LABOUR’S Deputy Leader visited the Spen Valley yesterday to meet residents and discuss the party’s plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in smaller towns and villages.
Angela Rayner was welcomed to Firth Park in Heckmondwike, on a blustery afternoon, where she spoke with residents discussing the ongoing issues in the town whilst playing a round of bowls.
After speaking with local Councillor Viv Kendrick, residents and businesses, Ms Rayner said: “It’s important that we invest in small towns; similar concerns are raised in my own constituency.
“We’ve seen massive cuts in spending in several areas including the police and that has led to an increase in anti-social behaviour.
“We need to create spaces for people like Viv has done with the skate park and invest in quality equipment so that parents don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on a family day out whilst we are in a cost-of-living crisis.”
Kim Leadbeater, MP for Batley and Spen, said: “It’s good to have Angela visiting us today; we are an area made up of small towns and villages and sadly people feel like they have been forgotten about.
“She’s a really key person in the Labour party alongside Lisa Nandy who’s working on Levelling Up and myself - we know and understand local communities.
“It’s important that she’s here today, listening to local people and making sure that their voices and issues are heard in Westminster.”
Heckmondwike, like many other areas of Kirklees and England, struggles with anti-social behaviour. In recent weeks, a local park that is undergoing renovation was targeted by yobs.
Councillor Kendrick (Lab, Heckmondwike) said: “Every town has its problems, and we need to work with local authorities to tackle them.
“To have nice spaces for people to use, we need to make sure that they are respected by everyone in the area.
“Heckmondwike is a lovely little town but sadly the behaviour of a small minority of selfish people risks spoiling it for everybody else. I have been dealing with a lot of incidents of violence, vandalism, and crime, including drug-taking, in and around the park. I was pleased to provide funds from my budget to boost policing in the area and this has had a significant impact on driving offences.
“Local community groups and businesses have been rallying round to play their part, and I’m pleased that we have now secured an extra £1.5 million to invest in the town in the coming months. With this new investment, I’m confident Heckmondwike will have an even brighter future.”
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