RESIDENTS on a Newport estate say they have had enough of the thuggish behaviour of a few and are fighting to put back the pride into their community.
Broadmead Park hit the headlines earlier this week when ten-year-old Calvin Hooper and his brother, Kyle, aged 12, were given five-year anti-social behaviour orders after terrorising their neighbours.
But people living on Broadmead, and the adjoining Moorland Park, are fed up with the area being given a bad name and are determined to highlight the good aspects of the estate.
A newsletter from the Moorland and Broadmead Community Association, distributed by ward councillors, community workers and the police, said the vast majority of residents were decent, law-abiding people.
It called on them not to let the small minority of yobs get away with behaviour which has included stealing, damaging homes and delivery vehicles and even attacks on people in daylight.
It said: "We will not allow our estate to become a no-go area. Shamed by a few thugs. If you care about our estate: Join with us. Together we can beat them."
The association has called on decent people to stand together with other organisations against those who are giving the area a bad name.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the people who live on Broadmead and Moorland are decent people who are proud of their area and, as a community, are doing something about the problems themselves," said Councillor Allan Morris.
He praised community development worker Zena Beirne for her hard work. "She is absolutely incredible, and to see the respect that kids have for her is amazing."
Ms Beirne, who is employed by the city council, said there were many positive things happening on the estate, including computer classes and a Sure Start creche facility.
Previously, the Argus has reported on 'litter-picks', where large numbers of local children help to clean up the estate.
And an important project which is about to be launched is being run in conjunction with the youth offending team and will involve youngsters building go-karts and racing them against Duffryn teenagers.
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