A CHURCHYARD has fallen prey to anti-social behaviour by teenagers including 'arson', fights, loud screaming and graffiti say fed-up residents.

Sleep-deprived neighbours describe growing concern over anti-social behaviour in the churchyard of St John's Church, St John's, Worcester.

Cllr Richard Udall says parents should be more accountable for their children's behaviour but also believes more provision is needed for young people in the community.

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Matters came to a head on Monday morning when residents reported a disturbance at 3.30am, including 'loud screaming' in the churchyard of St John's which dates from about 1165.

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Graffiti can still be seen on one of the buildings next to the church.

Meanwhile, there are also daubs on the steps of the library nearby and on a building in Bromyard Road.

Cllr Richard Udall, the Labour and Co-operative councillor for St John's, said: “St John's Church is the historical heart of our community. 

"It's sad to see recent problems in the churchyard, with children and young people being involved with arson, graffiti, vandalism and now disturbances reported at 3.30 in the morning.

"Residents had to call the police in the early hours of Monday morning, it's alarming that children are allowed to be causing trouble at such a time.

"Parents really need to be held more accountable for the behaviour of their children, but society also has a responsibility to ensure we collectively provide for their needs in a more productive way.

"Recent cuts to youth work and youth provision in Worcestershire are not without consequences, we need to invest in young people again otherwise these acts of vandalism will sadly continue.

"However, I refuse to allow that to be used as an excuse for misbehaviour and vandalism, the area around the church is important to many local people and its home to many others."

Cllr Udall called for better lighting, CCTV and more night-time police patrols.

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One resident said: "I don't have kids but, if I did, I would have them in bed at 3.30am. It's consecrated ground. There were eight to 10 young people around on Monday smoking weed.

"They should have a little bit more respect. They seem to be getting braver with this long period of hot weather. They're having scraps and they even had a fire. One of them was trying to swing on the tree.

"This is a thousand-year-old church and there's an old boy that comes in here every week to lay flowers for his wife who has passed away. They don't deserve that. Nobody does really."

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He added: "The litter situation is dreadful - even though there's a new bin which they don't use. We have all gone out and enjoyed ourselves but we don't all wantonly smash stuff up or light fires. I was brought up that you should not do anything like that on church grounds."

 

 

He said he rang 999 a fortnight ago. "I thought somebody was being attacked in the churchyard," he said.

Another resident called it 'wilful damage' and said a bench had also been ripped up.

"There's nothing for them - it's a shame really. They're just bored. They should not be out at that time in the morning," he said.

West Mercia Police and the church have both been approached for a comment but have yet to respond.