Unfortunately, last night’s community netball session was disrupted by an unpleasant group of young people. They interrupted the session by being on the court the entire time the netball session was trying to take place. They were being intimidating making threats, using offensive & abusive language, smoking marijuana. The netball group felt unsafe and frankly now feel like moving the activity elsewhere – something that the Parish Council really does not want to see happen, there having been a good deal of effort over a number of years to establish this activity for the community.

The incident was reported to the Police who were unable to attend at the time because of a more serious incident that required attendance. Sadly, the situation in the recreation ground is getting progressively worse (this is not the first time that community activity groups have been affected). The trouble is caused by a handful of individuals but it is making it very uncomfortable and intimidating for other residents and visitors. The fact that we have CCTV appears to have no effect on their behaviour although it might do once footage this been handed to the Police, along with possible names of those involved!

PLEASE HELP US. If you think you know who these young people might be we would ask you to contact the Police (via 101 or even Crimestoppers), the Community Safety Unit at SDC (community.safety@sevenoaks.gov.uk / 01732 227000) or the Parish Council (clerk@duntongreenpc.org.uk). If we do not see an improvement in this sort of behaviour, DGPC may need to consider the possibility that the facilities will have to be withdrawn from casual use by the public (i.e. by locking the court areas in the evenings). This is not a course of action that we would want to take as the facilities are provided for the health and wellbeing of Dunton Green residents. This is why we are asking for your assistance in identifying those who may be involved.

Thank you.