Aid windfall for troubled estate

But as ward councillors toured the Dewsbury Moor streets to consider spending on items such as dropped kerbs, local people flagged up security as the main issue.

They told councillors that gangs roam the Pilgrim and Beckett areas ‘causing havoc’.

And 30-year-old resident Christine Cummins said CCTV was badly needed, especially along Beckett Lane.

But Dewsbury West councillors Mumtaz Hussain and Darren O’Donovan were unsure whether the Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing cash could be allocated for such purposes.

“But we will certainly look into your concerns,” said Coun O’Donovan.

The money has come from the KNH Narrowing the Gap fund and most will be spent in the Pilgrim and Beckett areas.

The councillors are suggesting work on metal fencing, dropped kerbs and solving problems of shared access on some homes. Coun O’Donovan said: “It is definitely their turn. Money has been spent elsewhere and this area has missed out.”

Coun Hussain added: “We will be going round asking people what they want and outlining our own plans. A scheme will be drawn up, tenders put out and work could start by the end of the year.”

Mrs Cummins complained of youths running amok at night, smashing the windows of parked cars.

“Fencing is certainly an issue, along with off-street parking,” she said. “I have lived here for 30 years and we have been missed out in the past.

“Pilgrim is a no-go area at night and Beckett is horrendous because of youths running wild. Gangs are all over.

“We need security cameras to capture what’s going on.”

Coun O’Donovan said: “It’s too early to say if any of this money can be spent on security, but we will look at the situation. And we urge residents to report all incidents to the police.”