Market town fears street gangs

by Zoe Gough
BBC News Online, Shropshire

Crime is low in picturesque Shropshire, according to the latest figure. But residents say gangs of youths and drug addicts are making people fearful.

Castlefields, in Shrewsbury, is 'quiet and friendly'

As an idyllic market town nestling in the heart of the countryside, Shrewsbury appears an unlikely target for criminals.

Police say there is much for residents to cheer with the town boasting some of the best crime and detection rates in the country.

But is this reflected by the feelings of the people living there?

BBC News Online spoke to residents living in the Castlefields estate about their thoughts on crime.

Pensioner Beryl Davies says she is terrified by drug addicts she believes are living nearby.

I don't come out at night, you can't walk about, I'm too frightened of being attacked Beryl Davies, 73

"I don't come out at night, you can't walk about, I'm too frightened of being attacked," the 73-year-old says.

Local shop worker, Sylvia Chatham, 53, says she was attacked by a customer brandishing a bottle of milk after she asked her to stop smoking in the shop.

"The problem is young adults, drink and drugs. They can get hold of them too easily."

She says there is a lack of respect for the police and feels they are not seen enough.

"When I was little beat bobbies knew everybody and if you were caught out doing something they'd tell your dad."

'Baddies protected'

While personal safety is a concern for some, others say they fear for vulnerable members of the community.

Mother of two Maxine McMinn, 35, says she does not let her children play on the streets.

"The things I saw when I worked with the homeless don't help but I'm also afraid of paedophiles, they are all over the place."

She adds she has little confidence in the court system: "I think the baddies are protected more than the victims."

And Mark Hess, 26, says national newspaper reports about muggings and other serious crimes increase his fears for his mother and grandmother.

Better than most

However, many residents say there is nothing to worry about in the town, especially when compared to other places.

Eighteen-year-old Michelle Metcalfe says she loves living in Castlefields after leaving her home city of Liverpool because of soaring crime rates.

"It's quieter and friendlier. I haven't seen many police officers here but I think that means there isn't any trouble," she says.

I feel safe, I have lived here for about 11 years, there's a lot worse places to live Gareth Mawde, 41

And Gareth Mawde, 41, says he does not think the area has many problems even though he says he once had his car stolen.

"I feel safe, I have lived here for about 11 years, there's a lot worse places to live," he says.

Shrewsbury Chief Inspector, Martin Whitelegg, agrees so-called "quality of life issues" are the real problems for Castlefields residents.

He says the police are taking steps to deal with many of the concerns but says people often believe there is more serious crime happening than actually is.

He says: "Youths on the street is a real problem in Shrewsbury but if this is what people are telling us is the biggest problem, then crime is not as rife as some people perceive.

"In some ways that is good to hear."