A FURIOUS father hit out at officials for banning his children playing on grass outside his home asking: "where are they supposed to play?"Keith Riches spoke out after the council sent him a letter saying tenants living near Conway Close have complained about youths playing football near their homes.

A FURIOUS father hit out at officials for banning his children playing on grass outside his home asking: "where are they supposed to play?"

Keith Riches spoke out after the council sent him a letter saying tenants living near Conway Close have complained about youths playing football near their homes.

The letter, to parents of a number of youths in the area, said if ball games or other nuisance activity continues legal action will be taken.

Shocked Mr Riches, 41, of Conway Close, Ipswich, said: "I just can't believe it. It is not as if my children are out playing football day in day out.

"There are no signs up round here saying they can't play football. What are my children meant to do now?"

He said his children, aged eight, 11 and 15, kick a ball against his conifers, but denied they caused a nuisance saying: "I have brought my children up to be respectful of other people's property and things."

"What are they (children) supposed to do these days? I think this whole thing has got out of hand.

"Are they (Ipswich Borough Council) now going to stop children playing all together?

"When can children play without making any noise. It says what they can't do, but doesn't say what they can do."

Karen Loweman, tenancy services manager for Ipswich Borough Council, said the situation has been monitored and other parents of youths have been informed.

"There were reports of balls hitting windows up to three times in one hour and garden plants being damaged by the games," she said.

"Ipswich Borough Homes is committed to reducing nuisance and anti-social behaviour and has written a letter to the parents of youths in the area to advise that ball games or other activity which may cause a nuisance is prohibited and will no longer be tolerated.

"If it continues, legal action will be taken."

There was a park close to Conway Close where youngsters can play, she said.

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