On behalf of Trimdon Foundry Parish Council
(22nd January 2025)

Although Trimdon Foundry Parish Council does not have powers or resources to tackle antisocial behaviour, it is very concerned about the issue and regularly reports issues on behalf of residents to other agencies. Its meeting, held on Tuesday 21 January 2024, had three items on the agenda which related directly to antisocial behaviour in the area. The County Councillors report included an update from County Councillors Lucy Hovvels and Jake Miller about antisocial behaviour, especially recent incidents on Station Road West. There were also two specific agenda items relating to antisocial behaviour. The report on Neighbourhood Policing, which includes details of all criminal related incidents in the area, and Care for your area, which was a public statement and information for the public regarding three areas of concern: criminal damage by fire, fly tipping and dog fouling. Additionally, at the meeting the Clerk reported that he had arranged a meeting between himself, the police, neighbourhood warden service, and the County Councillors to specifically address concerns about local youths who are responsible for much of the antisocial behaviour in the area. Due to the ages of young people involved further details are rightly confidential.

The Council would also like to clearly state that it did not vote to keep the steps near to the pizza shop closed. As its minutes of 17 September 2024 clearly state:

Resolved that the Clerk inform Durham County Council that the Parish Council supports the walkway being designated a Public Right of Way, however, it has reservations regarding the reopening of the steps due to concerns about antisocial behaviour, which has abated since their closure in 2022.

The Parish Council was a consultee during the approval process to make the walkway a right of way and was not park of the decision making body. That decision was made by the Highways Committee of Durham County Council. The Council supports the Public Right of Way but it shared its concerns about the reopening of the steps with the Rights of Way Officer because of previous antisocial behaviour which had first prompted the closure, again a decision which was not in the control of the Parish Council. The Council notes, however, that since the reopening of the steps, antisocial behaviour related to the area has significantly increased, causing distress to the residents who live adjacent to the steps.

A message received from a Trimdon Station resident:
"Just wondering if anyone can tell me why at Tuesday 21st January's parish council meeting there's no mention of all the antisocial behaviour going on in the village on the agenda? The parish council are asking for parishioners to help with information.
Could this be so the public will not be able to go along and have a say, as only matters on the agenda can be commented on. Looking like double standards again by our councillors. After Councillor Hovvells went to the council chambers in Durham to stand up and speak on behalf of three residents to keep the steps and walkway closed off with full parish council backing!!! Then for all councillors to turn a blind eye or just not be bothered to the rest of residents suffering with antisocial behaviour throughout the village? What’s going on ?"

 

 

The two Parishes have been blighted by a number of incidents of arson. Most recently in Trimdon Grange on Thursday 15th January 2025 when a garage and two picnic benches were set on fire. The criminal damage caused in recent weeks has run into many thousands of pounds and councils cannot guarantee to replace all of the equipment destroyed. We ask residents to be vigilant and immediately report concerns to the police by telephoning 999 in an emergency or 101. 

 

We circulated descriptions of three youths aged 14 to 15 years old wearing grey and black tracksuits who are suspected of setting fire to children's play equipment. This behaviour is very concerning and puts people's lives at risk and we ask residents to immediately report concerns and, if possible, video or take a photo of such behaviour if they come across it and share this with police. Also please check your CCTV if you live near Trimdon Grange Recreation Ground between 20:00 and 22:30 on Thursday night to see if it records anything which may help the police.