It saddens me to write yet another post about anti-social behaviour in our once peaceful and beautiful village. Last night, a house on Overton Hill was targeted by two youths in what can only be described as a deliberate act of intimidation. The homeowners, watching from an upstairs window, saw one of the culprits standing back filming while the other, dressed in black and wearing a balaclava, approached the door and banged on it repeatedly. Both were dressed entirely in black, and one was notably wearing Nike gloves. This is not the first incident of its kind, and it leaves me questioning what has happened to our village. How has it come to this?
This isn’t the first time I’ve had to speak out about anti-social behaviour in Overton. In the past, I’ve written about similar incidents, and it seems the problem is not only persisting but escalating. These acts aren’t harmless pranks. They are calculated attempts to scare and intimidate residents, and they are completely unacceptable. For a community that has always been proud of its friendly, close-knit atmosphere, this behaviour feels like a betrayal of everything Overton stands for.
To the parents of these youths, I implore you to take action. Do you know where your children are? Do you know what they’re doing? It’s time to step up and hold them accountable. The actions of a few are tearing at the fabric of our community. These “little devils,” as some villagers have started calling them, are not only causing distress and fear but also tarnishing the reputation of Overton. This is a wonderful village with so much community spirit and charm, but that spirit is being eroded by these repeated incidents. It has to stop, and it starts at home.
One question I find myself asking repeatedly is: where are the police? What are they doing to address these issues? Two months ago, I reached out to our local Police Community Support Officer to arrange a meeting and discuss these ongoing problems. To this day, I have received no response. This lack of communication is deeply frustrating and only adds to the growing sense among villagers that our concerns are being ignored. When residents feel that their voices aren’t being heard or their safety isn’t being prioritized, it’s no wonder frustration and anger begin to build.
We need real action to address this. It’s not just about catching those responsible for last night’s incident—it’s about preventing these behaviours from happening in the first place. Overton should be a place where everyone feels safe in their homes, free from fear of harassment or intimidation. As a community, we need to come together and demand solutions. We need a more visible police presence, especially during evenings and weekends, and we need to ensure that parents are taking responsibility for their children’s actions. Silence and inaction will only embolden those who seek to harm and disrupt our village.
To those affected by last night’s incident, know that you are not alone. Many of us are feeling the same frustration and concern about what is happening to our village. But we must stand together to make sure Overton remains the wonderful, welcoming place we all know and love. It’s time for us to demand action and work collectively to protect the community we cherish. Let’s not allow the actions of a few to define us. Overton is better than this.