Latest news with #MaghullCricketClub
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
Plea from cricket club overrun by youths
A cricket club that has seen matches and training repeatedly disrupted by antisocial behaviour has pleaded with parents to stop their children from causing chaos at the ground. Maghull Cricket Club in Merseyside has made more than 25 police reports in the last year, and youngsters fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - interrupted a junior coaching session in May. The club called police again on Friday when dozens of teenagers were on the pitch, with some riding bikes and playing football during an U9s session. Club secretary Neil Dutton said incidents had been "intimidating" for youth players and that he was worried about potential problems over the summer holidays. Mr Dutton, who has been involved with the club since 2002, said: "If they are not playing cricket they've no reason to be here. "There's loads of playing fields and parks where they can go." He said in the latest incident on Friday, the club was trying to coach under 9s. "They are very young and it can be intimidating for them," he said, adding it was really hard for them to focus, too. Mr Dutton said it was frustrating to often hear "kids have nothing to do" as the club was putting on organised activities for youngsters. He said if youngsters were interested in playing cricket, the club would be happy for their parents to get in touch and would lend them kit so they could have a go. The club has permission to build a fence around the perimeter to block access to the ground, which is owned by the council. Mr Dutton added the club was currently in the process of looking into funding for the fence. The BBC has contacted Merseyside Police for information about Friday's incident. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. More on this story Anti-social youths spark dispersal order in town Antisocial youths driving out members - cricket club Cricket club to put up fence after fight on pitch Related internet links Maghull Cricket Club Merseyside Police


BBC News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Maghull Cricket Club plea after being overrun by youths
A cricket club that has seen matches and training repeatedly disrupted by antisocial behaviour has pleaded with parents to stop their children from causing chaos at the Cricket Club in Merseyside has made more than 25 police reports in the last year, and youngsters fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - interrupted a junior coaching session in May. The club said called police again on Friday when dozens of teenagers were on the pitch, with some riding bikes and playing football during an U9s session. Club secretary Neil Dutton said incidents had been "intimidating" for youth players and that he was worried about potential problems over the summer holidays. Mr Dutton, who has been involved with the club since 2002, said: "If they are not playing cricket they've no reason to be here."There's loads of playing fields and parks where they can go."He said in the latest incident on Friday, the club was trying to coach under 9s. "They are very young and it can be intimidating for them," he said, adding it was really hard for them to focus, too. Mr Dutton said it was frustrating to often hear "kids have nothing to do" as the club was putting on organised activities for youngsters. He said if youngsters were interested in playing cricket, the club would be happy for their parents to get in touch and would lend them kit so they could have a club has permission to build a fence around the perimeter to block access to the ground, which is owned by the Dutton added the club was currently in the process of looking into funding for the BBC has contacted Merseyside Police for information about Friday's incident. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
Anti-social youths spark dispersal order in town
A dispersal order has been put in place in a town after groups of youths were found to be "intimidating, threatening and frightening people". The order in Maghull on Merseyside, which runs until 23:00 BST and includes the town's main parks, follows recent incidents of antisocial behaviour as seen at Maghull Cricket Club. Young people were fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - during a junior coaching session last month. Sefton Neighbourhood Inspector Kenneth Sumner said the dispersal order was to "make sure that everyone can feel safe in Sefton". The order gives police and police community support traffic officers the power to order people to leave an area if they are suspected of committing, or being likely to commit, a criminal offence or anti-social behaviour. Maghull Cricket Club has made about 25 police reports since July last year about people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising its equipment. It is now seeking funding to help with the costs of building a large fence. Insp Sumner said: "We will not tolerate groups intimidating, threatening and frightening people visiting, living and working in the Maghull area, or anywhere across Merseyside." He said many groups of young people had "stayed out of trouble, socialising with friends", but "some have been involved in anti-social behaviour". The issue was "a top priority" and the force was working with local businesses and the council and examining CCTV to identify suspects, he added. Under the legislation officers have the power to seize any item including vehicles and it is an offence for anyone directed to leave the area to return. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Cricket club to put up fence after fight on pitch Antisocial youths driving out members - cricket club Merseyside Police


BBC News
16-06-2025
- BBC News
Anti-social youths sparks police dispersal order in Maghull
A dispersal order has been put in place in a town after groups of youths were found to be "intimidating, threatening and frightening people".The order in Maghull on Merseyside, which runs until 23:00 BST and includes the town's main parks, follows recent incidents of antisocial behaviour as seen at Maghull Cricket people were fighting on the cricket field - some armed with hammers - during a junior coaching session last Neighbourhood Inspector Kenneth Sumner said the dispersal order was to "make sure that everyone can feel safe in Sefton". The order gives police and police community support traffic officers the power to order people to leave an area if they are suspected of committing, or being likely to commit, a criminal offence or anti-social behaviour. Maghull Cricket Club has made about 25 police reports since July last year about people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising its is now seeking funding to help with the costs of building a large Sumner said: "We will not tolerate groups intimidating, threatening and frightening people visiting, living and working in the Maghull area, or anywhere across Merseyside."He said many groups of young people had "stayed out of trouble, socialising with friends", but "some have been involved in anti-social behaviour".The issue was "a top priority" and the force was working with local businesses and the council and examining CCTV to identify suspects, he added. Under the legislation officers have the power to seize any item including vehicles and it is an offence for anyone directed to leave the area to return. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.


Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Teenagers fighting with hammers and knives on cricket pitch forces club to build protective fence
A cricket club plagued by groups of teenagers fighting with hammers and knives on its pitch has been forced to build a fence around its ground. Maghull Cricket Club in Merseyside has reported 25 incidents to police of people harassing players, setting off fireworks and vandalising equipment since July 2024. Workers have said the years of 'disgraceful incidents' have left children training at the club in tears. In order to block further disruption from rowdy teens, they now plan to hold a fundraiser to build a fence around to grounds. In early May, a fight broke out between teenagers on a cricket pitch where about 50 children aged nine to 13 were waiting to play. The session had to be called off to rush the children back to safety, according to the club's Facebook page. The post said: 'Sadly, we must report to the people of Maghull another in a long list of disgraceful incidents that have blighted our club for several years. 'Tonight, during a junior section practice evening, a number of youths have congregated on our pitch and engaged in organised fighting, delaying the start of the session. 'A short while later, more youths appeared, fighting and threatening each other with hammers, knives, a garden spade and a stump stolen from our practice area.' Speaking to the BBC, the chairman of the club, Adam Lloyd, said the fight had been 'traumatising' for those witnessing it and that the club had 'no option' but to build the fence. He said 'The kids had never seen anything like it before, some were crying,' he said. He described it as a family club, saying multiple generations of his family have been involved and that they all love being part of it. At a community meeting organised by the club, it was shared that the violence had left children shaken and led some parents to think about not bringing their kids back to training due to safety concerns. According to the Telegraph, a mother who witnessed the fight described it as 'truly terrifying', adding: 'I would like to just say a massive thank you to the adults, especially the men/fathers, involved with the club, who quickly stepped in ushering the children to safety and stepping in bravely to defend them if needed. 'You didn't hesitate to take action and it didn't go unnoticed.' Merseyside Police confirmed a 14-year-old boy from Maghull was arrested on suspicion of fighting, carrying a weapon in public, and having a Class B drug and has now been released while the investigation continues. A 17-year-old boy from Kirkby also came in for a voluntary interview about having cannabis and a public order offence. The police investigation is still ongoing. Labour MP for Sefton Central, Bill Esterson, called the fight a 'real wake-up call' and said it was 'disturbing and hugely upsetting' for the children who were there to play cricket. He called for intervention and more youth activities, suggesting that 'maybe some of them can play cricket and football instead of threatening and fighting each other.'