A COUNCILLOR has described an outbreak of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in Earlestown town centre as “very frustrating”.
Planters in the market square area, which had been put in place by children from the Newton-le-Willows-based Business for Youth charity, had been turned over several times by youths.
Similar gangs have also been causing issues near to Home Bargains and Tesco.
Newton-le-Willows West independent councillor Terry Maguire described the incidents as “very disheartening” and “upsetting” for the children who planted them.
Meanwhile, market stalls have been smashed, Cllr Maguire adds, and that there has been a spate of shoplifting cases, begging and harassment and intimidation of the elderly.
Cllr Terry Maguire said: “It is indeed very frustrating. Last summer the children from Business For Youth Junior Gardening club planted all the Earlestown planters and had a lovely display throughout the summer, tending to them as needed.
“In October the group did the same through some CIF funding, they purchased and planted winter flowers with a baby conifer in the middle of each pot, sadly within no time the conifers were stolen.
“Over the next couple of months many of the plants were taken up, stolen or displaced. The group updated the plants as they could.
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“In Earlestown we have had some ASB issues through a group of children that hang around Tesco, Home Bargains and the Market Square.
“It was very sad to see the group turn their attention to the flower beds over the last couple of weeks and for whatever reason have started tipping them over.
“This is so very disheartening and upsetting for the children of BFY who planted them.
“It also shows a complete lack of disrespect for our town shown by the youngsters that have been caught on CCTV four times this week alone carrying out such an awful act."
“Last Saturday (January 14) the BFY children replanted them again, only to find another tipped over last night. Cllr (Karl) Collier retrieved that one and has been extremely helpful in providing soil and refilling the planters.
Cllr Maguire added: “The happenings are quite concerning in Earlestown at the moment, market stalls smashed, a spate of shoplifting, begging for money, harassing and intimidating elderly in doing so.
“I have spoken with the police and the council’s Safer Communities. They already have names of suspected offenders and have promised more vigilance which is desperately needed. We shouldn’t need to get media exposure to have actions taken but thankfully a media campaign has brought this to the attention of many.
“Cllr Collier and I call upon the community to work together and watch out for any of these offences happening.
“Earlestown Police Station is open daily to report any issues.”
A Merseyside Police spokeswoman said recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in Earlestown had been reported to them.
A police statement issued on Sunday said: "After recent reports of anti-social behaviour around the Earlestown area, Team 3 have been out and about this weekend and extra patrols will continue.
"A number of people spend their time and money making the area look nice, please make sure your children aren't the ones destroying it."
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