Following reports concerning youth behaviour problems, I returned to the Osgathorpe Park area of Burngreave with photographer Carl Rose.
Anti-social behaviour notices
Notices stuck to lampposts around Scott Road and Ellesmere confirmed a dispersal order was in force until 30th April next year. A set of youths on the corner of Ellesmere Road North said the idea was a positive move in controlling what I guess, even for them, was a growing problem. Another group congregating outside the church on Scott Road claimed it was a load of rubbish.
“That anti-social behaviour order is all hype Rob!” said a teenage lad. “Yeah” agreed the young girl swinging on his arm. “I was out till one. The Police saw me and did nothing.”
Another young lady with them said she was arrested for being on the Wicker after twelve and was driven back home to face her parents.
“Anyway,” said another close by, “It ain’t going to stop anything, we still got to go out and even then there’s not much for us to do.”
Something better to do
Returning to Abbeyfield Park the following morning I interviewed another group, young volunteer members of the local Princes Trust. Working in the Park they had just returned from a weeks excursion and adventure in Wales.
18 year old Amy Cherrell and Charlie Worrell, 19, under the supervision of Park Rangers Daren and Anna, were planting bulbs and seeds for growth. “Yeah we enjoyed Wales,” they explained. Mala Mckoewn and Mohamed Hassan, both aged 16, along with Holly Taylor were trimming the grass verges. “Yeah I enjoyed the rock climbing,” said Mala. “I’d do it all over again.” The Princes Trust offers activities for young people that benefit the community as well as themselves.
Mat Edgerton is the youth participation officer for Osgathorpe and Abbeyfield. He first explained his concern about the time it’s taking to develop a Youth Shelter in the park. “As for anti-social behaviour notices, I believe they are quite basic and informal. It describes a code of behaviour that can be understood by young people. It suggests, for instance, kids of school age should be in at 9pm. I think they need proper structure, especially those around school age.”
David Smith, a Friend of Osgathorpe Park said, “Since the dispersal order there seems to be less drug dealing, but that might be due to recent arrests.” Jon Ekwubiri of South Yorkshire Police confirmed there have been a number of arrests for drugs and this, combined with the dispersal order, has led to things quietening down in the area, “Feedback from residents has been good,” he said. “The dispersal order has improved people’s quality of life.”
by Rob Smith
