Vandalism or anti-social behaviour, whatever people like to call it has always been a problem in Armagh. However, most would agree that with the increase in drug abuse that the level of vandalism and the destructiveness of those involved has sadly increased.
Over the years different locations have come to the fore and the residents living in these areas have borne the brunt of the activities of young people high on drink, drugs and more increasingly now both. Areas like ‘the tunnel’, ‘college field’, ‘Callan River Footbridge’ are but three to mention. Added to this list has to be Sherry’s Field Sports Complex where for several years now there has been an ongoing problem with vandalism and general anti-social behaviour. This has steadily grown to the extent now where local residents are literally at their wits end over it. Weekend parties lasting into the early hours, underage drinking, drug taking and drug sellers, destruction of property, increased noise levels and physical attacks are a regular fact of life in this area.
To combat this local resident representatives and political representatives have come together to see what can be done. A number of meetings with the local council, PCSP and the PSNI have been held at which a series of proposals aimed at combating this weekly onslaught on the community have been put forward. These include increased street lighting, improved fencing, additional CCTV, better reporting of incidents either through the 101 number of Crimestoppers 0800 555 111, increased police patrols.
What has clearly emerged is that this problem is one that cannot be solved without a combined approach by the community, statutory bodies and police authority. For the local residents of Callan St, Convent Road, Cathedral Road, Edward Street and people who use the community facilities at Sherrys Field, a solution cannot come quickly enough.
