BANBURY KIDS 'SHOULD BE LOCKED UP'

YOUNGSTERS who cause trouble on Banbury's Ruscote estate should be locked up, according to shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe MP.

Ms Widdecombe visited residents on the estate to hear about their worries caused by the anti-social behaviour of some of the young people who live near by.

But residents said they do not want such a drastic solution to the problem.

People living on the estate are annoyed by children kicking footballs against their walls and windows, and more threateningly, throwing stones, spitting and shouting abuse.

Worried residents met Ms Widdecombe, Banbury MP Tony Baldry, town mayor Cllr Elsie Milne, town councillors Bryan Scutter and Peter Varney and Wpc Emma Brooks and Insp Robin Gardner from Banbury police at Ruscote on Saturday.

Ms Widdecombe said she knew crime on the estate had gone down. But she said: "Figures are all very well but that's no comfort to the chap who's been spat at or the couple who have stones thrown at them on their way home.

"We would take these anti-social youngsters out of the neighbourhood and put them into secure training.

For the full story, see this week's Banbury Guardian, on sale on Thursday.