Chief reporter JACK TOLSON delves into the Chronicle archives of 30 years ago ...
COUNCIL MAY USE SNOOPERS TO TARGET BAD TENANTS
PROFESSIONAL snoopers could soon be drafted into Barnsley housing estates to keep an eye on problem tenants.
The controversial £20,000 scheme is being considered by councillors in an effort to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
It is the latest in a series of tough measures brought in by the council to improve life on estates.
They include new tenancy regulations brought in last year which spell out tenants’ responsibilities.
The snoopers would be drafted in from outside the area, putting nuisance tenants under surveillance.
They would pose as tenants and use their time on the estate to amass evidence which could be used in future court proceedings.
Deputy leader Steve Houghton said: “We are examining proposals for a professional witness scheme to deal with problems on council estates.
“Any professional witnesses would be from well outside the area and would be employed only once.”
TEENAGER CHASES ROBBERS TO RECOVER HANDBAG
BRAVE teenager Damian Wroe chased robbers for half a mile - then forced them to hand over a handbag stolen from a pensioner.
He went to help Margaret Stephenson after she was approached from behind by two men.
Damian was talking to friends when he answered her cry for help and gave chase.
She revealed her bag contained £100 which she was planning to spend on new wallpaper for her home.
The pensioner said: “Words cannot express how grateful I am to Damian and his friends.
“I was absolutely terrified.
“It was a complete nightmare for me but he saved the day in the end.”
Damian said: “I heard her shout and saw these men running away and have chase.”
To show her gratitude, she offered Damian and his friends a cash reward but they refused to accept it.
COUNCIL LOOKS TO CAMELOT TO STRAIGHTEN OUT LEANING TOWER
IT’S always been known as the leaning tower of Locke Park.
But something strange has happened in the past year - it’s started leaning the other way.
Over the years mining subsidence has ravaged the foundations, making it unsafe and sightseers have been barred from climbing the steps to sample the views from the observation balcony.
But last summer’s long drought was the last straw - it caused more ground movement.
Now the tower is 22 inches askew.
A council spokesman said: “In the last year it has leaned to the left and then to the right.”
Now officials are applying for £125,000 of Lottery cash to carry out repairs.
