Bagpipes blow up a storm for the homeless
FOR some, the sound of the bagpipes stirs the blood. To others, it is an ear-splitting annoyance.
Now English council chiefs have discovered an unusual use for Scotland’s national instrument – keeping the homeless away.
Bournemouth Borough Council is playing loud bagpipe music in a bus station throughout the night to stop people sleeping there. As part of a scheme to tackle antisocial behaviour, it is being played from midnight until 6.30am.
According to local traders at the Bournemouth Travel Interchange, it appears to be working.
One station worker said: ‘Basically, the council has been playing bagpipe music through the night and it seems to be doing the job.
‘They just cannot stand it. You try getting any sleep with that going on.
‘We’ve had hardly any problems with people sleeping next to the toilets since the council started playing it.’
The station was previously used by about a dozen homeless people seeking shelter at night. There were also reports of anti-social behaviour, with businesses complaining of drunken abuse.
Council officials claim the bagpipe music is helping to address these issues.
A spokesman said: ‘Reducing anti-social behaviour in the borough is a key priority. The council and police have been undertaking co-ordinated action around the travel interchange site to help address anti-social behaviour issues.
‘This has included regular police patrols, proactive input from our rough sleeper team and we have been trialling the playing of music in the evenings and night time to deter rough sleeping. All of these appear to be helping but we will continue to monitor the situation and will target further resources as needed.’
But not everyone supports the unusual approach. A Twitter post said: ‘Instead of scaring homeless away with bagpipes why can’t the council open an empty building? Give them shelter.’
In Scotland, Kenny Macleod, director of McCallum Bagpipes in Kilmarnock, said: ‘Piping isn’t for everybody, especially played loud.
‘Bagpipes are an acquired taste, some people would move on. It would be the same with other types of music. They should try out a few.’
Bournemouth mayor John Adams, a keen piper himself, said: ‘The pipes have to be very carefully administered. Let’s just say, you have to be careful that your audience appreciates them.’