Local M.P. Frank Field and Wirral council leader Phil Davies have this week singled out Rock Ferry and Birkenhead as centres of 'low-level terrorism'. Citing feedback from residents that anti-social behaviour has plagued these areas to such a degree that the streets are unsafe and terrorised by street gangs. From my own door-step surveys I know this is a concern to some residents in a handful of streets, but it is not the leading neighbourhood concern for Rock Ferry residents. More pressing issues are street cleaning, dog fouling, fly-tipping and clean safe children play areas.
So, I find it rich that both Mr Fields and Mr Davies are blaming a shortage of cash resources for policing the ward, when we all know that this moribund, money-wasting labour-led council have cut services and funding that would make the ward safer, provide adequate children and youth services, keep clean existing play areas and maintain and open up playing fields. Furthermore, in the latest round of council budget cut proposals labour councillors are looking to close council funded youth centres in Rock Ferry. Both Rock Ferry labour councillor's Christine Meaden (Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture) and Moira McLaughlin (Merseyside Police and Crime Panel member) have for too long been deafeningly silent on - street crime and the lack of facilities for teenagers. I suggest the council first and foremost address what their austere cuts have inflicted on the ward and then get the police to re-open the Well Lane police station, follow this up by engaging communities to come together and look after their neighbourhood.
I and many others find it an insult putting a 'low-level terrorist' area label on Rock Ferry and it's youth and one that paints a damming picture to the rest of the world about Rock Ferry and it's community. Judging the tone of Frank Field's comment's I would not be surprised to hear him soon calling for an 'airstrike' against the 'low-level terrorism' in the ward! So, Frank and Phil go throw your stones at other people's glasshouses and do what we taxpayers expect you to do - address the woeful lack of action by the council and provide community resources to help the youth of Rock Ferry find purposeful off street activities.
