Residents in Hucknall came together to combat issues caused by youths climbing and damaging their garden fences. There had been several reports of groups causing issues in Poets Close, Hucknall, as well as the Engine Rooms Leisure Facilities, adjoined to some homes on the close.
Some youths had been gaining access to the Engine Rooms grounds through Poets Close by climbing over residents' fencing, causing damage, as well as abandoning bikes in gardens. Residents said they had issues with parking and felt intimidated when they tried to confront those responsible.
Homeowners on Poets Close say they’ve had to all chip in as residents to replace the fences to put an end to the issue. Brian Matanda, 35, said that this has been happening since he moved to his property in 2018.
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The marketing consultant said: "Well where do I start? Basically we even had to upgrade our fence. The builders had built a fence that was too low, the guys would lift up the panels, go over and under the fences. All the residents came together to pay for a new fence. We all chipped in to get that, to deter them. We would find stones in the car park, luckily no cars were damaged. You regularly see them. I think we’ve seen less of them.
“It’s been since we moved in, December 2018. You’d see them walking in a big group coming down the road, you’d see the crew. It’s been one of those things that’s been so ongoing, it becomes a part of the routine. You see a gang of boys on a Saturday afternoon. It’s been an ongoing problem since we moved in. It’s a nuisance. They only go in to play football.”
Another resident, a 27-year-old man who asked not to be named, said the groups were challenging at times. He said: “We’ve been here for four years in September, it probably started within that time. We used to have a short fence, last year it got kicked through. They were lifting the panels out. The six houses, all got together and got a bigger fence, it solved the problem, it’s bolted.
“When it got bad, we got a quote for new fences and we all chipped in. They were quite challenging. Between ages 13 to 18, different groups at different times. Fortunately it’s not a problem anymore.”
A resident, who didn’t want to be named, said it hasn’t been an issue for her. She said: “They’ve never caused any trouble. They come down and climb over a fence. They have never caused me trouble, they’re just kids. There’s nothing for them, they’ve climbed over my fence, they’ve not bothered me. They should just leave them alone.”
In a Facebook post from Ashfield Police Inspector Jon Hewitt, he said: “On Friday the 15th July I attended Poets Close in Hucknall and the Engine Rooms leisure facilities whose boundary is adjoined to some of the properties on Poets Close. The business are concerned due groups trespassing on their land, causing damage to property, intimidating staff when challenged to leave the site and leaving their sports facilities in an unsafe condition to be used with smashed glass bottles etc discarded.
“Groups are gaining access to the grounds from Poets Close climbing over residents fencing, causing damage to the same, abandoning bikes in gardens and residents parking and again being intimidating when challenged. The site is a business and not a free to use facility, I would urge anyone wishing to make use of the site does so via the proper entrance and pays the appropriate fees to support the business in the upkeep of the grounds. Alternatively are plenty of green spaces in Hucknall which can be accessed free of charge.
“I am aware that adults have been dropping children off in cars on Poets Close so if you are a parent reading this my request is that you do not do it again and you challenge your child not to attend the site unless through the proper entrance with permission of the business. I fully appreciate children will want to enjoy the outdoors and encourage this but would ask people reflect on whether they would want people trespassing through their gardens? Put in to context of whatever you do for your employment do you think it would be reasonable for people to come and take it for free and abuse you in the process of doing so? Thank you for your support and helping resolve these issues for members of our Hucknall community.”
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