Football-loving children in a Blackpool street have been warned to stop their kickabouts or face fines of £50. Letters have been sent out to homes in the Bloomfield area of the town, near Blackpool Football Club, warning that playing football in the street is illegal.The Police said the action was taken following complaints about criminal damage to residents' homes and cars. Officers have issued the warning under section 161 of the Highways Act 1980.
Police decided to take action after the issue was raised at a monthly Police and Communities Together (PACT) meeting.
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said the letters were intended as a warning to parents to raise awareness about the problem.
"On the whole we wouldn't really want to enforce this," she said. "But we have a responsibility to respond to the concerns of all residents of the area. Residents have raised concerns about damage being caused to property, vehicles and flower beds etc - criminal damage essentially."
Section 161 (3) of the Act states: "If a person plays at football or any other game on a highway to the annoyance of a user of the highway he is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine".
3 comments:
oh man..that is so sad..cant they build them a soccer field someplace? damn
Very sad . .. I remember as a kid playing on the cobbles , we had no backyards ... where the fuck are THEY meant to play ????
at the moment they're playing outside my house. And I've nearly knocked them down as I drive towards my house as they run out without looking. I've had footballs fly in front of me and have to break.
They also steal bins to use as goalposts and don't return them as well as kick the footballs at my car.
The kids need excercise. But they should do it in the numerous parks around the area!
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