STREET football is being used as a cover for antisocial behaviour in Axbridge, according to a resident who is calling for a ban on the game. Harry Mottram, of Old Church Road, says his family has been verbally abused and his property damaged by youths pla

STREET football is being used as a cover for antisocial behaviour in Axbridge, according to a resident who is calling for a ban on the game.Harry Mottram, of Old Church Road, says his family has been verbally abused and his property damaged by youths playing the game in his and other streets.He appealed to Axbridge Town Council for support at its monthly meeting in the town hall on Monday.He said: "Essentially why I have come is to ask for support from the council to endorse a plea on my behalf for the people of Axbridge to enforce the banning of football and other antisocial behaviour in our road and others around it. There has been vandalism and annoying behaviour committed in the last few months. I've written a letter to other residents to try to enforce this ban."The main trouble has been sparked off by boys playing in the road, which has in turn attracted older boys. It has caused damage to property and cars and made the area unsafe."As a family we have suffered abuse from these boys, footballs have been repeatedly kicked at our house and missiles and other disgusting items thrown at the house."Our cars have also been damaged and it's come to the point when I don't want to park in the street."I've seen and witnessed all this behaviour first hand. I've spoken to the young people and while some responded positively, some did not."I've spoken to the residents I know and all are sympathetic, but the situation is continuing to worsen, partly due to youths from outside the area coming in."I've talked to other residents about the problems and our family is not alone. I know it's a problem with other streets in town and there's a problem of young people using the school when it's shut."Street football must stop now. Some use it as a cover to cause trouble. Perhaps it can return later, but it must stop now. The park is only yards away. Since writing to other residents I've tackled a couple of groups of boys and they've reluctantly gone away. It has died down, but I suspect it's not the end of it."I'm asking for the support of the town council and police. It does carry weight with parents to say that we've got the support of the town council."The council resolved to support police in preventing antisocial behaviour.