Crime Questions Dominate Cheriton and Morehall Residents Association Meeting

12.00.00am GMT Wed 1st Aug 2007

A packed residents association meeting in Cheriton discussed escalating anti-social behaviour in Cheriton and allowed local residents to quiz police and Councillors.

The meeting on the North Cheriton Residents Association at the St Martins Church Hall in Narrabeen Road on 25 July was attended by 90 concerned residents and councillors who fired questions at Inspector Ivan Pickering. Cheriton and Morehall Lib Dem Councillors Peter Carroll, Peter Gane, Dhan Gurung and Tim Prater were all at the meeting to face questions and listen to local residents.

It followed months of worsening street crime that has seen a brick thrown through an elderly lady's bedroom window and one man given a broken nose. One youth was arrested outside the hall in Narrabeen Road for an assault, just before the talks began.

Chairman of the Cheriton Residents' Association David Springett outlined some of the problems faced by local residents. He said:

"Just outside this meeting tonight, a young lad was arrested for an assault he had committed. And just the other day, an elderly lady I know, who shall remain nameless, was scared to death after she had a brick thrown through her bedroom window."

Police pledge a crack-down on anti-social behaviour across Cheriton and Morehall in the next few weeks, with dedicated Cheriton support officers now in place. Proposals made by residents and Inspector Pickering included the creation of a local youth club, motocross activities and the installation of surveillance cameras.

Inspector Pickering, who grew up in Cheriton, said: "I have only been in this position for a few days now but I can assure Cheriton residents that I want to sort this situation out just as much as anyone else."