Estate trouble will be probed

Estate trouble will be probed

3 October 2012

MOUNTING concern about anti-social behaviour at the Knocknashinna estate in Downpatrick will top the agenda at a special meeting in the town tomorrow night.

The Co. Down Rural Community Network has organised a meeting at the De La Salle High School to provide an opportunity for people to air their concerns.

Representatives from the PSNI will join residents and local politicians for the meeting which will be chaired by Down Council’s community safety manager, Mark Kent.

Confirmation of the meeting comes almost a month after police vowed to increase patrols in the Knocknashinna area in an attempt to address anti-social behaviour.

There have been a series of unsavoury incidents at a new £250,000 play park and parents in the area have been asked to be responsible for their children.

Police and residents have expressed concern about a number of incidents at the play park over recent weeks, including urinating, foul language, stones being thrown at windows and young people running through gardens.

Ahead of tomorrow night’s meeting, Mr. Kent said the event presents people with an opportunity to raise their concerns.

“The meeting provides an opportunity to discuss how various agencies and residents can work together to resolve the problems they have been experiencing,” he said.

“It’s important people come forward. No doubt different residents will have different issues they want to raise, but it’s important they are aired so we can begin to examine them and work towards solutions.”

Mr. Kent said he would also like to see people who live at the Knocknashinna area coming together to form a new residents’ group.

He added: “Down Council and the PSNI won’t be able to resolve all the issues themselves; we need everyone working together. We all recognise there are problems. What we need to do is agree how they can be addressed.”

One concerned resident who contacted the Recorder believes people in the Knocknashinna area will very much welcome the opportunity to raise their concerns at tonight’s meeting.

“There are many issues people want addressed. While the focus over recent weeks has been on trouble at the Knocknashinna play park, there are also problems with anti-social behaviour at the Gallows Hill area.

“A number of people are also concerned about the impact the introduction of a one-way traffic system in Edward Street will have on the Knocknashinna area,” said the resident who did not wish to be identified.

The resident also revealed police were called to the Knocknashinna area last weekend after youths attempted to steal lawnmowers from several homes.

He added: “This is just the latest incident at this part of Downpatrick and residents are rightly concerned. They want these problems addressed so they can get on living their lives in peace. We should not have to put up with the behaviour which has blighted the Knocknashinna area for much too long. People have had enough and want something done.”

• The meeting starts at 7pm on October 3, at the De La Salle’s lecture theatre.