'The abuse is horrendous. I live as a frightened priest' Vicar speaks out about young vandals in Leighton Buzzard
A Leighton Buzzard vicar and his wife came under attack during a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the town, a meeting heard.
“For about six days, the vicarage was bamboozled by youngsters throwing eggs and lemonade bottles at the front door and windows,” the vicar of All Saints Church the Reverend Prebendary David MacGeoch told a meeting (March 26) of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Leighton-Linslade partnership committee.
“Some youths even threw a lemonade bottle at my wife and I,” he said. “The side gate to Pulford Road was kicked at least a dozen times. Also, the front doors were broken of the cottages opposite the vicarage.
“I’ve stopped youngsters trying to set fire to Leighton Middle School. They vandalised and damaged Pulford Lower School. We’re next to Parsons Close recreation ground, so they can easily run off or cycle away.
“The abuse is horrendous. I live as a frightened priest and I think that’s totally wrong. It’s a community problem and tends to peak during holidays.
“I’ve heard about what police are doing to support young people, but very little is being said about what’s being done for victims.”
Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Chris Leaman sympathised, saying: “I’m sure all of us are horrified by what’s going on. We’ve all seen something similar or are aware of victims.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Steve Owen was “severely unimpressed and disappointed to hear the vicar of All Saints and his wife have had eggs and a lemonade bottle thrown at them and their property”.
He warned: “There’ve been upsurges in anti-social behaviour in the town during the last year or two and then it quietens down again. Bedfordshire Police’s Chief Insp Jim Goldsmith generally knows who the culprits are before he’s approached.
“He tells us by law they have to take them to the magistrates court, and they get a slap on the wrist as many are under age and go on to reoffend.
“But when it’s the vicar and his wife, we ought to send something direct to the Chief Constable. He’s the allocator of resources and we should say ‘is he aware?’ because he ought to know.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey suggested: “We keep hearing there’s marvellous work happening, but we’re still having the problems.
“There’s an issue and it’s some families which need help. Anything we can do to provide activities for young people is what we need to concentrate on because plenty of families might be struggling.
“The police have made some arrests, but there are many young people who are under age. It’s extremely hard for the criminal justice system to do more.
“It’s how we support those children and give them a different approach and something alternative to do. We really need to be more proactive in helping young people change their lives by providing time and a space for them.”
Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade North councillor Kevin Pughe added: “Leighton-Linslade Town Council through the community safety sub-committee finances work with the police in the schools.
“This targets vulnerable children who might get involved in some of this activity. They and the families are all known. Many are minors under the age of 16 and 18. We’re assured it’s being dealt with by the police.”
Town clerk Mark Saccoccio explained: “The town council is totally supportive and fingers crossed we can address some of the issues the vicar has raised.”
Councillor Leaman, who chairs the committee, agreed to write a letter to the Chief Constable.