RESIDENTS have asked for improved safety measures at a play area following an increase in anti-social behaviour.

In a letter to Norton Town Council, people living near Burdale Close, Norton, said they were experiencing an increase in abuse of the nearby play area with youths playing football and hitting balls against the boundary fence bordering private properties.

“The swings and play equipment are also suffering abuse and damage leaving them unfit to use for smaller children,” the letter said.

“The offenders are also loosing balls into our gardens and they are then taking it on themselves to climb the fence and trespass whenever they feel like to retrieve the balls. If they are challenged what follows is the usual abuse and foul language. The situation has got so bad that we have actually ended up calling the police and getting them involved.”

Signs to restrict the age of users of the play area are in place along with signs saying “no ball games”. Another sign indicates that the area should be left by dusk or 8pm, whichever occurs first. However, the letter said these were not very large or clear to read.

The letter adds: “A lot of the residents in the area are elderly and a lot on their own. One of these is actually too frightened to set foot outside her property when any incidents occurs. Should a ball actually hit an elderly person then personal injury could occur which is greater for them.”

The council was asked if more visible and larger signs could be put up, along with hedging alongside the fence to deter attempts to climb it.

“Your garden should be a safe haven to sit out in and enjoy and this has been far from the truth,” the letter said. “There is also dread on returning home and facing possible damage and even worse an injure youth who has decided to trespass for the sake of a ball.”

Councillor Ray King, mayor of Norton, said the council sympathised with the residents’ concerns.

“The council will investigate the signage and in the meantime we would urge anyone who is experiencing problems to contact the police so that they are aware of the incidents can build up a file,” he said.