Kirkby Times was alerted last Saturday about another attack on a bus driver in Southdene. The Echo reported yesterday (Thurs Nov 20 2003) that the driver of the Glenvale Bus was kicked repeatedly in the head by three of the four teenagers involved in the attack. The people doing it need putting in Jail - a good 10 years in Walton would have these little thugs weeping for their mothers.

Bus Ambushed Moorgate Rd.

The bus was waiting at the junction of Moorgate Road on the East Lancs Road in Southdene when the four youths smashed a side window and attempted to steal the cash the driver had taken. Whilst the driver was being kicked, the fourth youth stole the drivers coat containing a mobile phone and keys. The age of the attackers was between 15 to 18. There were 8 passengers on the bus, but no indication if any helped the driver.

Rare incident or common occurrence?

A DC Anne Jenkins reassured the Liverpool Echo that 'incidents of this kind remain rare' - but in truth they are becoming more common and we have already seen an attack on Friday the 10th of January on Broad Lane which involved another Glenvale driver, plus another bus actually stolen and used as a mobile pub by a gang of 12 youths who got on the bus in Broad lane Southdene. Kirkby Times also reported on a small bus burnt out in Northwood and we've had a good few attacks this year with stone throwers and arson attacks on buses. For the record, we've also seen Firemen punched and fire engines bricked - plus passing drivers kicked to the floor and passers by set upon and almost killed for the simple reason they objected to a small minority of anti social lowlifes who currently have the right of way in Southdene and other parts of Kirkby. Even the Police have been attacked - or had cars targeted - and they know how dangerous Merseyside is and how Kirkby and outlying areas are low on the list of priorities.

No Justice

It is only luck no-one has so far been killed by the gangs who hang round Southdene. Most of the lads and girls are not vicious - but will go along with the pack leaders if no-one stops them. We've all been kids - we know the score - kids will push things but can easily be stopped by a community which is not intimidated by them. Right now - kids of 15 to 18 can be a formidable opposition; they can be armed and prepared to use violence. They know there lawyers will come up with a good hard luck tale for the magistrates or jury and judge.

A Slap on the Wrist

The lads, if caught, would likely get a slap on the wrist anyway - despite the fact they could easily have killed the driver. Something's got to change. So far attempts to regenerate Kirkby or level out poverty have come to nothing. The level of violence is beyond anything most of us have seen - in Southdene, the Community Wardens have seemingly made little impact and the Community Police are only doing a 9 to 5 beat. Local people are fed up and the local Labour Councillors come out with failed scheme after failed scheme which has ultimately made little impact and simply increased the bravado of the gangs.

Reclaiming the Community.

At some point we need to have some protests by the local community - even if it means marching en masse to the trouble spots to reclaim the community for the decent people of Kirkby. Local women would be the best leaders for such a campaign. No-ones telling the kids they cannot stand out side the shops etc - but when they are beating grown men half to death - we need to do something. Kids naturally hate the law - many adults do! - but we need to draw a line somewhere - the laws which prevent people from using indiscriminate violence are good laws.

Bouncers as Community Wardens?

It's amazing that in a town with more bouncers and security guards than most towns that we have so much disrespect from the youth. Could we not take a few of the Bouncers etc and make them community Wardens? Some Bouncers would be naturals - selection would need to be done carefully but there are many lads who would welcome the opportunity if the pay was right. This is just an idea thrown to Kirkby Times and worth a mention. We've already seen New Labour state that communities can hire Community Police officers - this is a hint that areas will only get minimal response services unless they pay for it.

Last but not least - Kirkby times sends out apologies to Glenvale Drivers for the minority of di**heads who taint our community by attacking buses. Many lads from Kirkby actually work on the buses and the little idiots attacking buses are going to find that there heroic activities may bear a bitter price for them if they persist. The families of these kids and teenagers must also take some responsibility. These people must be shamed by the rest of the community and isolated if their behaviour persists. It's about time the ordinary people of Kirkby realised that the only people who will solve our problems are the people here.

A no go area?

If I was a driver for Glenvale I would refuse to drive through Kirkby until safety can be guaranteed. The driver could easily have been killed and surely the Union and Safety Reps should be having a long hard look at both pulling the service after dark and publicising why its been pulled. Any more attacks in Southdene and the drivers should simply declare Southdene a 'No Go' area. All the people who accuse Kirkby Times of bringing the name of Kirkby down should bear in mind that the people who write for and give information to Kirkby Times certainly don't kick bus drivers in the head. Some people in Kirkby do and they are the ones dragging our name down. Anyone who wants to read how GOOD Kirkby is - can read Knowsley Councils website - or wait for the Kirkby Extra or Knowsley Challenge 'news' papers to drop through your door. Even if 99% of the people here are good people, it only takes good people to do nothing to let the 1% spoil things for the rest of us.