Action group folds

An action group set up to tackle vandalism and disorder at a Stourbridge park has been forced to fold through lack of support - leaving troublemakers to run free.

Wollaston residents set up an action group - Friends of Kent Road Playing Fields - to spruce up the area which has been used as a den for drinking and drug taking.

However, it has been forced to fold which means any improvement plans for the area have been dropped. Residents have had to put up with children ripping up paving slabs and dragging them to the play area.

Dudley Council staff were brought in to dismantle the den.Residents leafleted the area to encourage people to attend meetings of the friends group but, despite some initial interest, numbers started to tail off.

In the summer many residents complained when golf ball were sent flying over fences causing a potential hazard.

Eggs have also been thrown at windows.

One of the Friends organisers Shirley Winnall said: "We wanted to create a communal garden for some of the older people living nearby. But the youths would have probably wrecked that.

"We wanted to also put up something for the youngsters to do, but we couldn't get enough support.

"It's a shame as the problem is ongoing."

Residents in nearby Wentworth Road say they have had golf balls landing in their gardens and smashing windows.

The culprits have even been teeing off with small stones and neighbours say they have seen people practising the javelin.

Councillor Margaret Cowell said: "The problems on Kent Road playing fields are ongoing.

"It's a shame the group folded as they were trying to do something positive."

Dudley Council spokesman Phil Parker said the authority had no record of anyone wrecking play equipment but said any anti-social behaviour matters would be tackled by police.

By Rebecca Jones