Q. Our youth project is next to a skate and BMX park that appears to have been taken over by a group of older men who dominate the space and leave it untidy. Some parents have complained and even suggested the men could be "paedophiles". How should we tackle this?
Tracie Trimmer-Platman: Sweeping statements like "they could be paedophiles" are harmful and unhelpful. BMX and skate boarding attract a wide range of people - old and young - and this sounds more like an issue around sharing space.
There must be someone who oversees the park who could help. It may be the younger users are inspired by the older ones and feel that they can learn from them. However, there needs to be a system in place to ensure the young people can use the park for their own practice without feeling intimidated or pushed out.
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