Henbury School and Dave Jeal, chaplain at a local young offenders institute.

From the meeting, emerged the need to ensure the youth club was open regularly, including at weekends; local residents put pressure on the police to ensure a greater police presence and more officers on foot; residents called for sharper action to be taken over shops selling alcohol to underage young people; and it was agreed that steps would be taken to engage the local football clubs, and investigate providing access for young people to a boxing club.

Commenting, Charlotte said,

” Many residents have felt that they have simply not been listened to, when it comes to the extent of the antisocial behaviour they have to tolerate on a daily basis. This has been a good opportunity for the police and the council to hear first hand what life for local residents can be like.

” Several ideas came out of the meeting, which we will be working on over the coming months.  It is unlikely there will be a silver-bullet solution to this issue, but ensuring the community pulls together, and that those in authority realise the extent of the challenges Henbury faces is a good start.”