Action call as park problem hits ‘new low’
Claims of parties and drug use in popular space
AFATHER has said his children are kept awake at night by antisocial behaviour in a nearby park.
The dad, who wished to remain anonymous, lives in College Road, Cheltenham.
He said there has been a number of incidents at Sandford Park he has reported to police over the past few months, but the behaviour has continued.
He said the behaviour has got worse since the start of lockdown and that he is aware of people taking drugs and partying.
The dad said: “My two children’s rooms are closest to the park, so they’re affected the most with the noise. It keeps them up.
“I’ve contacted the council and the police, my wife had to call the police because there was one incident where people were actually smashing up the play park during lock down.”
He said the biggest issue they’d been having is late night parties and gatherings in the larger side of Sandford Park, sometimes even lasting until 1.30am in the morning.
He added there has been an increase of drug use in the other side of the park, on the side of College Road.
He said: “On the morning of Sunday July 12, we woke to find that the noise emanating from Sandford Park last night was made by a group of drug users.
“The anti-social behaviour that has been going on during lockdown has been bad - but this was a new low. There were two boxes of Nitrous oxide canisters strewn over the road.”
The family have lived in the property for only a year, so have said although they were not in the house during last summer, it had seemed the problems had increased on the bank holidays and warm weekends.
Officers operating within the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team have reported however they “have not witnessed any anti-social behaviour related offences in the park” and that officers “are finding people are using the area as a place to meet with others while socially distancing”.
A spokesman for Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Officers from the Cheltenham Neighbourhood Policing Team are aware of concerns that have been raised about anti-social behaviour at Sandford Park.
“The team has been conducting patrols in the area, including those with plain clothed officers, and are positively engaging with members of the public as well as liaising with colleagues at Cheltenham Borough Council.
“No anti-social behaviour related offences in the park have been witnessed and officers are finding that people are using the area as a place to meet with others whilst socially distancing.”
Anyone who does have concerns about anti-social behaviour at parks in Cheltenham is asked to report this by calling 101 or submitting information ay
The anti-social behaviour that has been going on during lockdown has been bad - but this was a new low The dad of two