Youth Gangs Responsible for Criminal Damage and Anti-Social Behaviour in Cheadle: What Are the Solutions?

In the past 6 months, the number of anti-social behavior and criminal damage incidents caused by youngsters has increased. A number of local organisations and residents have reported some quite serious anti-social behaviour from our young people. While this has been an ongoing concern for a number of years, the situation is getting worse.

Recent damage to the Methodist Church

COGNEWS readers and outside organisations have told us their experiences. Business owners and local residents are understandably upset or angry, but youngsters are also putting themselves at risk, and if the behaviour continues, this could impact them well into adulthood.

• The Methodist Church, which runs many community activities including weekly mental health support sessions and family film nights, told COGNEWS that youngsters have broken into the back of the Methodist Church three times, causing criminal damage. (see picture above)

  
  

• The roof of the storeroom at Tean Road recreation ground has been damaged by youngsters attempting to stand on the roof, and as a result, part of the roof will need to be replaced. This has a substantial cost to the town.

  
  

• Eyewitnesses report a young person punching property signs, resulting in damage to the signs.

  
  

• Another witnessed two young boys destroying a wheeled case, later spotted thrown into trees, a risk for wildlife and residents alike, contents now strewn across gardens of people newly arrived in the area.

  
  

• The new bowling pavilion has been plagued by young people playing football on the bowling green, and the outside of the new building has already been subjected to misuse before it has even been used by our local bowling community. This is in spite of having the skatepark, zip wire, tennis courts, exercise equipment, football pitches, etc., being available to them. Provision also includes a shelter provided especially for youngsters to gather in.

  
  

• Several businesses located on the Tape Street car park have complained about children breaking in and climbing on the roofs of buildings.

Local police have been informed regarding some of these issues and have been present in our schools, but there seems to be a reluctance for some parents to do anything to prevent this behaviour, something which they not only have a moral responsibility for but a legal one also. Cheadle Town Council employs a community liaison worker to support local people at the Tean Road Memorial Ground, and their report shares many similar findings to COGNEWS. One thing suggested in the report, and is currently under consideration, is the reinstatement/revitalisation of our youth provision for the town, something which has been neglected for the past eight years.

We know our kids had a particularly tough time of it during Covid, and the Children's Mental Health Service CAMHS is beyond capacity to help. Many youngsters have difficulties navigating school, family life, and share adult concerns about bigger issues too.

Cheadle does have a wealth of activities available for young people, including youth theatre, sports, creative pursuits, and traditional organisations such as scouts. We have amazing countryside, we are close to Alton Towers, Peak Wildlife Park, Splash Landings, etc., but what we lack is the connectivity that a youth service would bring in giving both support, outlet, and purpose for our youngsters. Our youngsters cannot access these things without our support.

Unless we instil community values in our youngsters and show that we care about the issues they are facing, helping them to navigate life, we will be a much poorer society with even more problems if we do not act now.

There is a growing desire by some local organisations to support our youngsters, and both police and a few local councillors are keen to see a youth provision in the town. Don't believe the stories that it can't be done. If you need local examples, Tean has a successful youth group, as does Leek and Biddulph, with the district council financially supporting both @21 Youth Club in Leek and Biddulph Youth & Community Zone last year (£21,000), despite telling Cheadle Town Councillors that no money was available. COGNEWS is furious that our young people continue to be let down and are pleased to see that local community leaders are prepared to get involved.

Come to a meeting?

Monday 7th of April 7pm Council Chambers, Leek Road

This topic has been added to the next full Town Council meeting where anyone can come along and speak for 3 minutes, highlighting how they have been affected by both the behaviour and the lack of provision. Do come along and hear the experiences, views, and ideas from both community leaders and your friends & neighbours. One councillor, Bernie Charlesworth, told us, "We'd particularly like to hear from our youngsters and youth leaders. This is just the start, and with an appetite for change, our youngsters could have the better support and opportunities they deserve."

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What does the law say?

Punishments for Antisocial behaviour from GOV.UK

You can get a civil injunction, Community Protection Notice (CPN) or Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) as punishment for antisocial behaviour. Civil injunctions, CPNs and CBOs replaced Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Antisocial behaviour includes:

• drunken or threatening behaviour

• vandalism and graffiti

• playing loud music at night

A court may give you a civil injunction or a CPN if it gets reports of persistent antisocial behaviour from the police, a council or a landlord. You can only get a CBO if you’ve been convicted of a crime.

You can get a civil injunction or CBO if you’re 10 or over and a CPN if you’re 16 or over.

What you have to do

You must follow certain rules or you could get a more severe punishment.

For example, you might need to:

• stay away from a particular place, like your local town centre

• stop spending time with certain people

• work on improving your behaviour, for example by going to a support group

• fix damage you caused to someone’s property

  
  

How long it lasts

The court will tell you how long you have to follow the rules.

There’s no maximum amount of time a CPN can last.

How long civil injunctions and CBOs can last depends on your age.

If you’re under 18:

• a civil injunction can last for up to 12 months

• a CBO lasts between 12 months and 3 years

There’s no maximum amount of time if you’re 18 or over. If you have a CBO it’ll be reviewed every year and either stopped or extended.

If you don’t follow the rules

The punishment for not following your civil injunction is:

• a 3 month detention order if you’re under 18

• up to 2 years’ imprisonment or unlimited fine if you’re 18 or over

The punishment for not following your CPN is a fine between £100 and £2,500.

The punishment for not following your CBO is:

• up to 2 years in a detention centre if you’re under 18

• up to 5 years in prison or an unlimited fine (or both) if you’re 18 or over

Youth Gangs Responsible for Criminal Damage and Anti-Social Behaviour in Cheadle: What Are the Solutions? - last updated 18.3.25