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Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Mr Harper (23rd Jul 2014 - 10:31:59) Seems we are now entering the worst period for late night bottle breaking and foul mouthed shouting into the small hours! Last night was fairly bad for anyone within a few hundred metres of the skate park. Summertime, warm nights and no school. Ten or so youths, no skateboards and plenty of bad language with another couple of bottles broke right up till midnight. At least the broken shopping trolley that was being loudly smashed around and dismantled throughout all of last week seems to have disappeared. Surely some money could be put towards installing CCTV on the back of the bowling club which would cover the skate park area and provide the police a method of tracking down the persistent non skating vandals that wish to smash things up and it would probably make those whom want to be anti-social think twice about ruining the village for everyone near to the skatepark.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - wolfie smith (23rd Jul 2014 - 21:09:00) What about getting in touch with EHDC and asking for a youth worker to come down? Or what about getting some funding for a youth club? The kids could play their music etc?

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Steve (24th Jul 2014 - 00:00:56) There is a youth club at the millennium centre But what it needs is mum & dad to have to pay to clean their mess up!!!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Dawn Hoskins (24th Jul 2014 - 09:47:39) It is very important to lodge a 101 call to make a complaint. Everything is a numbers game these days and only if a number of people call will any 'trouble spot' be registered as an issue with the police. It is not the skate park that is the problem. It is not the bowl club or the fact that there is a footpath between the two. It is misbehaviour that is the problem and that can usually be rectified with the right guidance (sometimes) from the police. Lots of good youngsters use the facility, although most go to Petersfield and afar in Mums taxi as the standard is not good enough (I am told) in our village. Don't tar all our young people with the brush of a few misbehavers.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - helen (24th Jul 2014 - 10:16:43) Commercial CCTV systems cost a fortune, the cameras are easily vandalised and need replacing, someone has to sit and look at the recorded film every morning, and then call the police! Perhaps parents should take more interest as to what their children are actually doing in the evening and not taking the view "it cannot be my teenager doing this", will help instead of displacing the problem to the authorities. Yes the police should be involved but if young people want to constantly misbehave, look closer to home as to the reasons. All the money in the world and all the sports facilities thrown at them will not correct their attitude to life, good parenting skills will help and giving them a good role model in the form of your own attitude to life and the community spirit you have will help. Expecting the authorities to spend money on problems we have created ourselves is not the answer! I am not saying all our teens are bad, but I myself think it is a small group of the same teenagers causing the problems and yes, they do live in Liphook and yes, some of the parents do read this!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Mr Harper (25th Jul 2014 - 23:58:44) At it again tonight, definately drinking, definately underage, and they have another fresh shopping trolley to destroy. It's 12 midnight !!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - dawn (26th Jul 2014 - 09:51:25) Mr Harper, Did you dial 101 to make a complaint? What did they say?

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - wolfie smith (26th Jul 2014 - 16:02:53) I still think the best way to work with this is to engage with the young people There isn't a lot for them to do in liphook Why not create something for them? When I was doing some regeneration work in Peckham there was a problem with kids hanging outside the Peckham Pulse. I arranged for classical music and Rachmaninov to be piped out there every night. They then moved away.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - g renouf (26th Jul 2014 - 17:04:20) val doonican works as well!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - claire (26th Jul 2014 - 21:56:13) A big problem is that when you call the police to attend and say it is liphook skatepark/rec/Sainsbury car park the non local control send nonlocal officers. The lack of local knowledge means the perpetrators can leg it out of exit b or c! Local plods would be wise to this (and would also probably know the kids and their parents. Fortunately most kids naturally grow out of these behaviours. As for providing activities, at midnight I would have expected my kids to be safely indoors!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - dave (27th Jul 2014 - 07:42:43) was that with or without the knitted sweater gary!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Mr Harper (27th Jul 2014 - 13:47:46) Hi, On Friday the kids had a sound system attached to their phone, they drank and banged out tunes at Max volume from 9:30 to 1am, waking everyone nearby. I called the police at 11:30 and the noise stopped 90mins later at 1am. The police did not arrive at all, in fact I have yet to see them appear on any occasion that myself or my neighbours called them. Let me address a few points in answer to some of the suggestions 1. Parenting, yes this answer is correct, but it does not solve the issue and its almost pointless mentioning it within this topic. The kids whom are doing this will easily suggest "it wasn't them, they were not there, it was some else etc etc to their own parents if and when questioned. 2. Am not against the skatepark in any way, most kids use it well, its the after hours underage drinkers am referring to. Dont suggest am having a go at the facilities as I am not. 3. There are plently of things to do in Liphook, if you suggest otherwise then tell us what we should be providing between the hours of 10pm to 1am that you feel would solve this. I was young once, I even had a beer when I shouldn't have had and played a bit of music loudly, am not shocked that kids these days do the same. However I did have the respect to do those things well out of anyone's way, the skate park is at the bottom of a dozen houses gardens, it's within ball kicking distance of 2 dozen houses, many of whom have small kids. We Dont want F'ing and jeffing with loud music every summer night. 4. Many post on this forum are in relation to improving the skatepark, costs mentioned span from 30k - 70k, the Liphook skatepark Facebook page even mentioned 10k est already being available. All I am suggesting is a budget CCTV system mounted on a pole on the rear of the bowling club with the recording equipment inside the club. Basic CCTV systems cost £500, I understand a slightly more sophisticated system would be needed and a cost of installation and running cost paid to the bowling club. However a roof mounted camera is well away from vandals reach and shouldnt cost more than a few thousand pound. I believe it would eliminate the after hours anti social issue completely as every underage drinker, music player, bottle breaker, shopping trolley theif would think twice about doing under the eye of a CCTV camera, the police wouldn't need to break from their duties in late evenings, they could simply view the footage at the bowling club during the week and visit those whom did it.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - tony (27th Jul 2014 - 17:04:09) Mr Harper, Whilst I sympathise with you, a lot of what you describe doesn't sound like 'antisocial behaviour' but maybe they are just hangi.g out with their mates on a hot summers night having a bit of a party? Didn't we used to do that? It's that difficult age when youre either too young or can't afford to go to the pub, don't have your own place yet. Luckily where I grew up there was a big green with loads of space, a few pubs around the edges, it was a proper party central, but it was ok because all age groups turned up and enjoyed going out there in the evening. If the kids are committing a crime of course you should call the police, but I guess they've got enough really serious crime going on on a Friday or Saturday night and anyway, do we really want to criminalise them for doing what we've all done, going out and having fun on a summer evening. There must be a community angle to resolving this, not a police one.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - dawn (28th Jul 2014 - 14:33:15) IF you and your neighbours want a CCTV system to protect your interests then that is something that you should look into collectively. Divided up between all of you - it may be a manageable cost. However, the costs of maintaining a constantly vandalised camera are extensive and you should bear that in mind. Also, the police will not be interested in looking at your footage if the behaviour is not what they consider serious. What will make a difference to where the police patrols are allocated are continued calls to report a trouble hotspot - as the increased calls will make patrols turn up. This though will also depend on what the police perceive as 'priority' behaviour. singing, drinking and swearing etc may not be very high on their lists. I agree that if you are trying to get to sleep and are constantly kept awake by it - then it is very annoying, but short of trying to prosecute the young people yourself I fear there is not much you can do about it other than keep calling the police and hopefully encourage evening patrols to the area. You could also club together and install a device like the Mosquito that can only be heard by young people - www.movingsoundtech.com/... and a timer to switch it on at 11pm, say, and job done.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Paul Robinson (30th Jul 2014 - 11:44:50) The Parish Council is concerned about the reports of Anti Social Behaviour in both the Recreation Ground and the Little Rec. Would Mr Harvey please make contact with me via the Parish Council Office 01428 722988 as his input would be most useful. Thank you Councillor Paul Robinson

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Nicola (31st Jul 2014 - 11:15:05) Liphook has well catered for the older generation , clubs, lunch clubs, day centres, a Heritage Centre, a mobility shop, retirement villages, women's institute and the list goes on. Even the Cinema at the Millennium Hall is aimed at the more mature age group. Some years ago I suggested to the Parish Council that the cinema should cater for the younger generation. Oh no couldn't possibly have that, the barriers went up straight away "all children will have to be accompanied by an adult". "What about CRB checks" "what about the loitering around afterwards" "we would receive complaints from neighbours". There is a lovely but largely unused amphitheatre outside the hall, what a waste of an opportunity. This would be ideal for the hugely popular Secret Cinema screenings. Very popular with the youngsters ! Someone has to give these kids a chance, the village is forever expanding and with that come more families with more children. We are a community after all. The kids can't even travel to school without getting grief, yes let's just double yellow the entire circumference of all 3 schools. What message are we sending out to these kids ? No wonder why they have set up camp in the skate park. As for the alleged under age drinkers, that IS matter for the Police. The local supermarkets should lock away all of their trolleys at closing time, that's that issue resolved. The village pub can't even have GIG in the Garden because of complaints ! Wherever the location of the skate park, it will always upset someone. If you want complete silence & tranquility then move into one of the many retirement homes in the village or proactively try to change things for the better for everyone. All the time the kids are being penalised for anti social behaviour the more they will do it. And I disagree, there is nothing for them to do in this village and the only place for them to hang out is the Skate Park.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Nicola (31st Jul 2014 - 11:37:26) To add There have been many threads on here from school leavers asking for summer jobs. Give them one ! How about helping to run cinema events during the summer holiday evenings? With snacks, alcohol free beer & mocktails to sell. I would prefer this idea as opposed to repelling the kids with high pitched alarms, how awful to even suggest it! This "community" needs to stop being so Anti teenagers. You will only push the problem on elsewhere in the village.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Kaz (31st Jul 2014 - 13:59:28) What about if the council would allow it setting up a youth cafe there's an empty space on station road that is big enough u could have wifi pool tables a place for them to hang out until 10 or eleven I would love to do it but really don't have the funds to pay the rent on the place we really do cater for the older generation or the little generation but there is nothing for the teenagers why doesn't the village look to getting something for them instead of rebelling against them it would also create a few jobs sorry its just a thought

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Brian (31st Jul 2014 - 14:00:17) To add to Nicola's comments. This age group is one of the least mobile groups and could really do with a really good local point of focus and somewhere to meet. Maybe ambitious but I notice the land the other side of Radford park is up for sale (crossing London road). Imagine if this was made available to this group to decide what they wanted? an adventure park, perhaps with zip wires or a skate park with jumps across the stream. Maybe an outdoor theatre. who knows what they might come up with? Anyway I know this is dreaming but who knows what could be achieved with a more constructive attitude. The youth club for 11-16 years runs only on a Monday night 6:30 to 8:30pm. See - Liphook Youth Club. The problem is that it wouldn't matter how many nights it was open, 16 years are not going to go home at 8:30pm !

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - The original Jay W (1st Aug 2014 - 22:55:05) Mr Editor and others referring to the youth club Do you have teenage children and if so have they been to the youth club in Liphook and what do they make of it? My children both went but only for a few months whilst they were 12 or so. There really wasn't much for them to do (although it did seem to cater more for girls). Most of the time they spent playing football on the green or going over to Sainsburys - I didn't really see the point in that. The people that run it do their best with what they have available to them and we are grateful to them for that but I really don't think anyone over 13 goes to the youth club - no doubt someone will correct me if I am wrong. So there really isn't much for this age group to do - just the same as when I grew up here and that's no excuse for the anti social behaviour from the minority. I have a feeling that this minority would not go to anything that was on offer anyway unless it was to wreck it or spoil it for the others. Whatever we get for our young adults needs to be protected and preserved from the anti social element of our society so that our decent teens can make use and enjoy. BTW thought Nicola had some great ideas but in the end don't they basically just want somewhere they can hang out together, make noise and have fun without too much cost in all weathers?

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - z (2nd Aug 2014 - 07:24:05) Sadly this will never happen. Liphook has always been for the retired age group for as long as I can remember .(I'm in my 40's) Having said that when my father was in his teenage years in the 1960 -1970 he told me their youth club used to have live bands and was a great place to hang out. Maybe the teenagers of today need a space large enough for them to have a cafe (American dinner style) with a stage so all ages can hang out and enjoy the music they love. A bowling alley would be good. Retro arcade games, dance machines. Gaming events for Xbox or PlayStation games. Cyber cafe so they can hang out in same room but chat online. But these things cost money. Maybe the parish council and local businesses could club together and help the community. They do for the elderly. Why not the youngsters.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - z (2nd Aug 2014 - 07:49:52) I forgot to add. The old paper factory in station road would be perfect. No many houses about. By station. Would bring money in for local businesses at this end of town as well. It's not used , will need doing up and kitting out as in a bad way after years of no use. You could even add a activity area for younger children. ( ball park, climbing frame)This would help the teenagers who have to look after their younger brothers and sisters to help their parents.also help parents have some where local for all ages to go. But sadly due to red tape, health and safety rules and regulations ,CRB checks and insurance. These things will never happen. The elderly will always get the help. The young ones will always be the pain of the society. Those of us in between are just left frustrated as we can not help due to restrictions.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Michael (2nd Aug 2014 - 12:23:54) The parents ultimately need to be accountable for any anti-social behavior.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Chris (3rd Aug 2014 - 10:18:51) Parents are responsible for their children, however when you bring them up to have good values and beliefs you have to trust them and give them the freedom to become responsible adults. They will sometimes make poor choices and the kids that have no boundaries will most probably always be that way. I feel very sorry for the residents that are suffering but has anyone tried to calmly talk to these kids? When I lived in Petersfield we suffered a similar problem, I just went and spoke with them, listened to what they had to say, made a few suggestions to them and explained the situation and the impact on my young family, job done they never returned. Shouting and threatening behaviour doesn't receive the outcome you all desire, these kids are bored with nowhere to go and without anything constructive to do. Most of us started drinking when we were underage, vandalism is usually kids making poor choices as they are trying to find something to occupy themselves. The young and the youths of this village are not catered for or made to feel welcome in this community. The parents can only do their best,but the community is responsible for this situation.. We can find money to buy community speed camera's to make our roads safer, we can't find the money for a decent multi- purpose venue for our youth.. This community isn't just a retirement village and the services and facilities should cater for the community.. We all pay taxes, so let the police run their own speed camera's and let's spend some money on our youth, they aren't doing anything different to us when we were young. I'm against the development of the Bohunt site, but if they offered to build a venue and fill it with stuff for our kids to have a place for them I would support it as the likelihood of this ageing community to support the youth is very unlikely.. Most youths are decent polite individuals and I'm sure there are a few rude, ignorant ones too but probably not as many as I find with the older generation.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Nic (3rd Aug 2014 - 11:00:06) And may I ask why the children are treated as potential criminals at Sainsburys where they have to queue outside to be allowed in? I wouldn't grow up to be a Sainsburys shopper if treated like that as a young consumer.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Editor (4th Aug 2014 - 09:22:26) From Twitter. Whitehill Police (@WhitehillSNT) Posted at 2 August 2014 23:37 on Twitter "Increased reports of ASB at Liphook skate park = Increased patrols. Nothing to note for the past two nights. #CommunityPolicing"

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - JamesP (4th Aug 2014 - 12:58:47) When I was growing up in Liphook there always seemed to be more going on in other places. Once I started playing in bands we used to get booked by youth clubs in Petersfield and Midhurst but the only way to play in Liphook was to hire the village hall ourselves and organise a gig. We didn't even have a skatepark back then though...

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Jamie Boyd (5th Aug 2014 - 10:51:10) Dear Residents of Liphook, As I am sure some of you are aware there is already an existing youth club at Liphook, it meets on Mondays from 6:30-8:30pm at the Millennium Center and offers a wide range of activities for young people as well as informal education. The club is for 11-16's and there is also space for those who are at college who need extra support. The resources have been made available by Hampshire County Council with the Parish Council, however not all young people want to engage with a youth worker and this is where the problems ensues. Myself and Georgie from Crossover at Liss, are regularly out on detached work talking to young people on the streets around Liphook and engage with different groups. If you have any suggestions on how we further engage with the young people of Liphook or if you are interested in helping to solve this problem please do contact me. Jamie Boyd Worker-In-Charge at Liphook Youth Club jamie.boyd@cfheh.org.uk 07467 941005

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Alex P (5th Aug 2014 - 23:35:14) Mr Harper I hate to be so blunt, however, as one of the \'youths\' in the skate park on the night of the 25th I must correct you on a few facts. Firstly there were not 10 of us infact we were celebrating a birthday. Everyone there was over 18 and although drinking we didn\'t have much and were all sober. Our music wasn\'t so loud and we definitely were not breaking a trolley just pushing it up the path to the skate park. The police did come and ask us to be quiet and we did listen and turn down the music. I feel your comment about the rude language unbelievable as I was brought up to not speak in such a way and I know my friends did not speak like that at all on the night of the 25th. We all left around about 1 and left quietly. If you have had a problem with it I am surprised you didn\'t come out yourself. Although I understand you need to sleep and it\'s very disturbing. We were not loud, not underage and not drunk. Please get your facts right before being rude about the youths of liphook as it is very degrading for us if we feel the older generation have stereotyped hate towards us.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Rob (6th Aug 2014 - 01:48:15) Dear concerned residents of Liphook, I would like to take this opportunity to address Mr Harper's statement and correct him on a few crucial details of which I can say with certainty as I was directly involved with the second date in question (Friday 25th July). I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sheer disappointment at some of the other posts in this conversation, regarding the blatant stereotyping of today's young people. By tarnishing the youths of today with the label 'Anti-social' you've alienating the young people of today. I must also stress the point that while I may fall into the category of a 'youth' I am not a vandal, drunk, violent, abusive individual or any other unjust stereotype that 'youths' have been labeled with. Right, first of all the basic facts. I do apologize in advance for the length of my reply. I feel a misjustice has been served. "At it again tonight, definately drinking, definately underage, and they have another fresh shopping trolley to destroy. It's 12 midnight !!" - Mr Harper (25th Jul 2014 23:58:44) "On Friday the kids had a sound system attached to their phone, they drank and banged out tunes at Max volume from 9:30 to 1am, waking everyone nearby. I called the police at 11:30 and the noise stopped 90mins later at 1am. The police did not arrive at all, in fact I have yet to see them appear on any occasion that myself or my neighbours called them." - Mr Harper (27th Jul 2014 13:47:46) On the night in question there was myself and a few close friends having a small celebratory drink to celebrate my birthday, which was a few days prior. We were drinking, yes, I will not dispute that fact but it was not blatant, nor troublesome in any way, shape or form. A drink or two were consumed and the relevant rubbish was disposed of in the bin located just outside of the entrance to the park. There was no underage drinking, bottle smashing, littering or antisocial behavior. In the earlier part of the evening we did have some music playing out of a mobile phone but that was silenced at 11 o'clock with the purpose of avoiding upset to the surrounding homes. Slightly ironic now, however we were mindful of those people nearby. As regards to the shopping trolley. On our way to the part we came across an abandoned shopping trolley of which, yes, we did use the trolley but purely for it's intended purpose, moving shopping from one location to another. This was with the intention of returning the trolley to sainsburys which we were later advised by the police not to do. At no time during the evening did any damage to the trolley occur nor any other trolley for that matter. At approximately 23:45 the police attended the skate park and after a pleasant conversation they decided to vacate the park and continue with their night. They informed us that someone had made a complaint about "Drunk kids smashing shopping trolleys in the skate park" and after a quick discussion they were more than satisfied that no "Drunken kids" were present, just sober young adults, and that no one was "smashing trolleys", they kindly asked us to make sure that we keep the noise to a minimum. Upon hearing that we had been supposedly upsetting people nearby we informed the officers that we will be changing location, letting them know where we'll be as to avoid there being a reason for them to have to return. We promptly left the park area just after midnight. CCTV: If the community feels there is a need for a CCTV system to be installed then we will welcome this as this will hopefully reassure you that we're not the 'antisocial youths' you seem to believe we are. Music: As someone suggested playing slightly older pop music, namely Val Doonican. This would surely cause more of a noise problem for the local residents? Furthermore, the majority of us have very varied tastes in music so we welcome this as well. High pitched alarms would be counterintuitive as they would upset the local homeowners. With dogs and other family pets becoming distraught at the deafening screeching these alarms supposedly produce. And finally, Mr Harper, please refrain from sharing your stereotypical views in an insulting manner towards young people ('youths') and parents in general. I hope this has helped to straighten things out. Rob If you would like to discuss this further, please email me at Rob9878262@gmail.com

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - wolfie smith (6th Aug 2014 - 12:32:30) Well done Rob! Great post. Amazing how this stuff gets exaggerated isn't it? Be nice to hear from Mr Harper? I was the guy saying go and talk to them. I posted some stuff about classical music and how it was used as a deterrent in Peckham. Which is a bit different to Liphook. No drug dealing gangs or shootings here. Can I ask you what you would like to see for young adults in Liphook? Maybe if enough people got together as previous posts we could fundraise/contribute to some 5 day a week youth club/cafe?

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - ellie (6th Aug 2014 - 13:29:35) Hi there I am pleased that the young people in question reply on here but would not be so complacent as to think drug dealing gangs are not in our area. I myself have witness youths "chasing the dragon" in Radford Park, and also see drug deals taking place. Admittedly people not roaming the streets in gangs, but drug dealers are here believe me. Anyone selling or giving any to a friend is a drug dealer. I recently bought a handbag from a charity in Haslemere, and found an ecstasy tablet hidden in the lining of the bag. We may be less violent but there is still drug use and abuse.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Basil (6th Aug 2014 - 19:18:16) We have called the police 3 times to complain about these very incident\\\'s. The police have advised to keep calling each time this happens so that they can log it to record a trend and possibly start patrols based on the information received. We have no tolerance for abuse of public grounds and disturbing the peace. We pay our council taxes etc. and work hard and honest and deserve peace and quiet after a days work. The problem seems that the youth have no values or principles by which to live by, one of them is consideration for other people. if the youth have nothing to do it is because they are not applying themselves to doing good things with their time e.g reading, listening to music, volunteering for charities etc.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Chris (6th Aug 2014 - 21:58:37) As I said in an earlier post, go and have a sensible conversation with them if it upsets you. We are a community and the young have a right to freedom and to enjoy themselves too! You must of had a very boring youth if you just stayed in doors and read. This place we live in isn't just for the old and miserable. The police don't see it as a threat and because they are young people it doesn't mean they are criminals. Talk to them if you have concerns don't just moan about them through here. Most people are decent people no matter what your age is. Come up with a solution for places for these youths and young adults to go to and be interested and relaxed. They don't all want to be in doors by 7 pm.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Jane (6th Aug 2014 - 22:41:54) Can't believe some of the stereotypes being portrayed here when it comes to 'the youth'! Basil says that the youth have no values or principles to live by but I disagree. I think our youth are probably the most informed generation for years. I have teenagers and therefore see a lot of them coming in and out of our house and almost without exception they are a great bunch of people. Of course there will always be rogues but they are the exception and not the rule. As for voluntary work, Bohunt School put 200 students (willingly!) through the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme this year alone. That equates to over 2,000 hours of voluntary work given to our community by our youth and this happens every year. The Cubs and Scouts have just carried out voluntary work in Radford Park clearing undergrowth. This deserves recognition in our community. What gets me is that when a group of youngsters get together for a few birthday drinks in a public place we call it antisocial behaviour. If a group of forty somethings has a boozy barbecue in the back garden and disrupts their neighbours that is slightly inconvenient and annoying but we wouldn't be calling the police and calling it antisocial behaviour. There isn't a lot to do for 16-19 year olds in Liphook and most of them are not old enough to socialise in pubs which is probably where most of us did our socialising at that age! I'd love to see a late night cafe for youngsters but actually why don't we ask them what they would like because maybe they'd think that was a terrible idea. Maybe actually a little more tolerance by 'the adults' would be more appropriate and as a previous poster said why don't we actually talk to them and politely tell them if there is a problem. If it was your neighbours noisy adult barbecue you would probably knock on their door and politely ask them to keep the noise down so why not treat the youth in the same way. I also feel that if you choose to buy a house near a public space such as the rec you must know that there is likely to be some noise and inconvenience from time to time. Bit like buying a house near an airport and then complaining about the amount of plane noise! And before anyone jumps down my throat, I am aware that there are some rogues who do actually break the law and cause more than just a nuisance and I hope the police catch up with them and I would urge anyone to contact the police in this case, but actually how lucky we are to live in such a peaceful place with a very low crime rate.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - DML (7th Aug 2014 - 00:14:18) Mountain and molehill are the words that spring to mind here. There's certainly a lot of provision for older people in Liphook, but I've lived in the village since before my children were born and they are 18 and 24 now, and I have never once heard them complain that Liphook is boring, or that they have nothing to do or nowhere to go. They're always busy and before anyone else says it - yes, I do always know where they are. Also, I have never encountered any anti-social behaviour in Liphook by young or old. Just a comment to the editor as I have quite a few pets - regarding this 'Mosquito' device you mention - animals are also very sensitive to high-pitches so I don't like the sound of that at all. It says on their website that 'Although dogs and small children have very acute hearing and are easily able to hear at this frequency, extensive testing shows that it does not appear to bother them when the Mosquito is set to the youth-only setting'. It all sounds a bit 'Big Brother' to me and slightly over the top.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Val (7th Aug 2014 - 09:36:09) I agree with a great deal of what Basil says and would like to say a word in support of the mature generation. We are not always moaning, the young are not alway behaving badly and I dislike stereotyping. There are good and bad in all walks of life and society. Good people do bad things and bad people do good things and that applies to all ages. I hate the cliche "when I was young", but sometimes it has to be said, particularly at the moment when it is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of The Great War. Hundreds of thousands of young men, the cream of British manhood, volunteered to go to The Front, little realising what they were letting themselves in for. Obviously I do not remember the First World War, but I do remember my parents talking about the Second World War and living in the aftermath with all its deprivations. Yet we were happy. We did not have fridges, freezers, television, washing machines, we had never heard of dishwasher or tumble driers, but we did have rationing. There was no internet, computers, mobile phones, designer clothes, I could go on. There were no "fast foods" instead we had home cooked meals and families ate together. We never had holidays abroad, there was never enough money for that, but we hired a car for two weeks and had good old caravan holidays and they were great. We went swimming, played tennis, cricket and football, joined the local amateur dramatic society, there were after school activities and holiday projects. We visited each other in our friends homes for a cup of coffee and a chat in the evenings, went for cycle rides during the day with a packet of sandwiches. As teenagers we did not go to pubs, it was not approved of by our parents and we didn't have any money anyway. As young adults we never ate out, instead we socialised in each others' houses and gave dinner parties. We had no money, but no one else did, and we were happy. I had an idyllic child and teenage hood and it wasn't because of what we had in the material sense or because there were facilities and entertainment; it was because we made the very best of what we did have. Friendship, the countryside, laughter and what is known is "joie de vivre". I felt the same atmosphere when I was on holiday in Portugal last year, a relatively poor country with high unemployment and in a very poor economic condition. In the evenings we would go for a walk and have a meal in the local Square. This Square was filled young people sitting on the steps of the town hall, drinking in bars, walking, laughing, talking. They reminded me of birds when they are roosting in the evening prior to bedtime communicating in the most wonderful way. There was no swearing, shouting, loud music or any anti social behaviour - it was just people of all ages enjoying each others' company. It can be done.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Richard (7th Aug 2014 - 09:56:32) Alex and Rob. I have recently moved to Liphook and I live in one of the new built houses right next to the skate park, I clearly remember this evening and whilst I can’t confirm many of the complaints levelled at your party that night I can say that the music was far too loud, and went on far too long past 11pm You woke my wife and my son up, and I heard the following day that you kept my neighbour’s family up till past 11. I respect you posting a reply in your defence on the site, but the volume level on the music was unacceptable, birthday party or not you should have toned it down by 9pm or found somewhere a further away from houses with kids sleeping. Maybe an apology for keeping your neighbours kids up well past their bedtimes might be in order rather than attempting to make light of how noisy and innocent you birthday party was. Richard

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Fred Splinge (7th Aug 2014 - 12:18:36) Thanks Val, my thoughts entirely. Fred

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Kevin Jackson (7th Aug 2014 - 15:06:34) Perhaps Wolfie Smith should read Val's posting and I would just say to Rob and Alex why don't youngsters celebrate their birthdays in each other's homes and gardens as Val said. Most neighbours don't mind the occasional party/gathering along as long as the music and noise doesn't go on too late. The problem with congregating at say the skate park or any other location that draws youngsters on a regular basis, is that the noise and disturbance is not occasional. I really feel for those living there, and it is very unfair for those who say that if you buy a house near a skate park or a recreation ground you must expect noise late into the night. You might as well extend that to Village halls, schools, shops, pubs etc etc. Do not blame the buildings or location blame those who abuse them and have absolutely no consideration for other people.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - wolfie smith (7th Aug 2014 - 22:19:38) Ellie? 'chasing the dragon?' Really? Heroin is being used in Radford Park? Kids are cooking and shooting up? I find that incredibly hard to believe.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - ellie (8th Aug 2014 - 01:05:07) yes I saw that and there is regular drug use paraphenalia found in the park. Do not forget the tragic story of the local drug addict who was found dead in Radford Park after living rough in the park in a tent pne winter. He took an overdose in the park I believe . He lived in Liphook and was a local person. Also in my opinion soft drug use is still illegal, and plenty of local pubs have been affected by drug dealers and police arepaying regular visits to local pubs in this regard. Do not forget there was recently a drugs factory run from a rented house in Hill House Hill and shut down by the police? I know of local pubs with signs, no drug. dealing, the signs are put up because there is a drug problem. Just because there are no drive by shootings does not mean people do not take drugs in Liphook. I also know local people who become hooked on anti depressants, just as bad because sometimes they have the opposite intended effect, and people are still hooked!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - lee (8th Aug 2014 - 12:29:08) Great posts Nicola,Z, Chris and Ellie There is incredible prejudice and ageist comments (on here) and actions that recently my children (young teenagers 14 and under) have been victims of from a few minority people in the older generation bracket. Instead of harking back to the “Good Old Days” why don’t you come up with some useful suggestions of what facilities you think Liphook provides for those children ages 12 plus......especially during the holidays. You have the experience, time(?), knowledge that could be a positive input into solving this. Many of you have grandchildren or not that long ago had teenagers and how would you entertain them in Liphook for 6-9 weeks ....and even during term times too? Liphook is a great little village for welcoming young families but it offers nothing once they turn 12/13. It is also great for the older generation too with an amazing array of sport clubs and U3A, crafts society , even the cinema film selection is biased and not on regularly during the summer! But there is a massive gap! Editor – Maybe the Youth section (Teen Activities might be nicer) could be a place where we could all post activities /sports clubs/job opportunities/concerts etc when (if?) we find them that might interest others? As Jane and Nicola said many children are struggling to find summer jobs and most these days do Duke of Edinburgh scheme (aged 14 upwards) and other charitable ventures but they need to have fun too; developing skills, new experiences, new friends and sporting opportunities etc. Our children are the most stressed in Europe/World due to so many pressures (you certainly didn’t have as much homework as they do now) so they need the summer holidays to recharge and relax ready for September. www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ The Tonight program last night was suggesting that we are “cotton wool parents” and don’t let our children out in the streets enough as we think it is unsafe, receive complaints(!) etc – whereas apparently it is safer now than 20 years ago - If us parents all put our children out in the streets on Monday can you imagine the feedback then on Talkback - we can' t win! Remember these are mainly children/teens from leafy Hampshire from either the National School of the Year or surrounding “Outstanding” OFSTED secondary schools or local independent schools so hardly the challenge that some areas have to deal with except maybe that ours are bright, high achievers that need stimulation and facilities. Also as Ellie states there is a drug problem in every village/town/city and certainly in Liphook – it would be very naïve to think otherwise. This can be from a 13 year old to someone in their 60s so isn’t age related. Certainly the drug addicts we have come across– 1 group in particular - were in their late 20’s/early 30s and were the bane of our lives ending up with a family member on anti-depressants(ironically) due to the trauma of several incidents and living in fear. This was certainly anti-social behaviour for years but all indoors! We too have a family in our neighbourhood in their 40s+ who like many a drink (we all do occasionally but its still a drug) as well as many friends to visit, play loud music, have many a row, cars coming and going at bizarre hours etc but its something you have to accept where you live and I can imagine it certainly is more of a regular nuisance than the skate park incidents. But we accept this because we won't let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel! And my point being it can be any age group that can be anti-social. So let's not this be a teenagers vs silver surfers war with us exhausted parents caught in between(trying to franctically juggle their activities outside of Liphook and keep everyone happy) and work together and please offer your services so that new workshops/clubs and facilities can be offered or represent the need at council level etc on our behalf. Petersfield and Haslemere have more available so let Liphook move with the times too! 2011 populations.. Petersfield 14,974 Haslemere 13,122 Liphook 6,480 We can not (and should not) expect the same level of facilities in Liphook, I'm afraid. With regard to the Youth section - it was created for the Youth Club, but you are all welcome to post events for any age group either as a TalkBack thread or just as an event.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - liz (8th Aug 2014 - 13:48:34) Liphook is not exactly isolated - reasonable train service to Haslemere and Petersfield. I know the trains are not particularly cheap but when I was younger parents used to take it in turns to drive us. - Then perhaps further afield when a bit older - Portsmouth or Guildford (by which time you are likely to have friends who can drive).

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Nicola (8th Aug 2014 - 14:57:53) With regards to your statistics Editor, There will always be a mix of ages in any village/town no matter the size of it populis. Just because we are half the size of Petersfield , that doesn't mean we should be providing services just for the elderly (for example) , what if our concentration was just on the youngsters?? It wouldn't be long before age discrimination was shouted from the rooftops . It works both ways ! You cannot provide services specifically for one group of the community and overlook everyone else, for example as a disabled resident , I would be discriminated against if I was denied access to the Train station for instance Oh wait.... Hi Nicola, just to clarify this website has no connection with the local council, nor how our money is spent. But with only half the population there is at best only half the money to be spent, unless we all agree to a 100% increase in our council tax - which is unlikely. I guess 'elderly' people are easier to please now, just as they/we were when they/we were younger.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - liz (8th Aug 2014 - 16:19:40) I would like to know how much is spent on the elderly by the PC compared to that spent on youngsters. Most facilities as far as I can see seem to be for everyone.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Dave L (8th Aug 2014 - 16:52:14) Just a comment, I drove through Send (nr Guildford) yesterday about the same size as Liphook possibly marginally smaller and was amazed at the play park and activities provision on offer, I am involved in purchasing and designing these as part of property development and know that the Local authority have not scrimped. we look at childhood obesity as a real problem yet prefer to pump money into the health service rather than be pro-active, play promotes health, a good activities area does help. the skate park is poor and if I was younger I would think that 'if that is the limit of investment I might have slight anti-social tendencies'!. Liphook is becoming a retirement village we all know and accept this but I believe that both can interact in a positive manner, there are decent safe areas for walking and relaxing (Radford Park springs to mind) but the gated fort behind it does not send the right message for community living and hopefully wont be the blueprint going forward.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Basil (13th Aug 2014 - 20:37:08) Thanks to Val and mature company for your understanding. As a youngster I climbed trees,played in the open doors.At a certain time it was time to go home out of RESPECT for my parents and my community. Parents those days were totally responsible for teaching their children MANNERS towards society. I question why the birthday individual was not celebrating at home with family? Why did his parents not choose to hold his birthday party at their home? I am not family to be disturbed in my surroundings especially when I have done an honest days work and I am ENTITLED to my PEACE & QUIET. I have no objection to youth gathering in the park up to 10 pm and I do not support foul language.Its in poor taste to speak like that and degrading to ones confidence. As to what kind of person I am..I have served in the military, the corrections,relief work in countries abroad,had a few businesses,travelled extensively,respected in the care community and standing firm in my rights for a peaceful life. Understand the issue , solve it through strong community support and make great characters for the future. Technology does not contribute to character building but promotes anti social behaviour. In my travels in Europe I found the youth respectful and self disciplined and mature in their conduct. I believe everything is possible for a good result within reason. Sincerely Basil

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Irene & Russ Ellis (14th Aug 2014 - 12:07:28) So what do the elderly have that the youth do not? Well we have U3A run by volunteers. All the clubs attached to the U3A run by volunteers. Day Centre which although have some staff would not exist without Volunteers. Lunch club run by Volunteers. Volunteer cars to take people to Hospitals etc run by volunteers. The Liphook Carers group run by volunteers to help people in need. Liphook in Bloom started because a few people wanted to make the village we live in a nicer place so became volunteers to do the work. None of these things are anything to do with the PC although they do give grants for certain projects. They all raise their own funds and enjoy doing it. What I am trying to say is if you feel passionate enough to provide things for the youth to do find out what exactly they want and then form a group of parents and volunteers to make it happen. You cannot expect the PC or older generation to do it. They have had their children and most have us in the past have volunteered to run clubs etc for our children. If you all get together, parents and children, with a plan there are lots of ways to raise money which can be fun and lots of grants to be had. Now I guess you are going to say you are to busy but believe me you can be just as busy when you are an OAP it just a matter of how you prioritize your lives. We are only Youths for a couple of years or so but Old Age can begin and 50 and go on for many, many years therefore it is only parents and families that can run clubs etc for your children. Young peoples needs change year by year. How about some of the youths getting together and building a float for the carnival in October. Doesn’t have to be fantastic but they could have a lot of fun designing it building it, sorting dressing up clothes for it and then having brilliant time being in the carnival. I am sure there are some parents with a place to build it and with a little bit of foraging could find the material for free or reasonable cheap and by doing this they would be supporting the village they live in. With a little bit of thought from both sides I am sure there are many things to do apart from hanging round the village. One last thing I know Haslemere & Petersfield have a swimming pool, which is paid for with the rates but I do not think anyone would spend every day and evening there even if they could afford it.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - S (14th Aug 2014 - 17:20:01) Old age begins at 50!!! I have read some ridiculous things on here, but nearly choked on my tea when i read that!! One thing is never going to change, and that is - no matter what facilities are provided, sometimes teenagers and young adults are going to want to be on their own, unsupervised and free. I think what we really need is a healthy dose of tolerance, remembering that we were all that age once and sought our freedom and independence in one way or another. The next thing is dialogue - many of these social issues could certainly be addressed by simply reaching out and explaining your position - a non-judgmental explanatory poster at the skate park if no one wants to approach the youths in question? I really think you would find that the majority of the 'troublemakers' have just not thought about or realised that people live that nearby and have to listen to the noise so very often. Of course there are always people who would continue being disruptive regardless, but I honestly believe that most of the young people are quite reasonable and not the monsters some people are making them out to be. A bit of empathy on both sides could surely lessen the issue.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Jane (14th Aug 2014 - 17:43:06) Well said S, couldn't have put it better myself!!!

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Richard (15th Aug 2014 - 00:30:31) S, The key failing in your statement is "Of course there are always people who would continue being disruptive regardless" That's what this post is all about! those disruptive individuals have decided that the skatepark late at night is the place for the disruption to take place. As such some of liphooks community are suffering, not all, but those close to the skatepark. Saying we were all young once, or we need better facilities (which wouldn't be open at 11pm let alone allow kids to drink) isnt solving any of the key problem. Many of you are beating about the bush, or watering it all down by suggesting those that have complained are somehow anti youth, we're not, the 6 & 8 year old youths sleeping under my roof don't need to hear the language or be kept up till 12am by the minority whom "do continue being disruptive regardless"

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - liz (15th Aug 2014 - 08:39:11) Irene and Russ Ellis make their points very well. As I had suspected the majority of the facilities for the elderly are run by volunteers. There is a message there for those who believe that not enough 'facilities' are provided for young people. Also I don't believe it is true that Liphook is becoming a retirement town/village. Even more of a commuter town possibly - which means more families who hopefully will become involved in the community.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Peter.R (15th Aug 2014 - 09:46:25) I suspect that those whose postings that maunder on about the lack of facilities for the young do not live anywhere near the skate park, nor do these posters actually do anything about the lack of facilities for youngsters in a positive way. Richard is on the spot in his posting. No one is demonising youngsters of which the majority, I am sure, are responsible and considerate. As Richard points out it is the disruptive few that cause the problems and the fact that they are disruptive is not necessarily due to “lack of facilities”. More likely to be due to inadequate parenting and by that I mean they have more than likely been brought up not to have consideration for others or to have any respect for people or property – otherwise they would not behave as they do. I have every sympathy with Mr Harper, Richard and all those at present affected by this unacceptable behaviour. With regard to the post by Wolfie Smith trying to goad Mr Harper into again entering into the thread and the poster who implied that people should not buy a property near a skate park I treat those posts with the contempt they deserve. Mr Harper has made his point and over-statement ever detracts. I admire him for his dignified silence.

Re: Another night of anti-social behaviour at the skate park!! - Editor (22nd Aug 2014 - 13:23:58) Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Hayes, is seeking views from the public to help him in developing a menu of Community Remedy sanctions for low level crimes. The introduction of Community Remedy (Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014), introduced by HM Government, is designed to provide more effective measures to deal with lower level crimes through out of court settlements. www.hampshire-pcc.gov.uk/... What goes on the Community Remedy menu in a specific area will depend on the results of the survey. The public consultation will run online on the Commissioner’s website: www.surveymonkey.com/s/79VL3XNcommunityremedy which will run until Sunday, September 14.

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