Worry over street drinkers in Widcombe
Community leaders in Widcombe are looking at ways of reducing the number of street drinkers in the area.
Drinkers are currently gathering in the car park under Widcombe Social Club, which is about to be rebuilt.
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Widcombe Social Club
B&NES Ccouncil and police are working together to find the best way of resolving the problem, and are in talks with the social club committee.
Councillor Ian Gilchrist (Lib Dem, Widcombe) said: “The social club has an area underneath which was used for parking.
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“As it is undercover, it attracts street drinkers, which is becoming a problem.
“I was made aware of the problem by residents, who complained to me about the abusive behaviour they received from them.
“I have been in discussions with the current owners of the social club about what to do about the problem.
“One idea is getting the drinkers out, and boarding up the area so there is no way back in.”
Social club treasurer Chris Rogers said: “We are very aware of the issue and did indeed discuss it at our last committee meeting. “The police have tried to help but they have been unable to move the street sleepers on.
“We are now seeking professional advice on the matter and will do our best to get a satisfactory result in advance of the demolition of the building - which will start as soon as the final details involved in planning approval have been resolved.”
10 Comments
by jonquil
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:33AM
“Widdy and troubleat....You seem to be adept at blaming the police, this building in Widcombe especially after the painting addition has made it more attractive to street drinkers etc, combined with the off licence in Widcombe, who happily sell booze to them, then the bad winter. When drinkers are moved on, they go elsewhere. Bath is attractive to them because of its tourism and rich pickings. To stop them gathering there, it needs to be redeveloped quickly and not left in a run down condition, blame the owners, not the police who do a sterling job. The police have to treat the drinkers as human beings and with respect, and rightly so.”
by jonquil
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:33AM
“Widdy and troubleat....You seem to be adept at blaming the police, this building in Widcombe especially after the painting addition has made it more attractive to street drinkers etc, combined with the off licence in Widcombe, who happily sell booze to them, then the bad winter. When drinkers are moved on, they go elsewhere. Bath is attractive to them because of its tourism and rich pickings. To stop them gathering there, it needs to be redeveloped quickly and not left in a run down condition, blame the owners, not the police who do a sterling job. The police have to treat the drinkers as human beings and with respect, and rightly so.”
by jonquil
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:32AM
“Widdy and troubleat....You seem to be adept at blaming the police, this building in Widcombe especially after the painting addition has made it more attractive to street drinkers etc, combined with the off licence in Widcombe, who happily sell booze to them, then the bad winter. When drinkers are moved on, they go elsewhere. Bath is attractive to them because of its tourism and rich pickings. To stop them gathering there, it needs to be redeveloped quickly and not left in a run down condition, blame the owners, not the police who do a sterling job. The police have to treat the drinkers as human beings and with respect, and rightly so.”
by Widdy
Thursday, March 14 2013, 12:43PM
“ToubleatMill, I encourage you to do the right thing and name and shame - this is in the public interest both for innappropriate policing and the social mess that it creates.”
by FredofoffBath
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 6:59PM
“Got to be better than in victoria park in front of the visitors to the crescent though?”
by geoffone1
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 2:52PM
“The people of Widcombe should thank the Kingsmead Square traders and the wethouse nimbys for this, as they were the main opposition to finding a lasting solution to the problem.
http://tinyurl.com/c4bjh8w”
by troubleatmill
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 1:15PM
“The reason for the increased street drinking in Widcombe is a direct result of the actions by one particular police constable. This city based PC has taken it upon himself to clean up Bath and to warn troublesome drinkers that he will be on their case unless they drink the "other side" of the river. I am not going to name him or give his number, but ask a street drinker and they will happily give you the full story.”
by Widdy
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 12:24PM
“Street drinkers behaviour has been a problem in Widcombe for the last 2 years . So called community leaders , police and other agencies have proved inept at facing up to the issue and finding a solution so there is no confidence that they will come up with anything either practical, acceptable to all or creative now. Its not the drinkers predicament but the behaviour that is the problem here, and boarding up the WSC will not solve the issue in the slightest.”
by DaveF_Walcot
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 11:12AM
“"As it is undercover, it attracts street drinkers"
Really? How do you know some are not paid up members of the Temperance movement?”
by AbandonShip
Wednesday, March 13 2013, 10:27AM
“1. Leave drinkers where they are
2. Insert bricks into gaps in wall shown in photo
3. Clean off pictures from rest of wall
4. Result”