Residents and businesses in a leafy Salford village say the area is being blighted by groups of teenagers causing 'mindless' damage and leaving locals feeling 'scared' and 'intimidated.'
Groups of sometimes more than 20 youngsters, often hooded and masked, have been gathering in Monton throughout the summer, the Manchester Evening News has been told.
Those living and working nearby say they have been using the Veterans' Shelter - a famous local landmark which dates back to the 1930s - on the picturesque Monton Green as a 'hangout' during the evening, particularly at weekends.
Reports of eggs, stones, and fireworks
During that time, there have been reports of eggs, stones, and fireworks being thrown, including at passing cars and the starting of fires, as well as the smashing up of a bus shelter, damage to street furniture, bins, and trees, and push bikes, off-road bikes, and scooters being ridden 'dangerously' on and around the busy neighbouring roundabout.
The increasing numbers and 'escalating' behavior saw police put a 48-hour dispersal order in place over the weekend; however, locals say some of the troublemakers returned, once it had expired, on Sunday night.
Local councillors say they are working with the police and other agencies to try and tackle the issue. But some of those who live nearby and frequent the area's bustling high street, Monton Road, which includes a vibrant restaurant and bar scene, say the issues are in danger of 'spoiling' its reputation.
Residents speak out
Anne, 62, said: "From about 4pm, they start getting together. I don't know why, but that is where they meet. I don't know if they live around here or if they are coming in from outside."
"Most look as though they're about 13 or 14. But some look a bit older, and I think they are the ones causing most of the trouble. They are covering their faces."
"You see them riding down the high street on their bikes, doing wheelies. They can be three abreast with all the cars behind them."
"I have never seen them letting them off, but I have heard the loud bangs from fireworks. They've also thrown eggs and other things at cars going past."
"There are also loads of things around and about that have been broken. It's becoming quite worrying. Especially as the days get shorter and it gets darker earlier."
"It's amazing having a green space like this, but people are going to be put off using it. I like to go for a walk, but now I always make sure I'm back by four. Everyone is completely fed up with it. Something needs to be done. The police must know who they are."
"This is a lovely area. During the day, it's lovely and quiet, and it's a really nice place to be. They have got to start getting a grip of it before it gets worse. If they don't, something really bad is going to happen."
Business concerns
Dave Kershaw, the landlord of the Blue Bell pub on Monton Green, said: "Whilst we were closed for a refurb in August, we had two containers in the car park, and my wife saw them hanging around one of them."
"She went and told them to do one, and they picked up stones and threw them at her. Last week, my manager also told me they were throwing fireworks at cars on the roundabout. It all seemed to start at the start of the school holidays."
"I can imagine a lot of people don't want to walk past the Vets' Shelter now and are just avoiding it. So it's probably affecting us without us knowing it."
"People are just sick to the back teeth of it. There isn't much the police can do until they catch them at something. But I think something bad is going to happen, and if it does, there will be uproar."
Matthew Dickinson, 40, said: "I have lived here for 14 years and we've never had anything like this really. It's weird. The bus stop has been smashed up."
"A few weeks ago, someone also started a fire at the stop whilst I was standing there, just a pile of rubbish. I asked them to put it out, and they said, 'Don't you be speaking to me, telling me what to do.'"
"Someone eventually gave them a bottle of water, and they put it out. There are fireworks going off all the time, which one of my dogs really doesn't like."
"There's always been kids hanging around the shelter, but it seems to have escalated, with more abuse and shouting at people now. I'm okay because I'm quite a confident person, but it's quite intimidating for people."
"I think there needs to be more facilities for kids" he added.
Community impact
Sue, 60, said: "It's been quite bad for a while. I don't really come out at night anymore. You used to feel safe here, but you don't anymore. They are up the pathways with their electric bikes."
"It's a nice area, a lovely area. But it's being spoiled. It's just sad. They are spoiling it for people."
Daz, 56, who uses the shelter as a pit stop on his cycle home work, said: "I have been here when there's been a few of them here, and they've been saying 'nice bike mate' and 'your phone looks nice.' It just makes you paranoid they're going to try and steal them."
"Three weeks ago, three lads offered me weed at like two o'clock in the afternoon. I like to stop here but it's making me not want to now."
A local resident, 45, who did not want to be named, said: "It's just the fireworks and the damage, it's the litter. It's a shame, as there are volunteers who give up their time to keep this area looking nice. They just want to destroy things, I don't get it."
"Things seemed to die down a little bit with the dispersal order until last night."
"It was a nice place, it still is, but this kind of stuff, it doesn't do any good to the community. It's scary and intimidating for people. We would probably want to see a bit more done, but we understand there are limits to what they can do."
Partnership approach
Eccles Labour, of which the three local ward councillors are members, say they recognise locals' concern and are adopting a 'partnership' approach.
A spokesperson said: "Over the summer months we have unfortunately experienced some significant incidents of anti-social behaviour around Monton Green, including vandalism, fires, damage to trees and other unacceptable behaviour."
"We know how distressing and disruptive this has been for residents, and we take those concerns very seriously."
"At the same time, it is important to recognise that the majority of young people gathering in the area are well behaved, and we should not allow the actions of a minority to unfairly characterise all young people."
"From the outset we have championed a partnership approach. This has involved our detached youth team, neighbourhood managers, Greater Manchester Police, local schools and the wider community, with partners recently brought together through the Police and Community Together meeting at Monton Sports Club, which we continually pushed for on residents' behalf."
"As the numbers gathering increased, police introduced a 48-hour dispersal order, which helped to break the pattern of larger gatherings. GMP is also working with schools to identify young people involved and ensure parents are made aware. Our approach is about combining proportionate enforcement where unacceptable or criminal behaviour occurs with prevention, engagement and early intervention."
"No resident should have to tolerate anti-social behaviour, but equally, we want to work constructively with young people and families to find solutions that are effective and sustainable."
"We will continue working closely with all our partners and listening to residents so that Monton Green remains a safe and welcoming place for the whole community."
