Residents 'scared to leave homes', council hears

Residents are afraid to leave their homes as anti-social behaviour continues to blight the area, a council meeting has heard.

Reform UK presented a motion to Newcastle City Council saying people in Blakelaw and Cowgate were facing "serious harm", with fires being set, emergency workers attacked and buses being withdrawn at night.

However, a Green Party amendment widening the scope of the motion to include the entire city was passed unanimously.

The council's deputy leader, Mark Mitchell of the Liberal Democrats, said it was investing in tackling anti-social behaviour, adding: "It doesn't matter whether it's Blakelaw or Walker, we want to move the city forward."

Issues in Blakelaw led to local bus operator Stagecoach withdrawing services due to fears the area was no longer safe for drivers and passengers after they were attacked "with bricks".

Speaking at Wednesday's meeting, Reform councillor Irene Turnbull said: "Residents are frightened to leave their homes."

The meeting was told one family home was targeted by youths, who were kicking the doors and "ramming scooters against the door".

"Police presence has increased and residents know how to report issues, but problems persist," Turnbull said.

Speaking about widening the scope of the motion, Green councillor Matt Williams said: "These stories just sound all too familiar, they're not solely confined to Blakelaw and Cowgate - they're spread across the city."

The Greens also claimed Reform had a "contradiction" between the party's national plans to reduce public spending by £80bn and local members calling for additional investment in youth services, community safety and preventative work.

The cabinet was asked to secure investment in fencing, improved lighting and funding for youth workers.

The amendment passed by 39 votes to 23 with one abstention, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Mitchell said the Liberal Democrat-led local authority had appointed a cabinet member with responsibility for youth services, and provided upfront investment in youth services over the summer.

"We have set out a starting point," he said. "We recognise there are specific issues."

"We are working to try and address these issues with communities and we will continue to do that whether it's discussed in the council chamber or not, because it matters to the city."

The amended motion was passed unanimously.

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