Residents living near Ordsall Park in Salford say they have endured a campaign of harassment and nuisance for more than a year, with some now considering leaving their homes as police work to tackle the problem.
Events reached a tipping point in early October when police issued three Facebook posts in six days, culminating in a 48-hour dispersal order after a 'large group of youths engaged in anti-social behaviour' for two consecutive nights. Days later, officers returned to investigate 'the misuse of fireworks, criminal damage and bin fires' in Ordsall Park, making two arrests and identifying other youths while urging neighbours to come forward.
Residents describe daily harassment
One Hulton Street resident told the Manchester Evening News: "We've been getting harassed on this street for most of this year. Kids playing knock and run, but every day. That's why we've all got [CCTV] cameras."
The resident said groups of 'about 20' youths congregate in areas of Ordsall Park and surrounding streets. Concerns escalated around a month ago when fireworks became involved 'every single night'. "It started off with them just setting off fireworks normally," he said. "Then they started firing them at each other. Then at other people. They were setting bins on fire - either setting them on fire or putting fireworks into the bins."
He added: "Someone is going to get hurt. I think for most of us round here, if they want to be stupid and throw fireworks at each other, whatever. But if they are throwing it at other people, that's another matter."
Fear of serious injury
The resident fears someone will end up 'getting blinded or killed' by a youth hurling a firework, either a teenager in the group or an innocent member of the public. He described intervening when a firework was thrown towards someone pushing a double pram: "It missed them by about five feet. I went absolutely ballistic. Throwing fireworks at innocent kids? That's not OK."
A couple on the street described how youngsters regularly try to 'crush' them with bicycles as they head between the park and their home. "I lock the door after running in. Sometimes they surround [her partner] with sticks from trees," one said. The pair said the issue had been ongoing since they moved into the house in June 2025, with fireworks now being 'thrown in people's faces'.
A neighbour who has lived on Hulton Street for four years said the recent incidents were the worst he had experienced, describing the dispersal order events as a 'worrying moment'. "Whenever we try to cross the park, they will follow us and shout at us," he said. "It's very uncomfortable. And you can't say anything to them because they are kids."
Council response and wider context
Another resident said he was 'certainly thinking about leaving' due to anti-social behaviour, adding: "It's been pretty constant since I've been here. We've no idea where they are getting the fireworks from. Everyone is just sick of it to be honest." He called for more CCTV in the area, which police could access.
A Salford council spokesperson said: "The area is covered by permanent council CCTV, which has helped identify some of those involved in recent incidents. Additional CCTV provision is also being explored to further strengthen monitoring and support enforcement efforts."
The spokesperson added: "We will continue to work closely with our partners and local residents to tackle antisocial behaviour, improve community safety and ensure Ordsall Park remains a welcoming space for everyone."
The experiences of residents point to anti-social behaviour being a long-standing concern around Ordsall Park. A new report from Dame Rachel de Souza, the children's commissioner, titled The Childhood Lottery, found Salford to be the most challenging place in Greater Manchester to be a child - and the 13th most challenging in the country. The report assessed 162 measures of children's lives, with Salford graded one-out-of-10 in 11 measures, including development by the end of reception class, unauthorised absences, and the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
Dame Rachel called the 'postcode lottery' affecting children a 'national emergency'. "We cannot tolerate the status quo," she said. "Children care so deeply about where they live - that is why I have undertaken this work."
Salford city mayor Paul Dennett said the borough takes the findings seriously and is making positive steps to improve young people's life chances. "While we have made progress in improving services and opportunities for young people, we know there is much more to do," he said. He noted that GCSE results continue to improve, more young people are being supported into further education, training and employment, and the new youth zone has attracted 5,000 members.
Mr Dennett added: "Between 2010 and 2024, Salford City Council faced £245 million in funding cuts. We continue to increase investment in children's services, but local action must be matched by the resources and powers needed to make a lasting difference."
Salford council says young people can access 'a range of positive activities and support services' across the city, including detached youth outreach sessions every weekday evening in the Ordsall area. Salford Lads and Girls Club, a stone's throw away, runs youth clubs and events throughout the week and was chosen as the venue for Greater Manchester mayor Bev Craig to launch the I am Greater campaign on Friday (October 23), aimed at steering young people away from violence and knife crime.
