by Gráinne Connolly
Derry City and Strabane District Councillor, Mickey Cooper has condemned recent damage to locks which were installed by the council at his request to prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the Rosemount area of Derry-Londonderry.
The locks were installed at the gate at the top of the 'zig zag' steps, at the bottom of the Creggan Burn Park to stop a number of streets from being used as "rat run" by groups engaged in ASB in the area.
At the councillor's request, the gates were also being locked on Friday and Saturday evenings during the winter months, until new lighting was installed in the area and to stop the location being used as a gathering point in the future.
Mr Cooper told Q Radio that this idea was universally welcomed by residents, particularly those in the Lower Nassau, Grafton and Florence Street areas:
As a result, the council has agreed to install additional casting to the gate and locks to prevent this from happening in the future.
Councillor Cooper makes it clear that these "residents are entitled to live their lives in peace" says he is determined to ensure this.
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