Safety fears in village

Frightened residents say their village has been thrown into turmoil after being blighted by groups of youths wreaking havoc, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.

Balaclava-clad thugs have threatened innocent locals in Shotton Colliery and have been caught throwing bricks, fireworks and mud at people and vehicles, while also tearing up local green spaces with illegal off-road bikes. 

Shop workers have suffered racist abuse and a store has been closed down by the police amid alleged links to rising anti-social behaviour. 

Locals now stay inside at night due to the disorder, with one resident likening it to ‘The Purge’. 

One single mother, who has lived in the village all her life, now fears for her safety. 

She said: “I’m scared to look out the window in case they see me. The activity is anxiety-provoking and I am scared. 

“I’ve lived in Shotton all my life and I now hate it. I feel anxious when I see people at the bus stop as I fear they’ll be knocked over or attacked.”

Police officers admit Shotton Colliery has continuously experienced anti-social behaviour over the years, but events over the last five months began to spiral out of control. 

For many residents, the days between Halloween and Bonfire Night are unbearable. 

The mother added: “Every year I have lived in Shotton, this has been hideous to go through. It’s like something off The Purge. 

“I watched children throwing fireworks at members of the public, at cars, at homes, businesses and each other. They threw fireworks at me while I was out with my dogs and the poor things were traumatised.

“The sound of any of the scooters fills me with dread, and it’s hard not to feel unsafe and intimidated when they gather in groups and act the way they do with seemingly no consequences. 

“I used to watch Police Interceptors on TV – and now I watch it live.”

The Sweet Trap on Potto Street, popular for its desserts among schoolchildren, has been linked to the rise in incidents. 

Police chiefs say residents have been subjected to “repeated disturbance, noise nuisance and disorder caused by individuals frequenting this location” since it opened in October last year, creating an “intimidating and disruptive” environment. 

A three-month closure order was slapped onto the premises in March after officers warned it had become a “hub for disorder”. 

The force issued two separate dispersal orders around the store last year but the issue persists, local officers said. 

“The ongoing anti-social behaviour linked to this location is having a clear negative impact on the local community,” said PCSO Katie McKee. 

But staff in charge of the shop say they have also suffered from the ongoing issues. 

Muhammed Aftab, who is known as Tahar and works at The Sweet Trap, said: “On multiple occasions, when asking youths to leave or move on, I have been subjected to racial slurs. 

“My car has been repeatedly damaged since working in the area, including scratches and other incidents caused by local youths. 

“Bonfire night was an extremely serious and stressful incident. Fireworks were being thrown in multiple directions, including towards people, vehicles, and the police. 

“Both I and the business are victims of ongoing anti-social behaviour, and I have done my best to maintain a safe and welcoming environment despite these challenges.”

Charles Sproat, store owner, said he will appeal the closure order and disputed the police’s concerns, saying they are the “victim and not the catalyst of issues in this area”. 

He added: “Allegations have been made by Durham Constabulary that we attract and encourage the youths attending the premises. We do not, but the area outside the premises, particularly on the green, has become a meeting point for youths in the area.”

Despite the concerns, both men praised the community for banding together to protect others. 

The comments were submitted to the police as part of an application to strip the store of its alcohol licence, which was approved by Durham County Council earlier this month. 

Another resident added: “There is an increasing number of balaclava-wearing males on ebikes/scooters causing havoc to motorists and destruction to the grassed areas all around the area with their antics. 

“The younger groups now feel its ok to kick residents’ doors, throw eggs or mud at windows or passing cars.”

However, the local authority’s licensing committee was told that the number of reported incidents had decreased since the store closed. 

A total of 32 incidents of anti-social behaviour were reported in Shotton throughout March, but just 10 occurred after the store closed. Since the start of April, just eight incidents have been reported, the meeting was told. 

PC David Allan said: “Shotton still has issues with youths but people now feel safe. They don’t have to cross roads away from youths. 

“We have had a massive reduction – it’s definitely improved – and it’s a better place to be and live.”