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No Ball Games: Mothers Angelique Noronha (back left) and Jenny Anderson with their children (from left) Darren Noronha, Seth Anderson and his brother Cal
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Parents face Asbo if they let children play football
Town Hall issues warning as ‘no ball games’ sign goes up on estate
PARENTS who let children play football on their Hampstead estate have been threatened with an Asbo.
The Town Hall has warned families living on the Grove Place estate that, if youngsters ignore a new ‘No ball games’ rule, they could end up in court.
Anti-social behaviour orders are normally slapped on drug addicts, prostitutes and teenagers who terrorise neighbours. But simply kicking a ball around at the back of Grove Place estate could now spell trouble.
Camden Council gave permission for football on the estate in 2004 after receiving a residents’ petition but suddenly withdrew it on Thursday.
One mother, Jenny Anderson, was sent a letter from the council last week, threatening her with an anti-social behaviour order if her son Cal, 11, played football on the estate again.
According to parents, Cal and his friend Darren Noronha are among five youngsters, all under 13, who kick a ball around at their back of their homes.
Ms Anderson said: “The whole thing makes me feel really nervous.
“I’m intimidated and feel like I’m putting my tenancy at risk by kicking up a fuss when I’m just fighting for somewhere safe for my son to play.”
Cal, who attends Hampstead School, said: “Children live here so they should be able to play here. The Heath’s too far.” His mother worries that the children are too young to visit the Heath unsupervised, while Darren’s mother, Angelique, likes the fact that she can see her son from her kitchen window.
Ms Anderson said: “In an age where childhood obesity is such an issue, why would they do this?”
The council letter said it had been forced to ban football following a number of complaints and an incident in which up to seven 10-year-olds were playing football outside. It added: “As parents or guardians of these children you are responsible for their behaviour… The council can instigate action against you for causing nuisance which could result in the council obtaining an anti- social behaviour order against you.”
A council press official said: “We have received a number of complaints from residents. While we tried an option where games with soft balls only would be allowed between the hours of 9am and 8pm, this was not adhered too.
“We are sympathetic with young people who want to play ball on their estate we have to take into account concerns of residents who were being disturbed throughout the day and night.”
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