Firms urged to support campaign

LOCAL businesses are being called upon to provide support for a campaign tackling the problem of muggings and gang violence among teenagers in the district. Following an appeal for help in the Herts Advertiser, concerned mother Samantha Croft has been co

LOCAL businesses are being called upon to provide support for a campaign tackling the problem of muggings and gang violence among teenagers in the district.

Following an appeal for help in the Herts Advertiser, concerned mother Samantha Croft has been contacted by various people, including the police, who want to join her in encouraging society to stand up to gangs.

She has become increasingly worried about the number of muggings and assaults she has heard about in St Albans, especially since gangs have stolen her son's mobile phone on three occasions in the last few years.

Samantha, from Park Street, believes that a large number of the crimes are going unreported and youngsters are not providing statements because they are afraid of repercussions.

So the next step of the campaign called, It's a Mug's Game, is to provide anonymous questionnaires to all teenagers in secondary schools in the district so the real scale of the problem can be measured.

But with more than 10,000 copies needed urgently, Samantha is looking for help from a local printing company or funding from other businesses.

She wants to get all of the questionnaires into schools at the beginning of next term so that the students can complete them before the exam season starts.

Samantha is also looking for local councillors, Neighbourhood Watch co-rdinators and the public or other local bodies to get involved in the campaign.

Additionally, she would welcome suggestions on what youngsters could do in their spare time as she feels this is the main root of the problem.

If anyone can help Samantha or speak to her about their own experiences they are asked to contact her on 07877 389166 or by e-mail on croftfamily13@btinternet.com