By Any Means Necessary: Dirty Tricks in Britain’s War Against Teenagers
4. Anti-teen Steps
Stairs and low walls often become makeshift seats for teenagers, but they do not have to. With some clever engineering and some moderate construction expenses, stairs can be made much less comfortable to sit upon. A council in Surrey chose to do modify stairs in an area of Rosehill that was known as ‘The Steps.’ The modifications involved making the steps lower, longer and without a handrail (which could encourage leaning).
At the moment the steps are like ready-made seats so changes will be made to make the area less attractive to young people.
Verdict: Aesthetically challenged success! The pictures below were taken in Devon, where a similar design was used. While the long, low steps did discourage sitting, they were very difficult to spot, especially by cyclists moving at speed, and as a result the location of the steps had to be indicated with white paint.
Are you nuts…you underestimate teens…and why are you SO frightened of them?!
While the jury is still out as to whether I am officially nuts or not I can tell you that I am not by any means frightened by teens. It seems, however, that authorities in Britain are and that is what I was trying to put across with this article.
Jesus, powerful minds are at work trying to deter teens? Those steps are invisible. Geez a few bikers have HAD to break a fall there even with the lines. The spikes are just… wow… those last ones belong on maces. The lights, are you kidding me? Waaay overboard there for just teenagers. God… but the music technique is stupid. My friends and I would eventually like the music hahahaha.
With the music, I strongly believe people would grow immune or grow to like it. Michael Bolton or Kenny G on the other hand…
I agree with you Chris, if it was Michael Bolton or Kenny G I would leave the area but if it was country and western I would leave the city
While most country music doesn’t do it for me, I’ve always got time for The Man in Black.
San Quentin (Live in San Quentin)
Hurt
Even death metal fanatics can make time for some Johnny Cash. That guy was bad-ass!
Where are they supposed to go to hang out?
Maybe the solution is more youth-friendly space? More youth centres, rec centres, sports grounds, free gyms, use of community halls, school grounds etc.
Chasing teens away will make them resentful, and encourage antisocial behavior. Give them respect, and and expect them to act responsibly, and many will.
ANARCHY!!!!
are you kidding me?! do the people in power in the UK not remember what they did as teens?! why can’t they just let the teens enjoy their youth?! Seems to me like the “powers that be” are bitter that they can no longer enjoy themselves in the carefree way teens do. Using these tactics on kids that are actually causing a disturbance is what they should be doing. “without a handrail (which could encourage leaning).” are you F*#^ing kidding me?! the UK is looking more and more like Saddam’s Iraq. STOP HATEING YOUR KIDS YOU IDIOTS!!
P.S (to the author)
Good article!
Where I come from, the people who complain about other people’s perfectly ordinary behaviour (and lobby councils/write letters/generally make nuisances of themselves) are called NIMBYs (“Not in my backyard”). There’s enough of these lame-os in the world that, when communities get in the habit of listening to them, they can quickly play havoc.
Generally, NIMBYs are best when ignored. Eventually they go back to bitching to their wives, who are better equipped to ignore them.
Why do they want to discourage ‘groups of teens’?
It’s not like they’re doing any harm hanging out.
When I was younger, we used to chill places and never get complaints. When the police turn up it’s just pointless. I suppose you do get people who go out to cause trouble or whatever, but that’s in certain areas. Spending so much time and money on this ‘issue’ is unnecessary.
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I really don’t get why anyone between 20 and 13 are treated with such disrespect. Most adults judge teens simply because they are in that year group. Watch “V for Vendetta” – it’s basically what’s happening but a whole lot worse. Basically they’re watered down Nazis – a political group, who are prejudice against a certain group for no, or hardly any, reason. I bet they just love coming up with new and different ideas and inventions to course discomfort to teens. Besides they’re kind of shooting themselves in the foot because my 35 year friend has acne and he gets really embarrassed to go near the pink lights and two of my other (adult) friends can hear the Mosquitos (besides, they say that the things aren’t THAT annoying).
Why is it so bad that young people have a social life, get out doors and see their friends – I’ve already heard rumors of a teen-only curfew.
Great article though.