POLICE are tackling reports of noise and bad behaviour by youngsters at Rue des Marais. But a senior officer said she believed any problems on the Grand Bouet estate, which opened in March 2005, had been exaggerated.
In a recent Guernsey Press article, some residents claimed they were living in fear of gangs of young thugs.
They said that bins were being set alight, rocks thrown at windows, letterboxes smashed, road signs destroyed and one elderly woman had been punched in the face.
But according to Sergeant Jane Henaghen, who deals with the estate, the situation is not that bad and some of the youths involved were not from the area.
Some people have painted a picture of what has been going on, she said, but that is a minority view.
‘There have been some issues, but it’s not a serious nuisance. We’re doing more high-visible policing with more of the old-fashioned bobbies on the beat.’
Sgt Henaghen added that youths from outside the estate had congregated there, but that police had spoken to them and found no problems.
‘It’s not tenants’ kids, but kids from outside the estate. It was nothing criminal, just kids talking to each other.
‘They weren’t being abusive, just groups of kids hanging out. Most of them were fine, but some of the older ones were more of a problem. They aren’t sitting there drinking but it does have an impact on the residents,’ said Sgt Henaghen.
Housing Association chief executive Steve Williams echoed the sentiments. ‘It doesn’t reflect the estate,’ he said.
‘It’s a well managed and well policed estate. It’s not a big issue here. It’s a handful of kids who move around the island.’
A meeting with the residents was organised a couple of weeks ago to discuss the issue.
Only 14 of the 82 households there turned up. Despite the low attendance, Mr Williams, who was there, said some positives had been taken away.
‘It gave us a flavour of what’s going on,’ he said. ‘We’re taking it seriously, but we want some sense of proportion on the issue. A lot of people like living here.
‘We’d like the area to be lifted in terms of reputation as we’re investing a lot of money in the redevelopment.’
Mr Williams added that another issue being addressed was parking after complaints of vehicles clogging up the access. The land could be declared terre a l’amende.
Again the problem is thought not to have been caused by residents.
‘Other people have been parking in the estate. We’re addressing that,’ said Mr Williams.
‘We’ve written to all the 82 households and the feedback has been positive.’
Article posted on 1st October, 2007 - 12.00am
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