Older Kids Caught Vaping and Bullying Toddlers at Dromore Park Play Area

Residents of Dromore, Co. Down, are calling for action after a deeply concerning incident at the local play park, where older children were reported to have been vaping, offering vapes to toddlers, and throwing water at young children during the late afternoon hours.

The incident, which was shared on the Dromore (Co. Down) Notice Board Facebook group, was posted by an anonymous parent who described witnessing children aged between 9 and 11 behaving in a threatening and inappropriate manner at the park’s play tower.

According to the post, two young individuals, one wearing a grey hoodie with long brown hair and another in a black hoodie and black leggings with brown hair in a bun, were identified as the culprits. The behaviour reportedly took place between 4 pm and 6 pm.

The post quickly gained attention after a mother, Stacey Walker, confirmed that her own children had been directly targeted.

Families Speak Out as Antisocial Behaviour Continues in the Park

The incident appeared to be part of a wider pattern of antisocial behaviour in the park.

Anonymous participant 651 reported a separate incident earlier that same weekend, stating that three young lads were drinking Buckfast in the play area while young children were trying to use the equipment.

Anonymous participant 892 also recalled a similar experience weeks prior, saying two girls aged around 11 to 13 were shouting profanities on the climbing frame while she was there with her young daughter.

Community members were quick to respond with frustration. Anonymous participant 937 did not hold back, writing that the children needed firmer discipline from their parents, adding that the world had gone too soft compared to previous generations.

Jason Mc Cleery echoed this sentiment, saying young people today have no fear of their parents or adults in general.

Questions were also raised about where children that age were obtaining vapes. Ruth Davidson asked directly where they were sourcing them, with one anonymous commenter suggesting the parents could be responsible.

Nicola Frazer urged parents to contact the relevant school and even suggested naming and shaming the children publicly, noting how intimidating they can be within the park environment.

However, the original poster clarified that the children were not in school uniform and expressed reluctance to photograph other people’s children.

Community Divided Over Who Bears Responsibility

Anonymous participant 301 raised an additional concern, noting that secondary school classes are regularly brought to the park by teachers, and that families with young children have begun avoiding the area entirely because of teenagers behaving recklessly.

Georgina Noble stressed that the behaviour at the park was a reflection of how these children conduct themselves at home, suggesting the proper authorities needed to step in.

Meanwhile, Wannita Broome reminded the group that after school hours, responsibility for children falls solely on the parents rather than the school system.

Anonymous participant 912 added that many parents may be unaware or unwilling to accept that their own children are involved, noting that large groups of unsupervised young people as young as 11 were seen shouting abuse and drinking in the area on weekends.

The post has sparked a broader conversation in Dromore about parental accountability, park safety, and the growing accessibility of vapes among underage children.

Many residents agree that unless parents take responsibility and the proper authorities get involved, the issue is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.