PARK LOWLIFE!
DAD SAYS HE SEES VISITORS URINATING IN STREAM AND HAS STOPPED TAKING KIDS
A STREAM through a public park in Leicester is being regularly used a very public toilet by some visitors, according to witnesses.
Residents have raised concerns after numerous people have been reported using the watercourse in Spinney Hill Park to relieve themselves.
One dad, Asif Parekh, who lives opposite the park, said he used to visit the green space with his young children every day but has lately been “put off” due to people urinating in public.
“Whenever there is good weather the park can get busy,” he said. “Of course, people want to enjoy themselves, that’s no problem.
“But because there is no (toilet) facility in the park, people have been urinating in front of everyone in the stream that runs through the park and it’s not nice for the kids,” said the father-ofthree.
There are public toilets in East Park Road, which runs alongside the park.
Asif, 35, said: “I don’t feel unsafe in the park but last weekend, when we had good weather, every time I went to the park I saw people urinating.”
With more good weather expected, Asif said he is concerned that the disturbing behaviour will continue.
“The stream that they use also goes behind my house and that raises health and safety concerns too,” he added.
The Mercury visited Spinney Hill Park one afternoon last week to speak to nearby residents.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said she had not encountered any issues.
“I come to the park during the day sometimes it does get busy but I haven’t seen anything like that,” she said.
“Maybe it’s bad in the evening but I don’t come by at that time.”
The manager of a cafe in the park said although she had not seen people urinating in public, anti-social behaviour had been an ongoing issue. “I have noticed more drunk people around the park and there has always been an issue of anti-social behaviour - I can’t deny that’s a problem,” she said.
There are currently no rules that prohibit alcohol consumption inside the park and despite the concerns raised, police say no recent reports have been made to them regarding antisocial behaviour.
Inspector Yakub Ismail of East Leicester Neighbourhood Policing Area, said: “It is concerning that local residents have raised concerns about anti-social behaviour within Spinney Hill Park.
“Unfortunately those concerns have not been reported to the police or local authorities.
“Officers regularly patrol the park and surrounding area and we work closely with the local council and park wardens to address any issues identified.
“We take any report of antisocial behaviour seriously and will deal with those who spoil the enjoyment for others using the park.”
Public toilets neighbouring the park on East Park Road are open from 6am to 8pm between May and September, and until 6pm between October and April.
Under social distancing restrictions, the maximum capacity for the toilets is one person at a time and guidance on a temporary sign from the Leicester City Council asks the public to avoid using the toilets where possible.
Anyone who has concerns about anti-social behaviour or crime in the area are encouraged to report them to the police on 101 or via:
Last weekend, when we had good weather, every time I went to the park I saw people urinating
Asif Parekh