'We don't want to say anything': Elderly residents plagued by anti-social car meets

Elderly residents in Batley have warned that there is “no deterrent” to stop car meets from taking place behind their complex.

Backing onto Ward Hill Court, Ward Hill car park has been a source of frustration for residents kept awake by the “terrible” noise of car meets – but they say they are too fearful to speak out.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said he felt too scared to say anything for fear of having “stones” thrown through his window.

Another resident, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the drivers could be seen behind the complex most nights. He said: “It’s terrible sometimes. I hear noises from behind my house every day.

“They thankfully don’t come into the complex because they race around in big cars on the road outside, but there isn’t any deterrent to stop them, though. It’s annoying to hear all the zooming.”

The issue has also been flagged by councillors, who warned that the issue was “not new” to those in Batley East. Coun Akhtar Kasia said previously they had worked with West Yorkshire Police, PCSOs and Kirklees enforcement officers on anti-social driving.

Coun Kasia said: “When enforcement moved them on from Tesco’s car park, the problem shifted to Wards Hill and other local car parks rather than being resolved.

“That’s the point we have been raising with police and enforcement, and it’s already been picked up. Displacement like this shows that tackling one car park at a time doesn’t fix the underlying problem.

"We will keep pressing for a joined-up approach across all the affected sites in the ward.”

Coun Kasia assured that “no resident should feel too frightened” to report what’s happening outside their home.

Coun Kasia said: “We would encourage anyone affected at Wards Hill to report incidents to the police and to Yorkshire Housing directly, so there’s a proper record building.”

The Schemes and Supported Housing Manager at Yorkshire Housing, Francesca Hartley-White, said: “We understand the concerns residents have raised and the impact this issue is having on the local community.

“While the car park is owned and managed by the council, we’re in contact with local partners and will continue to support our customers. We’d encourage anyone experiencing anti-social or criminal behaviour to report it to West Yorkshire Police so it can be investigated and appropriate action taken.”

Kirklees Council have been contacted for comment.