Give us shovels and we'll dig our own bike track.
That's the message from teenagers in Old Heath, Colchester, who claim there is nothing for them to do.
Youngsters who turned up to Old Heath Residents' Association meeting last night told other residents they would like an off-road bike track where they could ride without annoying other people and they were prepared to help make it themselves.
Top of the agenda at the meeting was the problem of vandalism, which is blighting residents' lives. it was claimed.
Dave Smith, chairman of the residents' association, said: "It looks like an absolute tip.
"They're not going to give money to an area that looks like an inner-city slum. A minority are spoiling it for the majority."
Residents have been beset by vandalism, especially in Cheveling Road, and dumped rubbish, particularly in Foresight Road.
Community street warden Paul Cansdale said there have been problems with stones being thrown into windows, damage to cars and gates being removed and used as bike ramps.
He is trying to arrange a football tournament in September, to give youngsters something to do.
Residents also said they were concerned about abandoned cars, which can be dangerous if they are damaged or their windows smashed.
Beat officer PC Ryan Whitear said this year police have dealt with 15 cases of nuisance youths in Old Heath, with nine of them relating to an address in Cheveling Road.
He called on the public to report any instances of criminal damage or vandalism.
Published Tuesday, April 15, 2003
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