The city council is surprised and disappointed that you should have seen fit to carry a story (Skate Park Causes Anti-Social Row) last week about the skate park at St John s Road recreation ground based on an anonymous call and without contacting us. Ther

The city council is surprised and disappointed that you should have seen fit to carry a story (Skate Park Causes Anti-Social Row) last week about the skate park at St John's Road recreation ground based on an anonymous call and without contacting us.

There is no evidence directly linking the low level of anti-social behaviour in the St John's Road area with the skate park, particularly not in the small hours of the morning. However, like the neighbouring playground, it will occasionally become the target of local trouble-makers.

On the other hand, as local residents have told us, the new facility is proving very popular with young people who can be seen enjoying themselves harmlessly on their skateboards and bikes during daylight hours.

At the same time, we are aware that there has always been a rowdy local element that has been causing varying amounts of trouble in the area for many years. The council is therefore working with CCTV operators and the police with a view to curtailing their activities.

We hope that the majority of people living in and around St John's Road will support our efforts to provide new and modern leisure facilities and will play their part in protecting them and the neighbourhood from a small minority of hooligans.

John Ison

Mayor of the City of Ely

Editor's Note: Although the original call was anonymous, a local newspaper has a duty to check out this form of information as best we can.

You will also know that a significant number of stories come from people who do not wish to be identified and to disregard them would be a huge disservice to the local population.

The responsible course of action, the one we took, was to speak to the local residents' group and ask them to offer a reassurance to local people that this was not a stance they were supporting. We also feel that if someone comes to us and tells us that an individual or group is proposing to commit a criminal act it is a matter for the local police, not the city council.

Some of the responses to the skate park have been negative, but I wish to take this opportunity to say as a newspaper we try to reflect local concerns and we welcome all comment. I am happy to hear from people from both sides of the debate surrounding this new facility.

Debbie Davies

Editor