Call for area to be secured after person defecates in play park

COUNCIL has confirmed that it is reviewing antisocial measures at the new play park in Sion Mills after someone defecated in the grounds of the facility.

Just recently opened, there have also been reported of stone throwing, verbal abuse and loud music being played at unsociable hours.

Part of the problem, it has been suggested, is that the area is not secured at night and moreover, its surrounding fence is not high enough.

“It’s about young people congregating in the area,” Sion man, Andy Patton explained. “Someone had defecated behind one of the seats but the whole thing about that is, it’s improper and diabolical that someone would actually do that.

“My appeal would be to any young person who is using that park, remember who they are and have a bit of sense.”

He continued, “If you’ve someone defecating in the play park, that could have been done at any time of the day or night. But if the facility was secured ay night and it had a higher fence, that would certainly discourage antisocial behaviour.”

Local SDLP councillor Steven Edwards agrees. He says he has recently contacted the PSNI and Derry City and Strabane District Council to see what can be done to ameliorate the situation.

“This is a new play park for children’s enjoyment and should not be used as a gathering ground for antisocial behaviour nor used as a platform to torment local residents who are disturbed by the late noise, attacks on their homes and abuse received for challenging them,” Cllr Edwards said. “While I understand our young people need more in terms of facilities, and I am working on that; they also need to respect residents in the local area many of whom are older or have young families.”

When contacted about the current situation, a spokesperson for council said it is reviewing a number of measures to combat the problem and appealed to young people to consider the outcomes of their actions on the local community. They also appealed to the public to report any incidents of antisocial behaviour or vandalism they witness to the PSNI or to Community Safety Wardens, who have increased their patrols of the area.