RESIDENTS and business owners in Winklebury have raised concerns about a perceived rise anti-social behaviour including drug dealing and substance abuse.

In the past three weeks residents have told The Gazette that a large group of young people have been gathering on the green in Watson Way, drinking, littering, damaging signs and intimidating people as they walk past.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said they had seen someone they believe to be as young as 10 smoking cannabis in front of the parade of shops.

He said: “There are a lot of elderly people who live in the area and it is intimidating walking past a group who are loud, drinking and shouting things at you as you walk past.

“There is a gentleman who I see almost every day and he has told me that it petrifies him.”

Another resident added: “Our house backs on to one of the alleyways, and there have been times late at night where you can just hear them being really loud.

“There are families around here who have young children, so I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for them.”

As well as reports of anti-social behaviour, there have also been reports of low-level drug deals.

Winklebury ward councillor Angie Freeman said: “We are aware of low level drugs deals and we are working with the PCSOs who do their best on the stretched resources.

“A lot of this comes down to young people in the area not having anything to do.

“I understand how a large group of young people can be intimidating to some people, and we are working to make a parental awareness group in Winklebury as well as working with the youth provision group to make more things available, especially for teenagers in the area.

“This is one of my high priorities, to talk to the youth provision team and see what we can do.”

Cllr Freeman believes part of the problem are the stereotypes surrounding young people which she feels need to be broken.

Cllr Freeman added: “We need to see how we can change people’s attitudes as a community, as most of the young people in the area are harmless.”