'Out-of-control kids terrorising our town

PEOPLE are divided on the future of a Merseyside town under threat from gangs of 'feral kids'.

- By JAMIE GREER

Church Street in St Helens town centre

Last Tuesday, Pop Up Market Co, which has held markets in Church Square, St Helens town centre, and in Earlestown over the last year, said it would not be returning to either location due to antisocial behaviour having a “real impact” on trade.

However, the council denied these claims. That night, a gang of youths targeted The Range store on Chalon Way West. After being refused entry, they tried to force their way in.

The ECHO visited the town centre after these reports to speak to local residents about the issue.

Paul Bemaman, 58, and his neighbour Bernard Ledwith, 77, said the biggest issue facing St Helens was the state of the town centre.

Paul said: “I don’t come into town as much and I guess it’s because of that (antisocial behaviour). But it’s also because of town generally, there’s not much to do here.”

Bernard added: “St Helens used to be lovely and there were lots of things to do but there’s not as much to do now. We live in town and we don’t come in that much.”

However, one woman, who asked not to be named, said large groups of youths often come into the town centre after 5pm and verbally abuse others.

A local dad, who also asked not to be named, said he had witnessed the trouble at The Range. He saw the youths “terrorising” staff, trying to enter the store through the emergency doors and setting off the fire alarms.

The article generated a lot of debate on the ECHO’s St Helens Live Facebook page and in the comment section of the article.

Some readers also felt the town was suffering from antisocial behaviour. Monika Dabrowska said: “I live not far from St Helens. There’s always some trouble on the high street, groups of youngsters hanging about, causing a nuisance. I only drop my daughter to air cadets, and go to Specsavers once a year, and there’s always a police car around.”