following on from kids smoking in the park. calling 101

[monkeysbignuts]

we took our 5 & 3 year old to the local park only to be intimidated by 20+ teenagers ranging from 14-17, smoking, drinking and swearing.
they were throwing swings around to try and wrap them up and yanking at the bouncing bike thing.
me and my husband felt very intimidated and sadly for our kids only lasted 15/20 minutes max.
On getting home I called 101 and gave all the details to the police who said they would send someone round. It was at 6pm and I didn't have my mobile on me otherwise would have done it there and then.
so was ibu or should they find somewhere else to congregate other than a small children's play area?

[bureni]

Just curious but what is 101, who does that number get you in contact with?

[Sirzy]

101 is the non emergency number

And I would have done the same. Anyone can use the park but they shouldn't stop others being able to

[monkeysbignuts]

I feel sorry for teens having no where to go, but I think a child's play area as stipulated on the notice board is for kids under 10 only.
wonder if the police went out?!

[Whitecherry]

Were they drunk?

[monkeysbignuts]

oh yes. they smelt like a bottle of vodka!

[Pippa6774]

Under 10? so kids of 10 and 11 are deemed to old for playgrounds are they

[RobynRidingHood]

Sadly there are few places for teenagers to congregate, thus they end up in the play parks.

[monkeysbignuts]

pippa this particular park yes they are. how ever less than a minute up the hill is a teenager part with one of those big round swings and the high round abouts with seats on.
I sometimes wonder if they would still congregate in the park even if a place was set up for them. you can't smoke and drink in an under 18's club but in a park if no one reports it etc you can?