Vulnerable people 'being exploited' and forced to beg in antisocial behaviour hotspot in Bristol

Residents of a neighbourhood in Bristol which is affected by rising levels of antisocial behaviour (ASB) have expressed concern that vulnerable people are “being exploited”. It came after a public meeting, held at the Tobacco Factory in Southville on Saturday, October 26, between residents of Southville and Ashton Gate, councillors and police officers.

ASB on North Street and Back Road, and also outside Ashton Gate Primary School, has been on the rise, and a meeting chaired by Cllr Tony Dyer (Leader of the Council, Green Party) and Cllr Christine Townsend (Green Party) aimed to bring a discussion on what can be done to reduce drug-use and ASB. During the meeting, the extent of drug-use was laid bare as police revealed cuckooing was evident in Southville.

However, some of the issues of ASB in the South Bristol area were linked to a vulnerable person in a high-support accommodation located in the area. The accommodation, which we will not be naming, provides help for people with a history of homelessness and alcohol use.

One resident said during the meeting: “The police won’t come unless someone threatens to stab us.” Another resident said: “I feel like people are not being helped if they’re on the street,” whilst another added: “I see drug-dealing and drug-taking at 9.30am outside the school [Ashton Gate Primary School], it’s a big problem.

Speaking about the impact of the residents, one resident said: “They are threatening to stab each other, I feel like staff don't know what is going on. I feel like staff are very much over-stretched, the accommodation understaffed, and managers are constantly leaving.

“The most vulnerable people in our society are on the floor being exploited [by drug-dealers]. They need to get help as it is the same people constantly being affected.”

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Residents of Southville believe that the people living within the accommodation are being exploited and are forced to beg in front of the Aldi store on North Street. During the public meeting, Cllr Dyer said that the council were aware of the issues.

Cllr Dyer said: “Southville has some of the lowest life expectancies in Bristol. Poor health, drugs and drinking are causing people to become ill, we need to be looking after our residents [in the ward].”

Second Step, who run a number of accommodation projects in Bristol and the south west including the accommodation which was named by residents, said that it is working with a range of agencies to support their clients. Deputy Chief Executive Andy Warren said: “Second Step has been part of the community in Bedminster for over 20 years, working with vulnerable people facing multiple disadvantages, as part of Bristol City Council’s homelessness pathway. We’re aware of the ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour in the area.

“As was pointed out by the leader of the council and local councillor Tony Dyer, in a recent community meeting, residents from the area are victims of drug dealers and antisocial behaviour. This is a concern shared by our clients too.

“We work with a range of agencies to ensure our clients receive the support they need. We also need to work collectively to address any stigma they face. This is why we continue to strengthen our links with our neighbours, the police and partner organisations so we can address all these issues together as a community. The local media have an important role to play in this vital work.”

Police say action has been taken

The Southville neighbourhood team said that it was aware of the issues regarding ASB and that action is being taken. However, the force added that issues with ASB are being under-reported and the number of calls made to the constabulary is low.

A statement from Avon and Somerset Police said: “The Southville neighbourhood policing team (NPT) is aware of issues of ASB including street drinking in and around North Street.

"This remains a priority for the team of officers and PCSOs, who carry out foot patrols in the area when on duty. They have identified several individuals who are regularly challenged about drinking on the street and directed to go home when seen by neighbourhood officers.

“One man is linked to most of these incidents. As a result, officers have been working closely and collaboratively with staff at a homeless service as well as other statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure the man is able to access the support he needs. Alongside this, officers are using ASB legislation to deal with the behaviour which is affecting the wider community.

“Two people who have ignored community protection warnings with conditions such as not drinking alcohol in public have now been issued with community protection notices. Breaching a notice could lead to arrest and a court appearance.

“One of them was also issued a dispersal notice requiring them to leave the area and not return and was subsequently arrested and is due in court charged with breaching that. Officers are now working with the police ASB team to consider an application for a criminal behaviour order."

Neighbourhood Sergeant Stuart Williams said: "Tackling this sort of ASB can take time, because we have to follow a process throughout which evidence is built up, finally leading to applications to the court. I would stress again the importance of reporting incidents, ideally as they happen, by calling 101 or 999 if someone is at risk of getting hurt or a crime is happening.

"Our response colleagues are always dispatched based on the immediate risk of harm, so may not always attend, but your calls will help us to target our patrols, bid for other resources and allow us to make use of the legislation available."

What else was said at the public meeting?

The public meeting was organised after several residents requested a meeting with their ward councillors to discuss ASB in and around Southville. The council were described by a resident as “letting us down” following delays in holding the meeting, which is understood to have been earmarked since June.

It was understood that 200 letters were distributed to residents ahead of the meeting, which started with Cllr Dyer apologising for the delay. Cllr Dyer said: “We apologise that it took so long to organise this. There has been a considerable increase in ASB, particularly around the Ashton Gate Primary School and on North Street and Back Road.

“Residents have raised the issue of drug-dealing, which includes the use of crack cocaine and cannabis. We worry that the issue is being displaced rather than resolved.

“Back Lane is unlit which means that ASB is happening outside. Drug-dealing is happening in broad daylight and our concern is it is moving into residential areas as well.”

When asked by a resident what the answer would be to help reduce the drug use and street drinking that has impacted residents, Cllr Dyer said: “I don’t know what the solution is, that’s why we are all here to find an answer.”

PC Andrews said that the police were looking into a number of potential solutions which includes the potential of introducing a no-drinking zone around Southville. However, efforts to remove the bus seat from the bus stop outside Aldi were unsuccessful, but added that plain-clothed patrols were being undertaken.

Have you been affected by the rise in anti-social behaviour? Let me know at alex.driscoll@reachplc.com.