Would you class skateboarding as anti social behaviour.

Jagraf

OP are you absolutely 100% sure they are not causing any hassle. I don't mean big mega hassle, but could they potentially cause accidents or injure themselves or someone else?

I'm saying this as a parent of a 15 year old who worries that kids don't wear helmets or take the correct safety precautions. It might be that 'the authorities' are concerned that they may cause or be part of accidents and they are acting in the kids' interests. I have known, on more than one occasion (lol) kids lie or exaggerate the truth at this age.

I do think the way forward is to get the skateboard park sorted somehow.

If you are worried about the video incident I would sort this out yourself, as an adult, rather than suggesting a minor does it.

There may very well be cause for complaint but you need to be absolutely sure, and I wouldn't want my 15 year old being impolite to adults, irrespective of the situation.

Just the way I would play it.

candjsmum

candjsmum wrote: »

When me and OH went into town during the Christmas hols, we actually watched them, without them knowing for a good 20 minutes and as far as we could see they caused no trouble.

My son is no angel by any stretch of the imagination. but trust me when I say we watched them and all they were interested in was skating and filming themselves. They were no threat to the public as they are away from the main thoroughfare as such.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I am off to work again but will phone the council later to see what powers these have, if in fact any.

candjsmum

OK, just went to find the number to ring on their website and came across this link, so it may be that unless the pilot scheme was proven to be a "success", they may not be pestered anymore.

http://www.tauntondeane.gov.uk/irj/public/news/directory/articles?rid=/guid/f0b5b1ee-c656-3210-d588-e2cc8644cd4b

Once again, thanks for all your suggestions. Me and OH are going to check out the park at the weekend to see what it's like. The lads haven't been there for a while so it could be that its now not so bad, especially as the 2 "legal high" shops have recently been closed down by police.

libra10

I hope that the issue is now resolved and the lads can get back to their skateboarding undisturbed.

At £5000, it was an expensive scheme, and doesn't sound like it was cost efficient to local tax-payers.

niallmitch

Which area of Taunton are you talking about?

Castle Green?

Andrew Govier who is on the town, district and County council is a good councillor to talk to about should things - always promoting sports and kids activities

FatVonD

I wouldn't class it as antisocial behaviour at all (unless it's making a lot of noise near housing which you have said it isn't.)

I'd far rather have skateboarders around than chavs smoking and drinking or even just doing nothing. From what I've seen of skateboarders (ie. my son's friends ) is that they are a great bunch of boys. People moan that kids don't have anything to do and spend all their time gaming etc and then when they get themselves a nice active hobby they moan about that too. Some people are just killjoys.

meritaten

I find that kids who are into skateboarding, bmx biking etc are usually good kids who are not interested in 'illegal activities'. They just want somewhere accessible and safe to pursue their interests.
I wish your son and his mates every success - there are national and international competitions now and its a great goal for them to aim for!

FatVonD

meritaten wrote: »

I find that kids who are into skateboarding, bmx biking etc are usually good kids who are not interested in 'illegal activities'. They just want somewhere accessible and safe to pursue their interests.

You said that so much better than me!

TheEffect

I work with the ASB team for one of the London boroughs, who do get a surprising amount of calls about skateboarding, mostly from elderly people who have a list of other complaints, or whom may feel intimidated. Usually action is only taken when there is damage caused, when there are a number of complaints about noise, or when it's in a busy place.

Complaints about a group of youths skateboarding in a quiet area and who aren't causing any problems is IMO a waste of time and money (as we still have to log and monitor each complaint, and on occasions have to send someone to check it out).

candjsmum

Thanks to all of you for your comments. They really only want to skate, skate and then skate some more. I regularly check sons facebook messages, ( a rule i implemented when he first got an account was i would check it randomly), and its only ever about skating, exchanging video cl!ps between his friends and the like.

Top of his xmas present list was a subscription to the Sidewalk skateboard magazine.

I am going to see how it goes now regarding the street wardens, and if they are going to still be around and carry on, I will certainly be taking more action. ��