We had quite a difficult conversation today with some residents in the Weoley area of Northfield. We were talking about how safe people feel in the local area. They told us that they didn't feel that safe for a number of reasons, including: young people riding quads up and down the road, a feeling that there were gangs of young people hanging round local streets, and suggestions that people were taking drugs in local parks.
What was interesting was that they obviously felt guilty for saying this. Northfield had a reputation, they said, for being a bit dodgy so they always tried to be positive about it. In particular, they tried not to repeat stereotypes and assumptions people have about young people.
This seems to be quite a common concern - local people are worried about gangs and young people taking drugs, but don't want to make too big a deal out of it. Instead, they say they'd much prefer to see more things put on for young people in the local area. We've mentioned the Nafcaf whenever people have talked to us about this - if you have any other suggestions let us know.