The picnic table in St Peter’s Park (Churchfield Lane, Radford) is directly opposite the houses of Radford Grove Lane and has increasingly become a hub for anti-social behaviour that is distressing for the residents of Radford Grove Lane, who have to witness it on a daily basis. Examples of this behaviour are: 1) groups of people consuming alcohol from early in the morning until late at night, resulting in them becoming inebriated, loud, aggressive and often unconscious. There is an off-licence very nearby on Churchfield Lane, so drinkers often spend house, sometimes the whole day, drinking in the park; 2) urinating in the park, often directly in view of the houses; 3) large quantities of litter are being left, including barbecues. The residents of Radford Grove Lane would like something done about this, and we think that this behaviour would be drastically reduced if the picnic table was removed.
Started by: Julie Francis
On reaching 1 signatures the head of the relevant department will be made aware of the matter.
This Paper petition was received on 04/08/2020.
18 people signed this Paper petition.
I refer to your petition submitted to Nottingham City Council on 13 July 2020 relating to Anti-Social Behaviour taking place at St Peter’s Park, Radford.
Firstly, I would like to thank you for bringing this matter to our attention and coming together as a community to express your concerns. Anti-Social Behaviour can impact people in many different ways and we always take a strong stance in tackling unacceptable behaviour in the community.
I understand your concerns to be: 1) groups of people congregating on the park at unsociable hours, consuming alcohol, creating a noise nuisance and acting in an aggressive manner.; 2) public urination on the park grounds; 3) large accumulations of litter.
It is also my understanding that in your view these issues are exacerbated by the existence of a public picnic table within the park, which is contributing to the gathering of groups.
Community Protection is the Regulatory and Enforcement department of Nottingham City Council and as such shares responsibility for addressing a number of these issues.
In response to your petition suggesting the removal of the picnic table, this has been sent to colleagues within the Parks and Open Spaces service of the Council and they have agreed to remove it as soon as possible.
In response to the Anti-Social Behaviour and litter complaint, I have tasked the local Community Protection team to carry out extra high-visibility public reassurance patrols and to tackle any aspect of Anti-Social Behaviour that they encounter. This will include the confiscation of alcohol utilising the Public Space Protection Order and the issuing of Fixed Penalty Notices for littering.
In addition to this I have also tasked the Community Protection Anti-Social Response vehicle to pay attention to the location throughout the evenings and into the night.
During this time, Community Protection Officers will gather intelligence and take a zero tolerance approach to any person causing Anti-Social Behaviour and distress to local residents.
I fully understand that the reported Anti-Social Behaviour impacts on the quality of life of local residents and it saddens me to hear that our open spaces are being used in this way. Please rest assured that Community Protection will be taking direct action and we will use the full force of our legislative powers to put an end to this behaviour.
In addition to the above, I have escalated these concerns to the joint Council and Police Anti-Social Behaviour tasking group, as well as highlighting the matter to the local Police Inspector for the area.
I trust that my actions on this matter are welcomed by residents and that you and the rest of the community will be able to enjoy our open spaces as intended.
Yours sincerely,
James Douglas
Acting Head of Service - Uniformed Services
james.douglas@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk