Welcome to the safe streets of Gloucester
More than 30 yobs and beggars have been removed from Gloucester city centre under new police powers.
Community and business groups are now calling for the tough measures to be extended.
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A six-month dispersal order was launched in December in response to claims that yob behaviour was on the rise.
But, half-way through the order figures show that officers have issued 34 ‘direction to leave notices’ to people behaving in an anti-social manner.
Barry Leach, Chairman of Gloucester City Centre Partnership said: “ I have certainly noticed a difference in the daytime. We no longer have people gathering and behaving inappropriately or begging in the streets.
“I am not sure how it is being deployed at night but I think it is working.”
The order, with covers Barton Street to Pool Meadow in Westgate, and from Estcourt Road down to Stroud Road, allows police or PCSOs to order groups out of the city for 24 hours if they believe the public are at risk of being harassed, alarmed or distressed.
Anyone who stays in the area or returns after being told to leave faces a fine of up to £5,000 or up to three months imprisonment.
Mark Owen, chairman of the Gloucester branch of the Federation of Small Businesses and Marketing Gloucester Ltd, said he was pleased with the dispersal order.
He said: “We approve any measures taken to ensure that people have a pleasant retail experience in the city.
“Any measure to ensure that happens is positive.”
However, members of the public said they had noticed a big change since the law was bought in.
Geri Fanning, 25, from St Paul’s Road, Gloucester, a part-time receptionist, said: “I haven’t really noticed any changes, but then I tend to mind my own business.”
Joan Harvey, 62, from Linden, works in sales for Marks & Spencer. She said: “I’ve never felt threatened on the streets of Gloucester but I don’t go around at night.
Sainey Njie, 27, is a student in Gloucester. He said: “I’ve always felt safe on the streets. I don’t go out often, just to church and the youth clubs. I’ve only seen a few people in intimidating groups. I mostly feel sorry for them that they’re nowhere else to go at that time of night.”
Lin Day, 55, of Gloucester Docks, said: “I’ve moved here from Bristol four years ago and Gloucester feels very safe to be. I’ve never felt uncomfortable walking around the city streets.
“As an ex youth worker I’m concerned that a lot of people see groups of teenagers as automatically intimidating, so I hope it’s a genuine reason for dispersal.”
The dispersal order was set-up for six months after a number of incidents including problems at Gloucester library.
In November vandals smashed 14 windows in a week at Gloucester’s city centre facility.
A Gloucestershire Constabulary spokesman said the dispersal order could be extended if need be.
She said: “A dispersal order was introduced across Gloucester City Centre in December to tackle anti-social behaviour in the area.
“The order will stay in place for a period of six months and after this time it's success will be reviewed and a decision will be made about any future police action.
“Since its introduction, officers have issued 34 'direction to leave notices' to people behaving in an anti-social manner.”
89 Comments
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by Kath, Chelt
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:08PM
“I can honestly say that as an incomer to the area, I have never, ever encountered such a complete bunch of purile,pathetic morons as you Glos vs Chelt lot. What a sad waste of skin you all are, spouting this playground tosh every time there's a chance. You all live in a much better place than a lot of people, so ffs GROW UP!!!”
by Nick, Gloucester
Thursday, March 18 2010, 10:08AM
“Terry is making perfect sense.”
by Terry, Cheltenham and Gloucester
Thursday, March 18 2010, 8:43AM
“I own two retail outlets in both Chelt and Glos. To be brief, my Gloucester shop makes more money. The customers in Glos are less headache to deal with and are more willing to spend. Even young kids in Glos seem to have more spending power compared to the adults in Chelt. Also, my staff have experienced less trouble in the Gloucester branch. In Chelt, you have the extreme of both ends - you get the fit for nothing snobby stuck up type who have arrogance for no reason, and then you get the dirty chavs from the council estates who do not have 20p in their pocket. I live in London by the way.”
by Sam, Neutral, Here and There
Thursday, March 18 2010, 12:36AM
“After reading the article and all of the comments, i must say, that the cheltenham is better than gloucester and vice versa is so childish its unreal... both have their ups and downs... Yes cheltenham is more pleasing to the eye (and nose to some) but like ALL places they have a certain down sides... Yes gloucester has the catherderal and the docks ect but gloucester also has places wich aren't so good... I do not agree or disagree with any comments in regards to this article, MOST have some sort of valid point. To be honest it's all about perception. Obviously people living in Cheltenham are going to say that its better than Gloucester and vice Versa... It doesn't matter which one is better it's all about the potential of the place... as for some of the comments about Google Maps, i do not think you can judge a place by photos on a computer programme... as for the "chuggers" im sure EVERY town/city has them... yes they are annoying and on "the cross" in gloucester they are like vultures but they are there for a good cause and thats what you must remember before using them as ammo in a silly arguement about which place is better. Im sure Cheltenham has them as well... As for the smell... i have lived in Gloucester for a while now and haven't smelt anything bad... only when they are dredging the docks it does smell a bit... in regards to the Waterways Museum.. Gloucesters' one isn't the only one to be de-classified but hey ho. just to summerise...
Bot Cheltenham and Gloucester have their own Pros and Cons but ultimatly its up to the individuals taste and where they feel the safest. I'm all up for people airing their views but please keep it civil and to the point not side tracking about "brown Bins" and "Smell" this article is about the Police making streets a safer place, whats so wrong about that?
I'm all up for critisism but if you're going to be offencive don't bother!”
by Roger Mee, In Pitville Park
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 10:36PM
“Cheltenham is a far more superior place than Gloucester, as are the people.
The only time I would ever go to Gloucester would be to get my car back.”
by Arthur Smith, WC1
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 7:41PM
“Claire, Cheltenham
Derrrrrr...you started the racist insults by saying you felt scared in Barton, an ethnic area of Gloucester.”
by WML, Stroud
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 7:34PM
“I'm so glad that I live in nice little old Stroud! I can only hope these undesirables dont' come here!”
by Transgendered Johnny, Twigworth
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 6:08PM
“The figures just don't lie. Average house price in Gloucester £165,000 and in Cheltenham £270,000. Gloucester is trying hard to promote its retail sector but is basically a bit of a dump still.”
by a,t, v
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:51PM
“They round up the beggars in Beijing every now and then, I think they usually turn up in a land fill, its a poor reflection on Gloucester in my opinion, live and let live but always have a care for the homeless and vulnerable amongst us. The homeless and often insane beggars are easy to spot but who decides on who is a yob? Why don't they make them wear a big yellow star.”
by Lord Charles, CHELT
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:45PM
“If A-----e Neil dos'nt like Cheltenham why stay here?.”