Since January 2020, we have encountered issues at the rear of our property in the wooded coppice area directly behind my garden fence, adjacent to Harry Road Recreational Ground. Since that date, we have had repeated instances of anti-social behaviour from groups of youths and young adults (some over the age of 18) who have chosen to congregate in the area and engage in less than favourable activities. This is the same wooded area that spans the entire distance of your homes along this side of Ripley Grove.

This has ranged from arson (lighting a fire and causing an explosion by throwing a butane canister), drug usage, underage drinking, vandalism to the natural environment (purposely cutting down and breaking trees) as well as littering of dangerous items such as alcohol cans and broken glass.

Less seriously, although importantly still constituting disruption to the privacy and enjoyment of our property, these young people have been shouting, climbing trees and looking into our property, often at random times in the day and occasionally after daylight hours.

We have been in regular contact with South Yorkshire Police, the Ward Alliance and Barnsley Council in an effort to try and resolve the matter, but as I’m sure you can appreciate, we have been told that funds are limited. However, the time has now come to take a stand and defend not only my property, but our community of homes in this area.

I believe the only sensible course of action will be to fence off the area with sturdy, permanent steel palisade fencing, preventing unwanted access and damage to the area. I would also like to regenerate the fauna in this area by planting some intruder deterrent (but wildlife friendly) firethorn and hawthorn plants, which will create an additional barrier. However, I strongly believe in a sense of community- I want my family to be able to continue to live in this property safely and to be afforded basic human rights of safety and privacy in my own home, and for the surrounding area to be kept safe from potentially developing activity. We have been assured by two environmental agencies that without proper fencing, anything that we do plant will ultimately be destroyed by the continued footfall.

This is a problem that will undoubtedly develop and worsen if immediate action is not taken, not only to my property, but to each of our homes, and ultimately the area we live in and hold in high regard.

We need your support to lobby our local counsellors and MPs to listen. Our community is our biggest asset, and I wish to safeguard its residents, allowing us to enjoy our homes and families.