'Selfish idiots' blamed for park trouble

Newcastle's Walker Park has seen issues with fireworks being set off, the local MP says

"Selfish idiots" have been blamed for rowdy scenes at a city park with an MP urging authorities to take action.

Mary Glindon is calling for a "zero-tolerance approach" to anti-social behaviour she says is plaguing Newcastle's Walker Park.

She has complained "yobs" have been regularly setting off fireworks in the East End green space through the summer holidays and it is understood there was a fire in the bin shed of the park's cafe on 24 August.

Newcastle City Council said it was keen to ensure the park was an area residents could be proud of.

Glindon, who represents Newcastle East and Wallsend, warned the park had suffered from anti-social behaviour for many years but that it had "worsened considerably over the summer".

The Labour MP added: "If you give an inch then selfish idiots will take a mile. I have convened a meeting between local people and the police to urge them to do more to stop the park being abused by yobs.

"A zero-tolerance approach is needed to return the park to its peaceful and social purposes at the heart of the local community."

'Long-standing concerns'

One nearby resident, who asked not to be named, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the sight of fireworks and young people riding around the park on motorbikes had made it an "intimidating" place.

The council said it had worked with local groups to develop a plan for investment in the park and had carried out a survey to determine what changes could help prevent incidents occurring.

While acknowledging there had been "long-standing concerns around anti-social behaviour" at the site, the authority added it had not previously received any reports involving fireworks in recent months.

Insp Craig Patchett, of Northumbria Police's Byker and Walker Neighbourhood Policing Team, said summer months often resulted in a rise in anti-social behaviour and that enhanced patrols had been carried out.