Trader claims kids ‘run riot throwing eggs’ in high street
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A fruit trader is fuming as he claims kids ‘running riot throwing eggs’ are stopping people from coming to the high street.
Jack Scovell, 36, has worked on a fruit stall in Chequers Parade, just off Eltham High Street, for three-and-a-half years.
The trader said business has slowed down in recent years from shops closing in the high street. However, Mr Scovell feels the increasing antisocial behaviour in the area may also be sending customers away from the town centre.
Mr Scovell said: “On Saturday you got the kids up on the roof across the road throwing eggs across.
“Luckily, I had packed up by then but they were aiming at the shops and the bus stops and people at the bus stop were having to run into the shops to get out of the way. You get them all the time.”
The trader said he did not feel there was enough of a police presence in the high street to prevent antisocial behaviour in the area.
Data from the Eltham Town and Avery Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team shows that 53 crimes, including seven public order offences and six cases of antisocial behaviour, were committed in Eltham High Street and its surrounding roads in May.
Greenwich council announced on Monday that the jet-washing service to clean Eltham High Street had returned, after being paused for three years.
The scheme comes as part of a £578,000 plan from the council to clean up the borough’s town centres to reduce fly tipping.
Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement for Greenwich Council, said in a statement: “The return of the jet washing programme will help make our town centres much cleaner, well-maintained places.
“We would encourage pedestrians to help us take care of these areas, and to use bins to dispose of gum and litter.”
“We will take action against anyone caught illegally dumping rubbish and I encourage local people to report any incidents to us.”
The Met and Greenwich council were approached for comment.
Pictured top: Jack Scovell (Picture: Joe Coughlan)
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
