Maghull police say youths hiding in overgrown parks

Jun 25 2009 by Linda Foo Guest, Maghull and Aintree Star

OVERGROWN parks have become a refuge for youths smoking cannabis and drinking.

In recent months police have made arrests after finding teenagers hanging around Coronation Park and Glen Park.

Now, officers in Maghull are urging the parish councils to trim the bushes back to stop gangs using them as hide-outs.

Neighbourhood Inspector Kevin Booth said: “We are responding to complaints from residents.

“When we patrol the parks it would help if the bushes were cut back, so we are asking if the councils can trim them back, then the wooded areas will be more visible.

“We patrolled the parks the other night and seized alcohol from kids in Corporation Park.

“There has been a few arrests of 15, 16 and 17-year-olds for small amounts of cannabis in the past couple of months.

“However, groups are smaller compared to a couple of months ago when 150 youths were gathering.”

Maghull Town Council’s clerk, Paula McNulty said: “We are looking into it and have had a request from police to cut the trees and bushes back at Glen Park.”