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2:35pm Sunday 11th May 2008
Police have rejected calls to set up a "wet garden" for street drinkers just yards from their custody centre.
Senior politicians tabled the idea in a bid to rid Worthing seafront of aggressive drunks who have made beach shelters no-go zones for families.
Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley said the drinkers should be allowed to booze in a grassy area next to the town's police cells at the rear of Centenary House, Durrington.
He was backed by borough councillors Tom Wye and John Rogers, who both demanded that the drunks were cleared off the seafront so it could be reclaimed by residents and visitors.
They believed Centenary House was an ideal location because officers could keep a close watch on the drinkers.
Coun Wye said: "I can think of no better place."
Coun Rogers, the cabinet member for community safety, said: "I have made it absolutely crystal clear to the police that we don't want them on the seafront. We have suggested the grassy area outside Centenary House would be the ideal place."
Mr Bottomley said: "If people think there should be a place where certain behaviour should be tolerated in my view it should be out of sight behind the police headquarters at Centenary House, where they could be observed by the police, social services and other partnership agencies."
But Insp Howard Hodges dismissed the suggestion, stating: "There is no point putting a wet garden on the edge of the town where they won't be able to obtain the services they need."
The borough council recently fenced off a shelter opposite West Buildings after gangs of drunks took it over, some of them sleeping rough overnight.
Last year the council had to shut down three shelters, prompting claims that the police lost control of the situation, an accusation they refute.
The authorities estimated there was a hardcore of about 30 street drinkers in the town, but only a minority was homeless.
Following mounting public concern the police have drafted in a four-strong team - two constables and two community support officers - paying special attention to the problem.
Coun Rogers said: "We shall have to wait and see how it goes."
Coun Wye said: "If our residents and holidaymakers feel intimidated when they walk along the promenade something is wrong.
"Worthing is a seaside town, and drunks are ruining the promenade. It is not a minor issue. I believe it is a major issue. I am looking to the police to clear the unsavoury characters off our prom."
Mr Bottomley said the drunks needed help, but added: "I also believe it is intolerable for any part of Worthing seafront to become a distressed area for behaviour which is so disgusting that ordinary people are put off using one of Worthing's greatest amenities."
Insp Hodges said: "In recognition of the issue a team of four has been created for a period of six months. They will work very closely in partnership with the community safety unit and outreach workers.
"These people do need support to get their lives back on track. They are a distinct community who have rights, but that doesn't mean we won't enforce the law when they breach it."
p****d off (not up), seafront says...
3:12pm Sun 11 May 08
dontbother, Brighton says...
8:29pm Sun 11 May 08
Kickboxer, Worthing says...
8:39pm Sun 11 May 08
Snaggybird, worthing says...
9:14pm Sun 11 May 08
Alan, Worthing says...
9:46pm Sun 11 May 08
yukki, hangleton says...
9:48pm Sun 11 May 08
Snaggybird wrote:That's a very interesting, new take, on things. Now I think of it, I've always felt disgust at street drinkers, but never been made to feel afraid. But, certainly, some of the youth of today can be very intimidating at the most unexpected of times, ie, simply popping out for a takeaway and finding a hoarde of drinking loud youngsters on the corner. We don't hear of many 40 year old street drinkers stabbing people.
As a resident of worthing and a mother of two children who has lived close to the seafront for 6 years, I have to say the street drinkers dont cause me any problems, I have a dog that I regulary walk along the seafront and Denton Gardens and the aquamarina park, I have to say that its the kids that drink at night that intimidate me, where they shout and swear, throw bottles causing dangers for the children and other dogs that walk there. I can honestly say that most of the street drinkers have always been polite and caused no problem. Rid the streets of the large groups of street drinking, swearing, intimidating children then maybe I wont be so scared to walk my dog at 21.00 hours on a nice summers evening. I would be ashamed if these were my children
Ex Worthing PC, says...
10:09pm Sun 11 May 08
Ex Worthing PC, says...
10:15pm Sun 11 May 08
treetoucher, Sssex says...
10:38pm Sun 11 May 08
Snaggybird wrote:Well said.
As a resident of worthing and a mother of two children who has lived close to the seafront for 6 years, I have to say the street drinkers dont cause me any problems, I have a dog that I regulary walk along the seafront and Denton Gardens and the aquamarina park, I have to say that its the kids that drink at night that intimidate me, where they shout and swear, throw bottles causing dangers for the children and other dogs that walk there. I can honestly say that most of the street drinkers have always been polite and caused no problem.
Rid the streets of the large groups of street drinking, swearing, intimidating children then maybe I wont be so scared to walk my dog at 21.00 hours on a nice summers evening. I would be ashamed if these were my children
Had enough Resident, Brighton says...
12:12am Mon 12 May 08
Ronnie, whitehawk says...
4:18am Mon 12 May 08
treetoucher wrote:you are out of your tiny little mind. i like a drink but i dont go around urinating in peoples doorways and abusing people because im blind drunk 24hrs a day
Snaggybird wrote: As a resident of worthing and a mother of two children who has lived close to the seafront for 6 years, I have to say the street drinkers dont cause me any problems, I have a dog that I regulary walk along the seafront and Denton Gardens and the aquamarina park, I have to say that its the kids that drink at night that intimidate me, where they shout and swear, throw bottles causing dangers for the children and other dogs that walk there. I can honestly say that most of the street drinkers have always been polite and caused no problem. Rid the streets of the large groups of street drinking, swearing, intimidating children then maybe I wont be so scared to walk my dog at 21.00 hours on a nice summers evening. I would be ashamed if these were my childrenWell said. If the street drinkers are bothering any of you,why dont you go over and talk to them and tell them whats on your mind? They are only people you know! drunks are often worth chatting to,and can sometimes be quite interesting and funny if you take the time to be friendly,rather than just sneering at them. Some people are talking about them like there some kind of untouchable vermin,rather than just people with problems,and usually problems that could sneak up on any of you !
dontbother, Brighton says...
8:14am Mon 12 May 08
Kickboxer wrote:An addiction is not a mental illness. That's where this is all going wrong. Some people just don't have any self control and prefer to spend their life in a haze of alcohol.
"Get them out of town" How about locked up in a mental hospital as alcohol addiction is a mental illness! oh I forgot the government closed most of the secure mental hospitals to save money and sell the buildings/land to make even more money that was not put back into the community but has been used to line greedy politicians pockets.
Jules Copper, Worthing says...
8:18am Mon 12 May 08
The Wombat, Zog says...
11:34am Mon 12 May 08
FRED, worthing says...
2:13pm Mon 12 May 08
Rev. Ponge, brighton says...
5:30pm Mon 12 May 08
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Kickboxer, Worthing says...
2:59pm Sun 11 May 08