Teenagers up to no good Wandsworth Common?

Denwand · Postby **Denwand** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:09 pm

Hi.
I have heard a lot recently about teenagers meeting up on the strip of Wandsworth Common that runs along Bellvue Road.

Apparently the availability of booze and snacks from Sainsbury's Local and Rusts and the fact that they can be invisible from the road if they base themselves about 20m into the common (ie on the shadows) is proving a bit of a draw. My youngest tells me it attracts teenagers at the weekend from miles around, Tooting, Furzedown etc.

Luckily my youngest (16 year old), having visited twice, is not that interested - and 99% seems to be harmless teenage fun away from prying adults eyes.

However a local resident told me of bottles being broken , rubbish being strewn and a in more sinister turn, older and more delinquent elements are beginning to turn up fro nefarious reasons.

Anyone heard anything about this or have teenagers involved?

Seb · Postby **Seb** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:21 pm

Yes, have also heard and the dinner party circuit has been buzzing with it over last few weeks.

TBH I don't think it's any worse than usual, I seem to remember a phase about five years ago when there seemed to be millions of them on there but I had heard it had got more popular recently.

I think some of the shops have got into problems for selling drink to under ages so I hope the supply will fade away but it is rather intimidating

Denwand · Postby **Denwand** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 5:40 pm

Thanks Seb.

I must admit my 16 year old told me on a couple of occasions that she was "meeting friends on the common" which had me nonplussed since I knew the friends in question lived in Putney!

However if your teenagers say that you will know what they mean in future

this_is_cat · Postby **this_is_cat** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 7:20 am

Isn't getting up to no good in a park a rite of passage for teenagers?
Leaving litter, including glass, makes them indistinguishable from picnicking adults - the state of the common on a Monday after a sunny weekend is a total disgrace.

Harbut · Postby **Harbut** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 8:34 am

Spot-quiz: Which of these options would you like your teenager to suggest?

"Hi Dad, I'm going to my room to play on Xbox".
"Hi Dad, I'm going into Soho / Kings Road / Brixton / the pub to see some mates, we won't be drinking...honest".
"Hi Dad, nobody wants to hang out with me, can I hang out with you".
"Hi Dad, I'm going to Wandsworth Common, in the open, where everyone can see me, to meet some friends" (and probably attempt to buy a can of beer if we're lucky).

I think it's great we've got Wandsworth Common on our doorstep and our kids want to go there. Yup, would love them to pick up after themselves but I know I was a bit rubbish at their age too.

Squinkle · Postby **Squinkle** » Wed Jun 17, 2015 9:12 am

I grew up in the area and used to be one of these teenagers 15 *ahem* years ago... I completely agree with this_is_cat; if you pass the common after a sunny weekend, everyone has left it in an absolutely disgusting state for someone else to clear up. Also, couldn't agree with you more, Harbut.

I hope the fact that the teenagers choose to hang out on the grass, next to a main road, opposite busy shops/restaurants/cafes may put your fears to rest; if they were getting up to no good they would choose a different location! It's a good central location for children who go to school in Wandsworth/Putney, far less dodgy than Putney Heath!

victoriaedwards123 · Postby **victoriaedwards123** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:51 pm

Agree with the dad above, (Well said!) Although I worry about our teenagers, they really are at that age where there is not much for them to do or many places that they can go to relax with their friends in a group.

I live locally to the area and do see what they are up to and it is all fairly usual stuff.

My real worry is the shop on Bellevue road who, my son says, sells them all alcohol and individual cigarettes. I think this should be investigated - who do I ring? Does anyone know?

Goldhawk · Postby **Goldhawk** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 4:01 pm

You can ring 101 or tweet the local police @MPSBatterseaSgt

rooting4tooting · Postby **rooting4tooting** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 7:11 am

Teenagers hanging about on the common on a warm sunny evening. whatever next?
Eating snacks and trying to buy booze? I didn't do that in my day. I had a tall friend to do it for me (thanks Dave). I took my dog for a lot of eveing walks in those days, coming home with bleary eyes (me, not the dog)