The events of recent weeks have again highlighted the problems with ASB in Hardway, and other areas of Gosport.
Hardway made the news again - unfortunately the authorities inability to deal effectively with the problems, despite the PSPO that is now in place and the significant ASB experienced in July, forced members of our community to take to social media to spotlight the type of issues and to identify those whose behaviour impacts both residents and visitors alike.
As a result the group involved in ASB on 22nd August were identified and we have been advised that the young people involved have been dealt with and as part of community resolution will be paying for replacement plants and work on the area.
Despite some of the protestations of innocence on social media those of us who witnessed the behaviour of girls and boys in the group know the pictures that quickly went viral on social media only show a small element of their anti-social behaviour during the couple of hours they were in the area.
Locals were left no alternative other than to film and photograph those committing crime in our area, as this is the only thing that has finally forced authorities to take action. As it is not illegal to film/photograph anyone in a public place including young people, where we have evidence of a crime or anti-social behaviour we will continue to share this widely online and to authorities and media.
Visitors to the area need to know that it is only those witnessed to be involved in ASB at Hardway (both perpetrators and victims) that will be filmed with the single aim to make this community accessible and safe for all.