People in New Ferry have described growing problems with antisocial behaviour as like something “out of The Purge.”
New Ferry is a small town near Bebington on the east side of the Wirral but people there say antisocial behaviour problems are getting worse, with a huge spike in recent weeks.
People in the area who spoke to the Echo said the issues weren’t new but the problems mean “people are terrified to go out at night.”
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On February 25, a fire was started in the town’s park playground and the fire service was called out to extinguish it at 6:30pm.
Cllr Sue Percy, who represents Bromborough, said another fire happened on February 27 and there have been reports of more incidents in New Ferry since then.
The Echo was told that bricks had been thrown through car windows, shops, and at buses, as well as homes and businesses in the area becoming targets after reporting the issues.
Wirral Council said repairs have taken place and equipment will be replaced, with the hope of reopening the playground as soon as possible. The council estimates recent damage caused in New Ferry, as well as at two other parks on the Wirral, is now more than £5,000.
Jason Howard, who walks his dogs in New Ferry park was the first to spot the damage in the playground. He said: “To be honest I was disgusted by it. If it’s kids or whoever has done it, they have got no respect for anyone.
“New Ferry’s a nice place to be but then we have idiots who try and do some damage.”
Mark Anthony Craig, chair of the New Ferry Residents Association, described it as like “something out of The Purge,” referring to the popular horror film franchise.
He added: “People are really concerned about the huge spike in anti-social behaviour since half term.
“New Ferry in particular has problems with anti-social behaviour, businesses have been bricked and rocks thrown at Stagecoach buses. It seems to be the currnt in thing on Wirral. Some do think it is perfectly acceptable to cause the mayhem and the misery that they do.”
“Things have been pretty quiet since Christmas and the New Year but look here we are back again.”
Mr Craig said people have been a target after reporting the issues with targets on homes and businesses and some have been attacked or spat on while walking through the park.
He said: “People are terrified to go out at night in New Ferry,” adding “unfortunately it is the minority who use it to cause trouble and spoil it for everybody else.
Mr Craig expressed concerns as demolition work is expected to begin in the summer to do with the regeneration of New Ferry, given he claimed people are taking bricks from behind a former hotel nearby.
He said: “Unless the sites are secure and the kids cannot get access to the missiles, you can imagine what it is going to be like with stuff thrown about everywhere.”
Cllr Percy has been working with local police officers and helped clear up the site. She said: “We do not have much in New Ferry as it is. It’s very sad behaviour but we live to fight another day.
“People, they are just very disappointed. The people who used it were disappointed it happened” but added: “there’s a bigger picture than just these swings being melted and destroyed.”
She said cuts to youth services and other support services was contributing to problems. She said: “It is not acceptable behaviour but what is there for them. What is the future for them? These things feed off each other. It’s a cry for attention and help”
A spokesperson for Wirral Council said: “This type of vandalism is disgraceful – it deprives youngsters access to their local play areas and the chance to enjoy themselves and have fun in spaces that should be reliable and safe.
“After the council was made aware of the damage the children’s play area was closed off, with a report made to both the anti-social behaviour team and community patrol. We are grateful to those local residents who alerted us and helped clear up the mess.
“The play area will remain closed while the safety surfacing is inspected and repairs have taken place. The damaged play equipment will need to undergo safety checks and, once completed, replacement tyre and chains for the cantilever swing can be ordered. Council staff are working to get it opened again as soon as possible.”
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: “We are appealing for information following damage caused to a playground in New Ferry Park.”
“It was reported to us on Thursday 2 March that fire damage had been caused to the surface of the playground at around 6.30pm on Saturday 25 February.”
If you have any information about this incident, contact us via social media @MerPolCC or call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference 23000180373.
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