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The Sun
3 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Hideous ‘eyesore' is meeting place for 300 feral school kids fuelled by cheap booze who beat daylights out of each other
FAMED for its skyline and world class university Oxford is perceived to be a popular and successful city. That reputation is now being threatened by a spate of mass public brawls, rocketing drug use and a growing homelessness problem that is fast becoming a crisis. 12 12 12 Nowhere is this explosion of anti-social behaviour more evident than at the Templars Square shopping centre, less than two miles from the centre of Oxford. The dilapidated shopping centre has become overrun by drug users, drunks and, most recently, huge gangs of children from three rival schools gathering for brawls. Recently, more than 300 teenagers, fuelled by cheap alcohol bought illegally nearby, brought terror to the shopping centre over three days. Shoppers and business owners say cops left security officers from nearby stores to deal with the wave of violence, only turning up on the when the fighting was winding down. Charity shop worker Claire Johnson, 57, told how she bravely stepped in to try and break up the fighting. 12 12 Claire, who spent many years working with children from challenging backgrounds, said: 'In the main, it is boredom that drives these conflicts. 'They've got nothing better to do so they come down here to the shopping centre in groups from their schools and they start picking on kids from rival schools. 'Something will get said on social media and an argument will erupt, then before you know it you've got 300 kids down here from three rival schools wanting to beat the living daylights out of each other. 'This aggression and bravado is fuelled by cheap booze they're picking up at numerous off licenses in the area. Whether or not they are using fake ID or just stealing it, I don't know. 'The result is these mass punch ups we've been seeing in the shopping centre all too often. 'The most recent eruption went on for four days and involved more than 300 school children. It was awful to watch. 'I had to step in several times and try and break up fights all around me. I wasn't scared – I think I was just running on adrenaline and experience of knowing how to handle disruptive children. 'These kids were probably aged around 13 or 14 up to maybe 16. 'I just stepped in between various fighting youths and told them not to be so bloody stupid. Mostly, they listened to me and walked away, but I got a bit of abuse from some of them and I just had to leave them to sort out their grievances.' Claire, who has grandchildren and three grown-up children, blames an education system that is too quick to exclude children who misbehave at school. She said: 'Often, once they have been excluded and moved away from their friends and a familiar environment, they become even more disruptive and get into more fights and trouble wherever they can. 'I'd like to see the teachers, the parents and the pupils themselves sitting down in a room and talking through their challenges, not turning their backs on them and moving the problem elsewhere. 'If we don't do that, we're just going to see more and more trouble in this shopping centre.' 12 One of the tenants living there, Jason, 37, said: 'It is a nightmare living here. 'I was woken at 3 o'clock this morning by the sound of cops smashing my neighbour's door down to arrest him and if I come home in the evening I have to fight my way through junkies and alcoholics sitting on the stairs. 'It's noisy and frightening living here. It's so bad I can't bring my 15-year-old daughter back to my flat because I don't want any harm to come to her. As a result, we are pretty much estranged now. It is heart-breaking.' Amidst all the turmoil Templars Square recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with an Elton John tribute act appearing to entertain 1,000 shoppers. The very next day a 14-year-old boy was assaulted by a group of teenagers nearby and sustained injuries to his face, Thames Valley Police have been appealing for witnesses. Locals and employees say they have no reason to celebrate and are eagerly awaiting a planned redevelopment of the now 60 year old centre. Both the local MP and a city councillor have expressed concern over the state of the shopping centre with the the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council, Linda Smith, calling it "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Deborah, 52, left Oxford when she was 16 for London, but has recently returned to the city following the collapse of her marriage. She said she barely recognises the shopping centre she last saw as a teenager. 12 12 12 'When I was a kid, this was a lovely building with really good shops and a great place to meet up with friends for a milkshake. 'I hardly recognise it today. There are gangs of youths wandering around looking for trouble and lots of scruffy druggy types. 'Yesterday, I saw a woman lying on her back, absolutely off her head with drugs and today a man came up to me and made crude comments. It was humiliating And all I want to do now is go back to London. I can't believe what has been allowed to happen to this place.' Claire's colleague, Sharon Walton, said she feels so intimidated by groups of men heckling her when she leaves after a day's work that she heads straight to the shopping centre's security office and books a taxi home. Businesses and shoppers are desperately waiting for developers' plans to upgrade the shopping centre to materialise. Plans have been submitted for a luxury hotel, upscale apartment blocks and new retail units, but building work has yet to commence. Shoppers and business owners complain that the shopping centre's scruffy appearance and neglect are a magnet for down-and-outs, alcoholics and drug users who gather there in large numbers on a regular basis. Many complain that they have been harassed by drunks and are often asked for money by drug addicts and the homeless who seek shelter in the drab shopping centre. 12 12 A concrete stairwell built in the shopping centre to provide access to flats above sees heroin addicts using drugs every night and it stank of urine and booze when we visited. Claire said: 'There is no way I'll walk to my bus stop anymore because that route takes me straight past all the drunks and drug addicts leering at women and saying all sorts of disgusting things to them. 'It's just not acceptable but no one seems to be doing anything about it. 'I love working here in the store but as soon as you walk outside, it becomes a horror story. 'The developers need to begin the revamp they promised us as soon as possible because things here are getting worse and worse. 'They recently closed two homeless shelters elsewhere in the city and they all seem to be coming here now. 'The whole shopping centre seems to have become a haven for down and outs, drunks drug addicts and bored kids who want to engage in a massive punch up after school. 'Things cannot go on like this or one is ever going to want to come here to do their shopping again." Kerry, 50, said that she has been visiting the shopping centre several times a week since she was in primary school, but now dreads having to spend time there. She said 'They still have some good shops here where you don't have to pay a fortune for stuff, so I do still need to come here every so often, but I only do my shopping here now if I can't buy what I need elsewhere. It is a dump.' In March police implemented a section 60 order in the area after receiving intelligence of impending violence with weapons, this gave them greater stop and search powers. Public Space Protection Orders were approved by the city council on April 10, they cover the communal areas in flats in areas serving 199-207 Barns Road and 36-44 Upper Barr in Cowley, near Templars Shopping Park. Despite this move from the local authority, which came into effect on April 17 and will remain in place for one year, locals are still reporting anti social behaviour and violence in the area. Breaking the prohibitions in the order, which include gathering in communal, residential areas and obstructing an authorised person, can result in fines or prosecution. Data from Thames Valley Police shows there were 70 crimes committed in the area of the shopping centre in March alone, the majority of these were incidents of shoplifting but anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences were also highly reported.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Hideous ‘eyesore' is meeting place for 300 feral school kids fuelled by cheap booze who beat daylights out of each other
FAMED for its skyline and world class university Oxford is perceived to be a popular and successful city. That reputation is now being threatened by a spate of mass public brawls, rocketing drug use and a Advertisement 12 The Templars Square shopping centre is described as "dilapidated" and "overrun with drunks" Credit: N.C 12 School kids regularly gather at the shopping centre for mass brawls Credit: N.C 12 Police have reportedly left shop security to deal with the violence Credit: N.C Nowhere is this explosion of anti-social behaviour more evident than at the The dilapidated shopping centre has become overrun by drug users, drunks and, most recently, huge gangs of children from three rival schools gathering for brawls. Recently, more than 300 teenagers, fuelled by cheap alcohol bought illegally nearby, brought terror to the shopping centre over three days. Shoppers and business owners say cops left security officers from nearby stores to deal with the Advertisement Read more in News Charity shop worker Claire Johnson, 57, told how she bravely stepped in to try and break up the fighting. 12 The run down shopping centre has been promised a revamp Credit: N.C 12 Claire Johnson says the violence is fuelled by cheap booze Credit: N.C Claire, who spent many years working with children from challenging backgrounds, said: 'In the main, it is boredom that drives these conflicts. Advertisement 'They've got nothing better to do so they come down here to the shopping centre in groups from their schools and they start picking on kids from rival schools. 'Something will get said on social media and an argument will erupt, then before you know it you've got 300 kids down here from three rival schools wanting to beat the living daylights out of each other. Most read in The Sun Breaking Exclusive 'This aggression and bravado is fuelled by cheap booze they're picking up at numerous off licenses in the area. Whether or not they are using fake ID or just stealing it, I don't know. 'The result is these mass punch ups we've been seeing in the shopping centre all too often. Advertisement 'The most recent eruption went on for four days and involved more than 300 school children. It was awful to watch. 'I had to step in several times and try and break up fights all around me. I wasn't scared – I think I was just running on adrenaline and experience of knowing how to handle disruptive children. 'These kids were probably aged around 13 or 14 up to maybe 16. 'I just stepped in between various fighting youths and told them not to be so bloody stupid. Mostly, they listened to me and walked away, but I got a bit of abuse from some of them and I just had to leave them to sort out their grievances.' Advertisement Claire, who has grandchildren and three grown-up children, blames an education system that is too quick to exclude children who She said: 'Often, once they have been excluded and moved away from their friends and a familiar environment, they become even more disruptive and get into more fights and trouble wherever they can. 'I'd like to see the teachers, the parents and the pupils themselves sitting down in a room and talking through their challenges, not turning their backs on them and moving the problem elsewhere. 'If we don't do that, we're just going to see more and more trouble in this Advertisement 12 The planned redevelopment of the shopping centre is yet to materialise Credit: N.C 12 Templars Square Shopping Centre is plagued by youth mischief Credit: N.C One of the tenants living there, Jason, 37, said: 'It is a nightmare living here. 'I was woken at 3 o'clock this morning by the sound of cops smashing my neighbour's door down to arrest him and if I come home in the evening I have to fight my way through junkies and alcoholics sitting on the stairs. Advertisement 'It's noisy and frightening living here. It's so bad I can't bring my 15-year-old daughter back to my flat because I don't want any harm to come to her. As a result, we are pretty much estranged now. It is heart-breaking.' Amidst all the turmoil Templars Square recently celebrated its 60th anniversary with an Elton John tribute act appearing to entertain 1,000 shoppers. The very next day a Locals and employees say they have no reason to celebrate and are eagerly awaiting a planned redevelopment of the now 60 year old centre. Advertisement Both the local MP and a city councillor have expressed concern over the state of the shopping centre with the the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council, Linda Smith, calling it "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Deborah, 52, left Oxford when she was 16 for London, but has recently returned to the city following the collapse of her marriage. She said she barely recognises the 12 Locals say they barely recognise the shopping centre anymore Credit: N.C Advertisement 12 Sharron works in a charity shop in the shopping centre and has seen the downhill spiral first hand Credit: N.C 12 Templars Square was once home to several bustling shops Credit: N.C 'When I was a kid, this was a lovely building with really good shops and a great place to meet up with friends for a milkshake. 'I hardly recognise it today. There are gangs of youths wandering around looking for trouble and lots of Advertisement 'Yesterday, I saw a woman lying on her back, absolutely off her head with drugs and today a man came up to me and made crude comments. It was humiliating And all I want to do now is go back to London. I can't believe what has been allowed to happen to this place.' Claire's colleague, Sharon Walton, said she feels so intimidated by groups of men heckling her when she leaves after a day's work that she heads straight to the shopping centre's security office and books a taxi home. Businesses and shoppers are desperately waiting for developers' plans to upgrade the shopping centre to materialise. Plans have been submitted for a luxury hotel, upscale apartment blocks and new retail units, but building work has yet to commence. Advertisement Shoppers and business owners complain that the shopping centre's scruffy appearance and neglect are a magnet for down-and-outs, alcoholics and drug users who gather there in large numbers on a regular basis. Many complain that they have been harassed by drunks and are often asked for money by 12 The local council has taken steps to address the anti social behaviour Credit: N.C 12 A major revamp is reportedly on the way Credit: N.C Advertisement A concrete stairwell built in the shopping centre to provide access to flats above sees heroin addicts using drugs every night and it stank of urine and Claire said: 'There is no way I'll walk to my bus stop anymore because that route takes me straight past all the drunks and drug addicts leering at women and saying all sorts of disgusting things to them. 'It's just not acceptable but no one seems to be doing anything about it. 'I love working here in the store but as soon as you walk outside, it becomes a horror story. Advertisement 'The developers need to begin the revamp they promised us as soon as possible because things here are getting worse and worse. 'They recently closed two 'The whole shopping centre seems to have become a haven for down and outs, drunks drug addicts and bored kids who want to engage in a massive punch up after school. 'Things cannot go on like this or one is ever going to want to come here to do their shopping again." Advertisement Kerry, 50, said that she has been visiting the shopping centre several times a week since she was in She said 'They still have some good shops here where you don't have to pay a fortune for stuff, so I do still need to come here every so often, but I only do my shopping here now if I can't buy what I need elsewhere. It is a dump.' In March police implemented a section 60 order in the area after receiving intelligence of impending violence with weapons, this gave them greater stop and search powers. Public Space Protection Orders were approved by the Advertisement Despite this move from the local authority, which came into effect on April 17 and will remain in place for one year, locals are still reporting anti social behaviour and violence in the area. Breaking the prohibitions in the order, which include gathering in communal, residential areas and obstructing an authorised person, can result in fines or prosecution. Data from
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Liberals rewrite message on education cuts after a month of criticism
Social Sharing At first, the opposition saw the story of district education budget cuts as the story of a weak cabinet minister. On May 13, Progressive Conservative MLA Bill Hogan — a former education minister — blamed his Liberal successor, Claire Johnson, for the bad news trickling out of the province's seven school districts. "At what point will the premier realize that she has a minister struggling?" Hogan asked. "At what point does the premier look inward and ask herself if she made a mistake or two in the selection of her cabinet?" Over time, as the Holt government struggled to find a coherent narrative for its decisions on the district budgets, the PC criticism has evolved. Now it's about the government as a whole. "The Art of the Deal, Premier Holt-style, goes like this," PC MLA Rob Weir said this week, referring to Donald Trump's impetuous style of decision-making. "Step one: cut funding. Step two: wait for funding cuts to cause chaos, upset and job loss. Step three: then, and only then, start talking about negotiations." WATCH | 'We thought we were being clear,' minister says of message to districts: How the Holt Liberals' message on education cuts 'evolved' 7 minutes ago Duration 2:48 The Liberals are now in retreat over their education budget, which they increased by $200 million overall, but which — thanks to the earmarking of most of the money — forced the districts to reduce spending in some areas by a total of $43 million. One district cut library workers. Another said it would have to eliminate 25 support positions for students with behavioural issues, shifting those teachers into classrooms to comply with the government's directive to concentrate resources in classrooms. Last week, Johnson said forcing district education councils to rethink their budgets was "a good exercise," but the government had gone "a little bit too fast or too far" because it was so impatient for improvements. Holt later told Brunswick News the problem stemmed from the districts being so unused to consultation and collaboration that they didn't realize the Liberals wanted to negotiate with them all along. Johnson adopted that message in the last week, saying the government and the districts "have to relearn how to work together" after six years of Progressive Conservative government. "We almost have to deal with a trauma response as we fix a relationship that has been broken," the minister said. No mention of an offer to negotiate The districts could be forgiven, however, for presuming that what they were told weeks ago was the last word. Johnson herself said on May 8 that shifting resources to classrooms was vital, and "we all agree on this. We're making it happen." She made no mention of an offer to negotiate. Letters sent to francophone school districts on April 29 laid out their budget allocations for 2025-26 and reminded them they had until July 1 to submit their spending plans — with no deficits allowed. "You will note that your budget includes a significant reduction," said the letter, written in French. "In addition to your spending plan, please provide us with the details of the reductions you need to make this adjustment." The letter included an offer to meet with the districts "so we can better understand potential issues and communicate your budget realities to central government" — but only in the fall, after the cuts would already be in effect. Johnson wouldn't comment on the older April 29 letters this week, saying she wanted to focus on "the evolution, the correction" to the government's way of communicating. "It evolved as it needed to. We thought we were being clear. Maybe it wasn't as clear as it could have been." She produced new letters on Tuesday that ask districts to submit plans to "mitigate choices that could impact the classroom and the supports our students rely on most." The letter continues: "We will consider adjusting funding in relation to the proposals you submit." And it goes on to specify that the department wants to know "which staffing and funding choices you may have made that would impact the items above." Not clear what cuts may be reversed Johnson told reporters the process could lead to the province restoring some of the $43 million, but not all of it. "We want to be convinced that it's absolutely necessary," she said. "We will land somewhere in the middle. It won't be $43 million." The districts say they are going through the process, but it's not clear what cuts may be reversed. "At this stage, it's too early to speak to the number of positions that may be impacted," said Paul MacIntosh, a spokesperson for the Anglophone West district. Ghislaine Foulem, the chair of the Francophone Northeast district agreed the initial April 29 letters didn't seem to leave any room for negotiations. "There was maybe a lack of understanding, or a misinterpretation of intentions" between the two sides, she said. "Now I think we've heard an openness to reconsider those cuts." It's 'the entire government,' PC leader says PC Opposition Leader Glen Savoie said it wasn't credible for the government to claim now that its spring budget decisions were merely an invitation to negotiation. "If that's the case, the $600 million deficit that they've put us in — we'd like to go back in that house and negotiate that down so we have a balanced budget," he said. And, he said, the issue is no longer just Claire Johnson. "It's this entire government and their approach to governing. At every turn, they make a decision, it blows up in their face, and then they try to evade responsibility for that decision," he said.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘A vibrant hub of learning': Site selected for new school in Shediac, N.B.
Shediac Cape School, in Shediac, N.B., is pictured on May 26, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Alana Pickrell) The future site of a school in Shediac, N.B., has been chosen. The new kindergarten-to-Grade-12 school will be built on the west side of Ohio Road, next to Route 15, according to a news release from the province. 'With the rapid population growth in our province in recent years, many schools in southeastern New Brunswick are either at or over capacity,' said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson in the release. The new school will have a 930-student capacity, with room to grow. The government says it will replace Shediac Cape School, which was built in 1958 and renovated and expanded in 1997. It will also alleviate enrolment pressures at Moncton High School. 'I am excited that a new school in the Shediac area will not only alleviate enrolment pressures in the short term, but will provide a modern facility that will serve kindergarten-to-Grade 12 students and the wider community for generations to come,' said Johnson. The plans for the school include: music and visual arts rooms middle school technology rooms a black box theatre with stage computer and science labs vocational shops The government says a library, cafeteria and two gymnasiums will be available to the community outside of school hours. 'This new K-12 school will be a vibrant hub of learning that reflects our unwavering commitment to the four pillars that guide our work: literacy, numeracy, safe and caring schools, and graduation,' said district superintendent and CEO Randolph MacLean in the release. Construction is scheduled to start in the fall, with a total budget of $105 million. The government has allocated $25 million for the project in the 2025-26 fiscal year. The school is expected to open in January 2029. The government says several factors are considered when choosing a new school site, including: community amenities community school use catchment area accessibility of the site available utilities transportation strategies natural site conditions site size For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Teachers' rep encouraged by minister's potential pivot on budget decision
The president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association says he's feeling "positive" about the potential reversal of budget decisions that led to cuts of some educational support staff. Peter Lagacy said recent comments by Education Minister Claire Johnson suggest she's been listening to how recent budget decisions could negatively affect the school system. "She certainly seems to be willing to take all information and perhaps go back and readjust them and help look at things," Lagacy said at a news conference Friday. His comments come amid a swirl of controversy about how the Department of Education is funding the province's seven school districts, which are in charge of school operations like hiring teachers and support staff. While the department upped the districts' funding by $200 million this fiscal year, directives on how to spend large chunks of the money left the districts with less than they said they needed. That forced districts to cut dozens of support roles, including school library workers and staff who help children with behavioural problems. The department also wants to see districts redirect 150 teachers out of administrative roles and back into classrooms — a request that some districts have balked at. In response to the uproar by the districts, Johnson said Thursday her department was looking at potentially redirecting funds and stretching out some short-term targets over a longer timeline. "It's all on the table, and we're in discussions right now. We're working with the districts," she said at the time. Recruitment, retention top issue, Lagacy says Even if the department were to change tack on recent controversial funding decisions, the NBTA wants to see a strategy by the province specifically aimed at improving the recruitment and retention of teachers, Lagacy said. "I think we've asked for a strategy ... from central government for the past while and I think, you know, that strategy needs to be front and centre of anything moving forward," he said. Lagacy said the department budgeted $4 million this year specifically for recruitment and retention, however, he said it's unclear exactly what the plan is for that money. "They set in the budget $4 million, but money alone isn't enough. So we need the action behind that and the strategy." Lagacy said those issues could be improved through better "flexibility" in teachers' work days, by giving them time dedicated to meeting parents, and having professional development sessions. "And so, just being able to do your job well takes time and can certainly go a long way in retaining someone." Lagacy said he'd be in favour of the province piloting an altered school calendar next year that would see two days per month carved out for non-teaching activities. "I think if there are communities and schools and parents who are supportive of that plan, I don't see why we wouldn't want that going forward." CBC News was not granted an interview with Johnson, but was provided a statement by email. In it, she said her department is working with the NBTA on a retention and recruitment strategy for qualified teachers and other education professionals.
