THIS WEEK IN 1974: Objector blames the city's council for delinquency

City councillors were the main cause of juvenile delinquency in Portsmouth, according to JM Martin, one of the objectors to a development plan approved at a meeting of Portsmouth City Council.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2018, 06:00 BST
Some of the residents of Hilsea Crescent involved in the protest. From left, RG Chambers, RD Lidle, JH Martin and JW GibbonsSome of the residents of Hilsea Crescent involved in the protest. From left, RG Chambers, RD Lidle, JH Martin and JW Gibbons
Some of the residents of Hilsea Crescent involved in the protest. From left, RG Chambers, RD Lidle, JH Martin and JW Gibbons

Mr Martin said the council had ‘turned its back’ on the needs of young people in Portsmouth.

‘Councillors in Portsmouth are development mad,’ said Mr Martin, 73, of Hilsea Crescent.

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‘They build housing estate after housing estate and never stop to think of providing facilities for youngsters.

‘Unless they are active, children become bored.

‘They start to roam the streets and, inevitably, land themselves in trouble often ending in a juvenile court.

‘People immediately label them “delinquents” when, in fact, the city’s councillors are to blame. They are the culprits. They have turned their backs on the needs of youngsters in Portsmouth, and are pushing them into juvenile courts,’ he added.

Mr Martin was one of a three-man deputation of Hilsea Crescent residents at the council meeting who opposed a plan to develop nine acres of Portsmouth Grammar School’s playing fields at Hilsea.

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