Page 21 - link magazine

Letters to The Link The Link Magazine. March 1993 21
Letters should be sent by 16th of the month to the address on page 2. ROBERT JACK A.L.C.M.

The murder of James Bulger and the importance of reins Classical Guitar Tuition
From Sheila Mitchell , Moresboy Close, West lea
All ages welcome
The photograph taken from the se- the safety of their most valuable pos-
curity video of James Bulgar walk- session - their child. Graded exams encouraged
ing out of the Mothercare shop in Perhaps it is time that the PR peo-
Liverpool with an older boy should ple people got together and devised Tel: 782955/514055
be a poignant reminder to all par- an advertising campaign to enhance
ents of the vulnerability of our small the image of reins then maybe, there
children and their need for proper would be fewer cases of children RAY
protection by their parents. getting lost or injured. THE ODD
However, despite a number of MIZEN
incidents of children wandering Relatives for relatives JOB MAN
away or being taken by strangers From Facilitator, Brenda Hobbs
parents still seem to reluctant to put May I bring to your attention the Repairs To All Makes Small building work, carpentry,
their small children in reins. At least existence of 'Relatives forRelatives'. of Domestic
when a child is on reins parents This is a group of people who meet & Commercial joinery, painting & decorating,
have more control over their move- on a monthly basis to try and help fitted wardrobes and kitchens,
ments, but seldom does one see reins each other emotionally. Vacuum Cleaners plugs and washers fitted
these days. Instead one sees small 'Relatives for Relatives' is for tCollection and Delivery "No job too small"
childrenand toddlers wanderingaf- carers /relatives of people with men- Very reasonable prices
ter their parents in busy crowded tal health problems. We hope to 0793 881007
streets, shops and car parks. give each other emotional support Free estimates
It is a miracle that more small ma warm non-judgmentaland con- 33 Angus Close Call Tony, the Odd Job
children are not injured. Indeed it is fidential atmosphere at the Well Ramleaze Man on 0793 - 886022
interesting to note that many of the Woman Centre. West Swindon
same parents take more time and There is also a phone contact,
trouble over the security of their 770445 for anyone who needs help
motor vehicle than they do about between our meetings.
RON AHRENS Fhhlip
Police defend action to catch dealers BUILDER Stcne
DECORATOR
A police operation to catch drug dealers operating around the Link
Centre on 29 January has been criticised by teenagers and parents as FEIinter
designed to frighten young people rather than catch the pushers. Specialising in all aspects
But Swindon police say they were trying to catch drug and drink of high quality building 1eccuitcr
dealers and acting to prevent public disorder. work especially decorating, For a high standard of
Ice skaters at the regular Friday an intimidating prescence for users carpentry & plastering. work with references
disco session werebarred fmmleav- of the centre. "There have been available
ing the Link Centre bya cordon of 15 rumours of drug dealing in the area All work guaranteed.
policemen and women, and a police and we have a regular problem with No job too small. Telephone now for a
dog, by the libraryentrance. Around intoxicated teenagers, mainly on a Free estimates
150 teenagers from l2 years upwards Friday evening. Women walking FREE estimate.
were detained whilst police searched into and leaving the centre feel very Telephone: 692134 Tel: 870515
some of them. uncomfortable passing through a [West Swindon)
One teenager, who was unwill- largely male gathering of young
ing to be named, questioned the people. There is also an increasing
police action. "Everybody coming level of vandalism inside and out- HANDMADE FIREPLACES
out of the Link was held back. Some side the Centre, but as usual it's a IN BRICK OR STONE
of the younger ones had parents very small number of people spoil-
waiting for them and some people ing things for the majority." Profesionally built to
missed the bus home which must Sergeant Terry Cuss of the Swin- your exact requirements.
have put them in danger. I don't don Police North sub-division said
think it was very good public rela- his group had been keeping any eye Free design service.
tions exercise." on the Link Centre for a week and Tel: Swindon 535291
Another teenager said that press had become aware that public dis-
reports of gang warfare was non- turbance might take place on the
sense. He acknowledged that young Friday evening, "Wehavealsoheard
people gather outside the Link Cen- the rumours about drug dealing and
tre and the number grows before people selling alcohol to youngsters
and after the ice skating sessions. in the car park. We heard that some
A parent said that she was very kind of gang confrontation was
concerned about the focus of the planned and our intention was to
police action. "Nobody condones prevent this as well as identify deal-
drug dealing, but I feel that if the ers. The officers were briefed to deal High Street 1st Floor, Anglia House
police are looking for dealers, then with the young people sensitively Wroughton 115/118 Conunercial Road
surveillance and arrest is appropri- and I apologise for any distressed Swindon Swindon
ate. Stopping all the young people caused." Tel: (0793) 812588 Tel: (0793) 522688
coming out of the Link Centre seems Sgt. Cuss said the police would
heavy handed and designed to continue their prescence around the John Wilding at Wroughton
frighten, rather than to catch the Centre to deter dealers. and Peter Winton or Helen Raynes at Commercial Road
guilty individuals." The Link has heard reports of new will be pleased to attend to all your Legal needs.
Link Centre coordinator Roger faces appearing amongst the teen- Our Wroughton Office Is 10 minutes from West Swindon
Byrne said young people gathering agers hanging around local village and offers private carparklng for clients
in the car park by the library created centres since the police action.