Hi just seen this on the glastonbury notice board, any comments or ideas
(Again myself and my daughter was witness to two larger, older youths attacking another younger,smaller youth from behind and kicking him in the face and body whilst knocked onto the pavement. He had tried to walk out of the Abbey carpark and was attacked from behind at such great force and speed, Im not even sure he was concious as he hit the floor and when they started to kick him in.I had to drag my daughter out of the way as she tried to help the young lad up, she thought he'd tripped, he landed on the back of her legs nearly sending her over into me too.I looked around for any adult help, there wasnt any. There were at least 50 to 70 young teens hanging around at the bus stop,Town hall and carpark drinking, oblivious to or ignoring what was going on, obviously safer in their numbers and, as my daughter pointed out, numb to it as its just an everyday occurence to them.This is the 3rd attack Ive personally witnessed in as many months. Is it the norm? Are we supposed to just accept this as normal weekend behaviour? I dont want to. I dont want to be scared of walking down the street.I dont want to have to drive 2hundred yards to feel a bit safer.I dont want to fear each time my children walk anywhere. In fact its getting so I dont even want to live here anymore. If the lad who was attacked, even if he 'deserved' it for saying or looking at some one wrong, needs a witness ( as he never even saw what/who was coming) please tell the police to get in touch.
People from the Assembly rooms went to see if they could help but it was 'all normal' when they got there. So whats normal? As I stepped over the blood on the pavement as I made my way home, I certainly didnt feel normal. My daughter was physically sick on our evening out.Come on Glastonbury, police,council,residents,parents.Stop ignoring whats going on EVERY weekend. All of the trouble Ive seen is from under aged drunken teenagers. The Pol

By the_mouse at 08:21 on 29/08/10

Re-post

Hi. I live up Windmill Hill and have been thinking about urging the council to revoke McColls alcohol license. Do you think stopping shops selling alcohol would help? Can we ask for a clampdown of selling alcohol to those under 18? I don't go into town in the evenings. There's nothing for me there, so I'm a bit removed from it, but even in the residential areas we have teenagers being aggressive, taking over the kiddies play park and smashing bottles, leaving cigarette butts and larger cans there, so it's not safe to take toddlers to the park. Perhaps these teenagers need an alternative place to go and they need to be educated that they will be protecting themselves if they stay away from these 'gangs'. We need strong community and we need to welcome young people into it, but let them know that respect is the prerequisite for membership and that anything other than that will not be tolerated.

By kabbalahtree at 13:26 on 11/09/10
Report
I am not sure if McColls sell alcohol to Under-18s, but even if they don't it is generally not an issue fro under-18s to acquire booze.

When I was a young 'un it was probably easier to buy alcohol over the counter than it is now; a local pub used to serve us through a hatch at the side, and at about 16 yrs old I was able to buy cans of cider from a shop near my school, during school hours and wearing school uniform. These days I'm sure that would be much harder to do.

Nevertheless I think crime caused by over-indulgence in alcohol is getting worse in the UK, but there is also a breakdown of communication between adults and their children in many households, and less of a family bond. Less respect for others and general apathy from the local authority, police, government, schools, media, shopkeepers, etc to take any responsibility for any of it means it won't get any better any time soon.

By cardinal_sin at 10:35 on 12/09/10
Report
I Personally don't think it is simply the case of underage people drinking, which, solely causes the problem, though it is certainly a contributory factor. But I think young people have lost sight of what is right and wrong. but what they do know as a certainly, is that because of their age there are hardly any consequences or reprisals for their actions. for instance, many media reports show, that a lot of teachers live and work in fear of what some of these children are capable of. Elderly and vulnerable adults are terrified into living an almost solitary lives because they are frightened to go out. And yes I know it’s an age old problem with kids being seen as yobs, the teddy boys in the 50’s, mods and rockers in the 60’s and punks in the mid 70’s. but there were sometimes very severe consequences for their actions. Today there is nothing. they are excluded from school, bingo! it seems that this is what most of them want anyway.

By the_mouse at 10:41 on 14/09/10
Report
I absolutely agree with all of the above. I'm just wondering on a practical level, whether there is anything we can do, or whether we just sit back and watch it. In a way I'm happy just to stay clear of these youths and mind my own business. A friend of mine's daughter used to work for a support centre for youngsters, based on Silver Street where Hoofers dance studio is. It was run, I think, by young people who went out to places where these 'gangs' converged, and just talked to them. Apparently they had some success. Maybe it would be worth asking if they need any help fund raising in order to be able to do more?

By kabbalahtree at 19:08 on 14/09/10
Report