Da Yoof hanging around Goodrich Rd/Dunstans Rd mini-roudabout...(Lounged)

[SCSB79]

Anybody have issues with these lot??

They've been hanging around a lot recently, late into the night... leavnig a shed load of rubbish, getting their estate dog all wound up and barking aggressively, showing the dog to local cats etc, swearing, spitting and general loutishness.

Anything that can be done??? Too intimidating to talk to face to face.

[NatashaD]

What do these youths look like?

Over the last few months I've had 'issues' with a gang of youths hanging around near my house in the night time. They 'looked' intimidating. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I rang the police (so had neighbours) when they chose to smoke weed by one of my neightbour's front door (they're away). They were a gang of white, black and mixed race youths. It was a bit frightening when they started shouting 'bang bang' and seemingly running riot, especially as I was on my own in the house.

The next day, about 4PM, these guys had returned. They were talking to my other neighbour, so I walked up. It transpires that they had come to apologise. Their mums wouldn't let them hang out at home and they had nowhere to go. I said to them surely they could see that sloping into people's gardens was unacceptable, but they begged to be allowed. I replied with a firm NO. I told them couldn't they go on Goose Green instead? No, it was 'too open' they claimed, and all the parks were closed.

My neighbour asked them if they didn't have anything better to do; were they working etc? They said they were at college but it was the summer hols.

In the end I felt a bit sorry for them, and no they didn't return. They weren't at all intimidating in the light of day.

[SCSB79]

Not sure if it is the same people... all the gang were black, with the exception of one white girl on Saturday. I think one of them drives a peugeot with blacked out windows. I've actually seen it parked on Dunstans/Goodrich Rd so he may even be a local.

It's becoming more often that they are outside causing bother. My neighbour phoned the police, but until they cause damage etc... what can they do??

[*Bob*]

Careful, SCSB.. I don't think you're allowed to say they're black these days. Even if - you know - they are.

[Jah Lush]

It's the summer holidays and yoof are bored. Weren't you a teenager once with nothing much to do except hang with your mates? I chose to hang around outside an off licence with my friends before we could get into the local pubs when I was a little yout bwoy.

They aren't all thugs, just try talking to them without prejudice first before condemning their behaviour and they might just might curb their more loutish behaviour.

[BARA]

If they appear under 19 Southwark Youth Service have got a range of activities set up for the holidays, I think it is entitled Summer Fun - copies in Library and on Southwark Council Intranet. There are a few venues in East Dulwich area.

Also the Post Box Youth Club have a couple of day time events as well as Wednesday and Friday evenings at the East Dulwich Community Centre,.

[NatashaD]

Actually Jay Lush has got a point. I used to live on a Camberwell council estate and loads of 'intimidating looking youths' used to hang out in the stairwell. At first I teetered by them eyes glued to the floor, but when I started saying 'hello' they were actually quite polite. They were unlucky in not having gardens like some people, and the flats were pokey and small. I was lucky. I got out.

I feel sorry for people who have to permanently live in council blocks. They're awful places. Really depressing.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Some people never change tho' - take Jah Lush... is I saw him loitering outside my gaff even now, I would be nervous! ;-)

[mamafeelgood]

i agree with what has been said above, as a teenager i headed straight up into the west end and went clubbing so i never hung out on the streets. however, my sister and her large group of friends would all hang out on a street corner by a phone box, this was pre mobiles so they all knew the number and could call in to see what was up (seems funny now no mobile phones...) anyways, they too had no where to go to do what it is that teenagers need to do so the same problem arose, especially with good weather.

i would chance a hello or look and smile if you happen to be passing just to judge if they're out to be pains or just being show off teenagers. swearing is part and parcel of being a bored teenager. however, not all groups of youths are just innocent bored teens so if the noise is keeping you up at night try the council noise dept and see who they recommend you speak to.

also, if the behavior is aggressive to local cats and they seem to be winding the dog up on purpose call the RSPCA, mad as it may sound but they work now to make sure that dogs are not going through this torture of being wound up by their owners. i find it hard to believe that your local safer neighborhoods team have not responded by sending a patrol car around. they are usually on the ball when it comes to nuisance behavior, ask them what they are doing to keep an eye on this behavior during the summer break and simply call every time the group is there and making you feel uncomfortable. then they get to see the pattern in the kids behavior. see it not as hassling the police but helping them ...

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Actually we all know appearances can be deceptive and,where possible,its good to communicate(tu)

Tell them about the aforementioned " Summer Fun " they can have with The Southwark Youth Service...I'm sure that will do the trickB)

I mean how could anybody possibly refuse that....:))

[mamafeelgood]

tony i agree, i wish i was 16 again and could attend...aherm. i think a big soft play area should be built for the bored youth ... now there's an idea.

[Jah Lush]

SeanMacGabhann Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Some people never change tho' - take Jah Lush...

> if I saw him loitering outside my gaff even now, I

> would be nervous! ;-)

Be afraid Sean. I know where you live.;-)

[Brendan]

Teenagers everywhere hang about wherever they can, they get bored and then they misbehave. There is nothing unusual or necessarily criminal about this. I will wager most of us did it. It is just strange that society in London is so broken down that the police are needed to play nursemaid.

[mamafeelgood]

to be fair some are up to no good, there's no point pretending either way. did anyone see that bbc4 doc about sunday schools? they were established to take the kids of the streets on a sunday. they would run riot (quite literally) as it was their only day off from the workhouse and there was nowt to do. so yes a century old problem ..."summer fun" here we go.

[*Bob*]

Sorted then.

Brendan will go and have a word.

Brendan? Corner of Dunstans & Goodrich.

[Brendan]

Just brushing up on my street slang *Bob* and I?ll be down there forthwith.

Seriously though I was talking more about people knowing each in an area. Kids, like adults are less likely to try to act big and clever around people they know (or their family knows etc). I think the anonymity coupled the close quarters in big cities probably contributes to antisocial behaviour.

[*Bob*]

If they know where their family are. Or their family cares, of course.

And both of the above are more than twice less likely to be the case if you're talking about (for example) black caribbean children. Oops! I said something that someone will probably get upset about. Despite it being true.

[Jah Lush]

No one's bitten yet *Bob*. If it pleases you do keep trying and I'm sure someone will eventually.

[*Bob*]

You mean 'bite' as in 'actually start talking about something that might mean something'?

[NatashaD]

I am surprised that nobody picks you up when you say the B word Bob. They do everyone else.

[SeanMacGabhann]

Interesting point Natasha - but from where I sit

*Bob* has been around for ages and hasn't just started posting to share his views on "the B word"

He is usually (but not always) writing with his tongue in his cheek anyway

And how come you can get away with losing the asterisks??? If Bbob is happy with that then it will save me loads of fiddly typage!

[*Bob*]

Who's Bbob?

[Jah Lush]

I'm fully aware that *Bob* has his tongue firmly in his cheek most of the time Sean but it seems to me from where I'm sitting your tongue is firmly ramned up his arse.

[lozzyloz]

It's the 'K' word *Bob* has a problem with. Didn't you know he's the forums resident racist?

(and I'm the resident homophobe)

edited for gay spelling

[SCSB79]

To be honest, I don't think these "gangs" are of school age. They appear to be older and it's not just been happening now the schools are off, just I think I'm noticing it more waht with spending time in the garden/having windows open, it has been occuring for a while.

I'm not too old or ignorant to say it wasn't like that in my day. Of course it was, we did hang around on the street corners. What we didn't do though was kick footballs at locals cars, have dangerous dogs on metal leads, abuse each other to the stage fights nearly broke out, wind up said dogs so they were going mental, drop all sorts of litter all over the street with no care.

This lot aren't a group of teens being tarred with the same brush as the bad ones, these are the bad one. I think I'll pass on the advice to go and speak to them. I guess it's another call to the police/neighbour hood crime team.