Birkenhead becomes 'Beirut of the north' - 3rd Nov 2014 9:59am
Frank Field declares war on yob culture as parts of Birkenhead become 'Beirut of the north'
BIRKENHEAD has become the "Beirut of the north", says Frank Field as he declares war on the yob culture that he says is destroying the town.
Speaking to the Globe today, the town’s MP said it was time the system favoured decent people instead of “yobs”.
“This is my top priority and will continue to be so until we are on top of this,” said Mr Field, who is working closely with Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies to urge those responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour to “up their game significantly” after a series of violent incidents reported in the Globe.
“We want to return Birkenhead to what it was and reverse it from becoming Beirut because that’s what we have got in places.”
His promise comes as figures publishes by Birkenhead Constituency Committee reveal that more than 8,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported between April 1, 2013 and September 18 this year.
One of the most severe happened in March when a gang of up to 30 youths viciously assaulted a Birkenhead dad as he tried to stop them vandalising cars.
Barry Walsh was returning from visiting friends when he was set upon the gang as he walked through Mersey Park.
The 41-year-old from Rock Ferry had seen the group smashing a nearby parked car and told them to stop.
But the group followed him and began hitting him with sticks and metal bars.
Police vowed to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in May after a gang of youths launched bricks and stones at residents of Penrith Street.
Families on the Tranmere and Rock Ferry boundary have flooded the authorities with complaints about gangs terrorising their streets – which has seen car windows and wing mirrors smashed, as well as eggs thrown at homes.
Former ward councillor Brian Kenny said at the time that homeowners were living in fear each night at what they described as “gangs of youths” terrorising the streets between Mersey Park and Victoria Park.
Mr Field added: “It’s so distressing the stories that are coming in. They are decent people who pay their taxes and the yob culture is winning. We have got to make sure the yob culture is beaten as soon as possible.”
The influential MP said he had spoken to one Birkenhead resident who had been complaining for eight and a half years about anti social behaviour in her area.
“At the end of the day, I’m wondering whether it’s worth providing information to the police when nothing happens,” said Mr Field, who is currently looking at how housing associations, the police and fire brigade use their budgets to tackle antisocial behaviour.
“We are running a system that works for the yobs, we want a system that works for decent people.”
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BIRKENHEAD has become the "Beirut of the north", says Frank Field as he declares war on the yob culture that he says is destroying the town.
Speaking to the Globe today, the town’s MP said it was time the system favoured decent people instead of “yobs”.
“This is my top priority and will continue to be so until we are on top of this,” said Mr Field, who is working closely with Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies to urge those responsible for tackling anti-social behaviour to “up their game significantly” after a series of violent incidents reported in the Globe.
“We want to return Birkenhead to what it was and reverse it from becoming Beirut because that’s what we have got in places.”
His promise comes as figures publishes by Birkenhead Constituency Committee reveal that more than 8,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported between April 1, 2013 and September 18 this year.
One of the most severe happened in March when a gang of up to 30 youths viciously assaulted a Birkenhead dad as he tried to stop them vandalising cars.
Barry Walsh was returning from visiting friends when he was set upon the gang as he walked through Mersey Park.
The 41-year-old from Rock Ferry had seen the group smashing a nearby parked car and told them to stop.
But the group followed him and began hitting him with sticks and metal bars.
Police vowed to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in May after a gang of youths launched bricks and stones at residents of Penrith Street.
Families on the Tranmere and Rock Ferry boundary have flooded the authorities with complaints about gangs terrorising their streets – which has seen car windows and wing mirrors smashed, as well as eggs thrown at homes.
Former ward councillor Brian Kenny said at the time that homeowners were living in fear each night at what they described as “gangs of youths” terrorising the streets between Mersey Park and Victoria Park.
Mr Field added: “It’s so distressing the stories that are coming in. They are decent people who pay their taxes and the yob culture is winning. We have got to make sure the yob culture is beaten as soon as possible.”
The influential MP said he had spoken to one Birkenhead resident who had been complaining for eight and a half years about anti social behaviour in her area.
“At the end of the day, I’m wondering whether it’s worth providing information to the police when nothing happens,” said Mr Field, who is currently looking at how housing associations, the police and fire brigade use their budgets to tackle antisocial behaviour.
“We are running a system that works for the yobs, we want a system that works for decent people.”
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