Petition calls for ground to be closed at night (From Warrington Guardian)

Petition calls for ground to be closed at night

THE assault of two men in Over Recreation Ground on Friday night was the final straw for many residents who have now started a petition to close the area.

Residents have become increasingly frustrated by the anti-social behaviour of youths who are making their lives a misery.

Ray Whalley, 46, of Pulford Road, is now asking other residents to sign his petition calling for the area to be locked at night.

He said: "It has now reached the situation where two grown men can't walk through what is supposedly a 'play area' without being beaten up with a baseball bat and golf club.

"At weekends there are around 40 youths congregating there drinking, smoking and taking drugs and it has to stop.

"I have a four-year-old daughter and a granddaughter and I don't want them growing up so close to this area because it just isn't safe."

The assault on Friday is the latest attack in the recreation ground that has been a constant worry for residents.

The play area groundsman, Colin Blakely, was left with a broken eye socket following an assault by 17-year-old Kyle Colin Bannaghan, of Gladstone Street, in April last year.

Ray said: "They are out of control and something needs to be done to stop them.

"I realise it will cost money to close the play area at night but it is something that has to be done because people's safety is at risk."

Town and county councillor Tony Hooton said: "I'm not sure what we are going to do about it yet but we are looking at all the problems on the recreation ground.

"There is certainly underage drinking going on there and I do sympathise with the residents."

Mike Kennedy, Grange Residents' Association chairman, said: "It is of great concern to residents so we will be giving them our full support with this petition."