I’m 67 years old and have lived in Whitehawk, Brighton, for 40 years. One day, years ago, I found 15 needles in one of the plant pots on my close, that was when I thought, ‘enough is enough’, and started taking action.

Some things I can’t let drop. The problem of kids roaming the estate I live on with BB guns, shooting ball bearings at people and animals, was one of them.

So I decided to organise a campaign against the guns, which included an amnesty where they were exchanged for water pistols.

It was a real breakthrough to see young lads having fun, squirting each other with water.

The Home Office recognised the campaign by awarding us £1,000 under its Taking a Stand scheme in 2005. The money went to Whitehawk’s crime prevention forum, in which residents, council representatives and the police meet and discuss issues.

In July this year I opened a community allotment with the help of government funding and the support of residents, Brighton & Hove Council and the Sussex probation service’s community payback team.

I find that I am able to get through to the kids in the team by talking to them on their level, as young adults.

Anti-social behaviour here is mainly caused by kids. I have four children, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and I believe the buck stops with the parents. I’ve seen the way children as young as seven speak to people. They have never been taught to say ‘please’ or ‘thank you’.

Everybody has to do their bit. If they experience ASB then they must report it to the police.

Maggie Smeeth is chair of the Central Whitehawk Tenants’ Association in Brighton & Hove, and a community crime fighter within the government respect task force

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment