The family park in Greater Manchester that's been a 'lion's pit' for 'menacing kids'

Locals say fire-obsessed kids have been causing chaos in the park for years

Police have hailed a Tameside park where numerous fires had been started as a 'true success story' of neighbourhood policing.

And some residents agree. Yet several locals say it is still being blighted by arsonists and anti-social behaviour.

The Manchester Evening News previously reported how the park's famous Grade II listed bandstand, built in the early 1900s, was set alight. Back in 2020, the bowling club in the park said it was third such attack in the space of the week and that the park had become a 'no-go area.'

The structure was then targeted again in 2022 with bins being moved onto it and set alight. Denton Park Social clubhouse was also torched in 2018.

Locals said groups of fire-obsessed kids had been causing chaos in the park for years.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) last week used the park as the location to announce the force would be getting 176 new frontline officers, funded by the government's so-called 'Neighbourhood Policing guarantee.'

GMP Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said local neighbourhood officers had got on top of the issues, and that they had 'increased feelings of safety' for locals.

"This park, we were told, by our local communities and our local partners, was not being used by community members because of anti-social behaviour" the officer told reporters.

"Working with the local neighbourhood policing team, our partners and the community themselves, we have made this a much nicer place to come and visit.

"As we stand here today, there are children playing, there are families visiting having a lovely day out in the Easter holidays.

"It's a true success story of partnership working and neighbourhood policing.

"This park was being damaged, there was large groups of young people congregating, drinking, there was basic misuse of the park and really putting off local community members from what is their rightful enjoyment of a park," ACC Boyle continued.

"Using some hi-visibility patrolling, and working with local people to divert people away from the park, we've increased feelings of safety in the park. We've reduced crime and incidents on this footprint, and you can see people enjoying it."

The Manchester Evening News spoke to locals about the issues in the park. A few said they had seen an improvement, and that the visibility of police had been a deterrent for the youths.

However some of those who live nearby and who use the park regularly, said they had seen trees being torched as recently as the last few weeks and that they still tended to avoid it, especially after dark.

What the residents could all agree on was the fact the problem has been going on for years.

Victoria, 38, said: "I have never had any issues to the degree of violence towards me. But I do see a lot of anti-social behaviour. Dragging bins into the park and setting them on fire, shopping trolleys, baskets. They are quite rowdy, they try to damage stuff. Kicking balls around. It can be quite intimidating.

"It's mainly around the bandstand. Last year they lit lots of fires. It's a massive problem. Even when the (now demolished) swimming baths was here, it was a hotspot.

"It makes you worried how many of them there are. It gives you the feeling 'do I want to go into the lions' pit.' That's what it feels like. It feels menacing. I try and avoid it.

"If I go out I won't go through it in the evening. As soon as the kids come out of school it starts. And it's sad for the little ones because its a nice park and should be a nice place to come.

"I don't know what measures the police say they've put in. I've not seen any police presence really."

Another local, who did want to be named, said that 'a couple of days ago' he walked into the park to find a tree on fire.

"It's terrible. There's a gang of youths always causing trouble" the man said. "It's this one group of school kids. They are just a menace. After school, between 4pm and 7pm, is a nightmare.

"My neighbour confronted gave it to them once but then had half a dozen eggs chucked at his house. Most of the kids are great, its a small minority.

"The police did try, last year they found out who they were and went round to their houses. It stopped for a bit, but then it started back up again and bins got set on fire. I don't bother coming in after dark."

However, some said they had seen an improvement.

Peter Brammer, 80, said: "It is the kids causing the trouble. They have been running riot in here. It's been going on for years. It's a nice place and a nice park but they have been spoiling it.

"Things have got better I think, and they're doing their best. But you can't expect them (the police) to come out every single time for every single thing. "

Karen Hockley, 61, said the issues seemed to ramp during the Covid lockdowns. "It was terrible what they were doing. But there's nothing going on for them around here.

"They were putting stuff on top of it (the bandstand) and setting fire to them. But that was years ago. I think they are getting on top of it now.

"I regularly see the police and PCSOs around and it is a deterrent. They can only do what they are doing. But that really shouldn't be necessary for people to have a nice time in the park. It's not up to the police. The parents need to be stronger and do more to stop them."