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Sway residents demand action as youths stone house and car on Kitchers Close with police attending




SWAY residents are demanding action after the village was again targeted by a gang of youths.

Police were called last weekend after reports large stones were being thrown at a house and car on Kitchers Close.

Other residents said they also saw vandalism and other anti-social behaviour by the gang, who have been causing trouble in the village since the end of 2023.

On Saturday night one resident posted a warning online to others, saying: “Be aware. Yobbos around Kitchers Close tonight. In alleyways to Stanford Rise and Bond Close. Shouting abuse. Throwing things.”

Another said: “Sadly they elevated things to throwing large stones at cars last night. Quite a lot of damage. Something needs to be done.”

Angry villagers are now demanding police step up patrols in the village, with one saying: “We need action, and we need it now.” Another added: “Something has to be done and soon. I live opposite Jubilee Field where they run riot most nights in the summer.

“Randomly in winter. Broken bottles on the football pitch, rubbish strewn everywhere. Motorbikes and cars screaming round the car park. Pretty obvious drug use/dealing.”

Hampshire police confirmed they had been called to an incident on Saturday night: “Officers attended the address, and damage was confirmed to a vehicle parked at the property.

“Follow-up enquiries have been carried out in the local area and proactive patrols will continue as part of officers’ efforts to reassure the community and prevent further incidents.

“We would urge anyone who witnessed the incident itself, or anyone who saw anything suspicious at that time, to get in touch with us.

“If you recall seeing anything, or have any footage of the incident, including doorbell camera, dash cam or CCTV, please call 101 and quote incident number 44250037297.

“If you have also experienced any damage to your property, but are still yet to report this to us, please do so at the earliest opportunity by calling 101 or reporting it online at hampshire.police.uk

“People should always call 999 if a crime is in progress, including ongoing criminal damage to property.”

Sway Parish Council has also been looking at ways to tackle anti-social behaviour in the village. It has launched a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Sway and is also in talks with the police about setting up a mobile police station at the youth centre.

Cllr Helen Schneider told residents: “Please be assured that the parish council have been liaising closely with the police as well as a charity that specialises in working with disengaged youth.

“The key is to keep reporting incidents to the police. When we first spoke to them last year, they said there were no reports of anti-social behaviour in Sway and hence they couldn't mobilise resources to address the problem. This has now changed thanks to regular reporting and engagement.”

Cllr Peter Dance warned residents not to tackle the youths themselves: “With all this talk of knife crime these days I would urge everyone not to try and do this but instead to report any anti-social behaviour, or crimes to the police.”



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