Drink, drugs, abusive behaviour at station
DRINK and drugs are regularly being brought on trains from Wigan to Southport and are fuelling anti-social behaviour, a report has claimed.
According to the report, prepared by Simon Evans, antisocial behaviour senior practitioner at Sefton Council, the area around the station is being blighted by abusive groups who urinate and defecate.
They are said to hide cans of alcohol to consume in areas where drinking is forbidden, use verbally abusive language, and are involved in anti-social behaviour and low-level crime.
Meanwhile, police resources are too stretched to adequately tackle the issue and their presence at critical times cannot be guaranteed.
The issues have been identified by the council, British Transport Police, and Merseyside Police and are affecting areas at both entrances to the train station plus Chapel Street, Tulketh Street, London Street and Lord Street.
As a result, the authority is considering a ban on drinking alcohol in the affected area and even give police the power to break up groups of more than two people if they believe they could lead to anti-social behaviour or low-level crime.
The proposed rules would also expressly forbid people to defecate or urinate in the area and stop them using “offensive and or aggressive language that may have a detrimental effect upon other users”.
Evidence provided by the chair of Southport Station Improvement Project the railway station’s manager cites problems of drug use and begging as well as issues with teenagers causing vandalism.
It states: “As described below, the hard-core ‘associates’ moved their operations to the stone bench next the junction of Chapel St and London St. (now under repair) and although the Police have conducted a number of swoops on individuals, a new cast of characters has emerged who now populate the bench adjacent to the Roman retail outlet at the corner of the Station Arcade passageway.
“Their activities are similar to those of the ‘original’ KF Street Drinkers – visible alcohol consumption and drug related activity.
“The detritus of their activities (cans/bottles etc) are often found in the door wells of the fire escapes to Wilko/CEX retail outlets inside the Arcade passageway. These activities are taking place daily in the town’s ‘No-Drinking Zones’.”
The evidence continues to explain one person, dubbed RB, is well known in the town centre and has become a cause of concern through his begging during the early morning rush hour. It is believed he has accommodation, though his other circumstances are not known.
In relation to the problems associated with youths, the chair and manager’s evidence says: “Another aspect of what appears to be a rising level of lawlessness in and around the station area is the recent criminal damage by a group of youths to the barrier on the ramp leading to the Station roof service area (Tulketh St.)
“It is understood that one of the participants has been identified (via video footage) and the local Police Support Officer informed.’’
Issues around the station car park were also identified.
In relation to drug use, the evidence says the impact “cannot be underestimated”.
Furthermore, BTP resources are “stretched” and while Merseyside Police is carrying out swoops, further law enforcement resources “would be welcome” to protect the public and lend support to those who live and work nearby.
It states: “‘Crates’ of alcohol have been observed being carried off Northern Trains (Manchester line) as early as 10.30am (Wigan suspected as
From left: cans strewn around the station area; begging, especially during rush hour; and rubbish left on nearby benches are all cited as problems by Sefton Council – along with the bringing of drink and drugs on trains from Greater Manchester the embarkation point). It is also understood that drug related ‘imports’ are evident on both Northern Trains and Merseyrail trains.
“Such activities suggest that these activities contribute to the existing problems that Southport Station and environs continue to experience on a daily basis and is likely to increase once lockdown has ceased and the number of visitors to the town increases over the summer period.”
The report will be presented to Sefton Public Engagement and Consultation Panel ahead of a consultation due to run between September 14 and October 1.