Parliamentary Candidate Terry Scriven speaking at the meeting

I attended the recent community meeting, which was attended by close on two hundred residents, the police and by local Parish and District Councillors. 

It was sad to listen to the comments of those present and to realise this was a New Forest constituency village in Hampshire.  Residents gave examples of under-aged drinking, out of control gangs involved in anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.  Bullying at local schools and harassment of youth organisations. A slow police response and presence.  As one resident put it, “the majority of our teenagers are good people but a small minority are causing these problems and basically they are bored.  Cure the boredom and you will solve the crime”.  

These are not new issues. I have written previously about the inadequacy of being policed by three different groups of uniformed people, the decline of policing in communities at a time when anti-social behaviour and underage drinking is on the increase together with a need for more action.  We are paying more for less and that is certainly the case in Fawley and many other villages across the Forest.  This is not the Chief Constable’s fault and our policemen and women are doing their best for us.    As Chief Superintendent Ann Wakefield said to me on a previous interview, “police figures for anti social behaviour can only be assessed on the number of calls received”. My assessment of that is fewer calls equals fewer police, fewer police equals fewer calls by the public due to a slow response despite the rise in anti-social behaviour.  Her hands are tied.

Local residents I spoke to at the meeting accepted that they have a responsibility to control their young ones but there are a number of parents who need help. There is also little doubt the lack of facilities in and around Fawley is a major problem.

Despite the oil refinery, Fawley and the surrounding area is a good place to live being on the edge of the New Forest and with an idyllic coastline close by. Fortunately, it is not too late for this village, after the meeting residents formed an action group, which is to be led by Councillor Kate Lord.  I have offered to give whatever assistance I can.  However, residents can only do so much and will need help. The police have increased patrols and it is understood the District Council are to review the situation at one of their meetings shortly.

Prevention is far cheaper than dealing with problems once they have occurred.  We have to reclaim our streets and ensure we provide amenities and a quality of life for everyone, and not allow a small minority to get away with yobbish behaviour.   What happens to Fawley matters to you, as your village could be next?