'Drunk students' blamed for running over cars in Cheltenham
ANGRY resident Robert Adcock says his neighbourhood has been plagued with 'drunks' running over cars, throwing bollards around and kicking off car wing mirrors.
Mr Adcock said the problems in Cambray Mews and Wellington Street had been going on for three years. He has blamed university students.
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Wellington Street
The 43-year-old said: "It is a shame that a lovely town like Cheltenham has been blighted by out of control students, drunk men and woman, but as much as I like the town I am desperate to leave, especially with a baby son in the house.
"For nine months we have been trying to sell our house at a reduced price, but several people have told us that the reputation of the town centre puts them off buying here.
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"When I take my baby son and dog to the park I have had to detour into the street to avoid the mess. It is strewn with bollards, takeaway food wrappers and an upturned wheelie bin.
"Some other incidents have included our for sale board being ripped off twice, people running over cars and kicking off wing mirrors, urinating in the Mews, throwing bollards around and tipping over our full recycling bin."
The father-of-three said he was regularly woken up by people shouting between 2am and 5am.
The former carpenter turned house husband believes the culprits are of student age. He said the anti-social behaviour got worse during term time, and despite the ongoing problem, he rarely saw a patrolling police officer.
"I haven't tried to ring the police, because I honestly think what is the point," he said.
"We see the damage in the morning and even if we're woken up they would be long gone when the police get here so it seems a waste of their time as well."
But Gloucestershire police said they were being proactive and trying to address the issues in the area.
Sergeant Tim Hutchinson, said: "We are aware of the concerns regarding the behaviour of young people and students in the area, which seems to be at its worst on Monday nights.
"We've been working with Cheltenham Borough Council, the Cheltenham Safe organisation, owners of the nightclubs near there and the university to address the situation.
"We carry out foot patrols in the hotspot areas very regularly and now also run a scheme with the university which involves a number of second and third year students who have been specially trained and equipped to carry out patrols in the town centre on Monday nights and encourage their fellow students to behave more responsibly."
Comments
by Ms_Superstar
Monday, October 01 2012, 12:26AM
“Actually, 999 is the number to dial if you see (or are a victim of) a crime actually being committed. They can take up to a month to respond to 101 calls, by which time the crims have long gone, details have been forgotten etc.”
by FreeRadical1
Friday, September 28 2012, 4:06PM
“You don't have to use the 101 number for the police. You can reach their contact centre by dialling 01452 728199. This number is free from some phones, depending on your contract. Very few people seem to know the number, and it isn't advertised. I was given it by a PCSO years ago as an alternative to the 0845 number that they used to have, which was really expensive to call from mobiles.”
by Nogman
Friday, September 28 2012, 2:15PM
“Neuropsychopharmacologist, that should have been.”
by Nogman
Friday, September 28 2012, 2:11PM
“I read in the Times the other day that the town of Ipswich is looking at introducing a voluntary ban on sales of strong beers and ciders from supermarkets and other off-licences (as suggested in his most excellent read by neuropsychophamacologist Professor David Nutt). This is supported by Tesco, among others.
I wish them well with this, I hope it catches on in the rest of the country and I think it's a pity that Cheltenham didn't have the gumption to think of it first.”
by Ms_Superstar
Thursday, September 27 2012, 2:00PM
“At first glance, this is an article about Mr Adcock's frustration at not being able to get the price he wants for his property because of the reputation of lawlessness perhaps deservedly attributed to Cheltenham.
However, disregarding the fact that there's a recession on, which probably also affects the value of Mr Adcock's property, the article does highlight some deeper issues. Why is Cheltenham such a lawless town? And is it any worse than other parts of the country? Yes, a lot of offending happens under cover of darkness, some involves alcohol and some is committed by students, but litterbugs, pavement cyclists and dog foulers are also around during the day, and most are stone-cold sober. I think part of the answer lies in lack of any appropriate deterrent - including the remote possibility of being caught. I think Alfredo, noodledoodles and charles4676 have hit the nail on the head - we do need the police to be more motivated and more professional. Sitting in a car parked behind the old Woolworths building, chomping on a sandwich, is not a good image for any police officer. She's not going to catch many offenders like that (though there was a parked car illegally obstructing the pavement not 20 yards away).
Charles4676 mentions a half-full can being thrown at his car. Never mind cars; a few years ago, I had a half-full can thrown at me. Followed swiftly by a BRICK, for pity's sake. I managed to escape my attackers and get home without serious injury, but as I opened my front door, the same brick was again thrown through my neighbours' window. Fortunately, my neighbours had gone to bed and were not hurt, but I dread to think what would have happened if they or their new-born baby had been in the firing-line.
The police did send someone to take a statement - four weeks later - but did not pursue the crime. They would not have turned out at all if it had simply been a case of criminal damage. To give him his due, Cheltenham's Inspector Roberts did say (on an unrelated occasion) that the CPS will not bring cases to court unless the evidence is rock solid (i.e. the offenders have been caught red-handed) but I wasn't even given the opportunity of an ID parade. In my job, I still have to put in the effort, even when the chances of success are slim - why are the police any different?”
by mr_chelt
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 8:00PM
“student trouble”
by charles4676
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 7:49PM
“I'm afraid this ain't 'news' any more - because it happens the whole time! Plod ain't really interested - it even costs you to report it because the contact centre is on a premium rate number! I had an 'incident' where a yob threw a half full can of strongbow - which hit my car causing £500 worth of damage (well, that was only the excess). Plod SOCO actually gets great dabs off it and they find the miscreant.... who (surprise!) is 'known to them'. Miscreant says he was so ****ed he can't remember nuffink, so Plod feels sorry for him and doesn't prosecute in case they damage his self-esteem. I demand his details for a civil prosecution, but no!, Plod can't give them to me as that would adversely damage aforesaid miscreant's 'human rights'. What the hell about mine??”
by charles4676
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 7:49PM
“I'm afraid this ain't 'news' any more - because it happens the whole time! Plod ain't really interested - it even costs you to report it because the contact centre is on a premium rate number! I had an 'incident' where a yob threw a half full can of strongbow - which hit my car causing £500 worth of damage (well, that was only the excess). Plod SOCO actually gets great dabs off it and they find the miscreant.... who (surprise!) is 'known to them'. Miscreant says he was so ****ed he can't remember nuffink, so Plod feels sorry for him and doesn't prosecute in case they damage his self-esteem. I demand his details for a civil prosecution, but no!, Plod can't give them to me as that would adversely damage aforesaid miscreant's 'human rights'. What the hell about mine??”
by charles4676
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 7:48PM
“I'm afraid this ain't 'news' any more - because it happens the whole time! Plod ain't really interested - it even costs you to report it because the contact centre is on a premium rate number! I had an 'incident' where a yob threw a half full can of strongbow - which hit my car causing £500 worth of damage (well, that was only the excess). Plod SOCO actually gets great dabs off it and they find the miscreant.... who (surprise!) is 'known to them'. Miscreant says he was so ****ed he can't remember nuffink, so Plod feels sorry for him and doesn't prosecute in case they damage his self-esteem. I demand his details for a civil prosecution, but no!, Plod can't give them to me as that would adversely damage aforesaid miscreant's 'human rights'. What the hell about mine??”
by SamYuan
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:47PM
“If you know for certain that it is students creating a nuisance or causing criminal damage, report it to the university accomodation office. Glos students have to sign up to an agreement when they use a house provided by either the university or a private house let through the university.
I had a problem a couple of years ago, and after a few stiff emails, I had an apology from the students involved, they paid for the damage they had caused and I was told they had been threatened with eviction and jeppodising their college placement should it reoccur.
Nobody should have to have their lives made a misery by young people out only to please themselves at whatever cost.. If you know it's definitely students and where they live REPORT THEM. It was worth it. Good Luck!”