Anti social behaviour

Anti social behaviour has made so many people feel intimidated and frightened. I took my children to the park, perhaps a little later in the day than I would usually choose to take them, but on this particular day the weather was lovely and after we had had a walk we decided to pop into the park to let the children enjoy what was left of the daylight. I am not talking 9 or 10 O'clock at night here. It was between 6 and 7pm. Our local park has four swings two are for small children you know the sort that is primarily designed for the under fives. So we arrived and the swings were all being used by teenagers (even though they could not sit in the seats designed for toddlers). My children decided to play on the other equipment but after a while wanted a turn on the swings. My 4 year old son said to a teenage boy "Please can I have a go?" the boy nodded and moved so my little one could get on. Great I thought so I asked the young girl in the other child swing if my daughter could have a go. She also moved but it was clear she was not happy about my asking. I saw her whisper to one of her mates and the next thing that happened was that she and a few of the boys decided to kick a football at the two other swings that their mates were on. This was a real worry at the ball could easily have hit my children at any point. I asked them not to do it and they laughed at me. They then swore at me and said if I did not like it I should leave the park. Momentarily I considered having a go with them but I had my children with me. I decided to bring them away. I felt humiliated and scared. I went home upset and saddened by the behaviour I had experienced. It also means that now that my 4 year old is scared of teenagers! Not a great result

http://http//www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/Typesofcrime/DG_4001652