Town benches removed over antisocial behaviour
REMOVING benches from Church Square in order to address concerns about antisocial behaviour is just ‘moving the problem on’, according to the rector of St Peter Port.
Parish constable Zoe Lihou ordered the seating to be taken away for a trial period after receiving repeated complaints from parishioners about people getting drunk in the area during the day. There have been reports of swearing, urinating and even allegations of a man exposing himself. She said the benches were removed on Friday after she had consulted with community police officers.
‘Already, people are saying “Well done – that’s improved my walk back to my car”, so we’ve had a positive early response from people who use the area,’ she said.
‘The purpose of the trial is to see if there is an uplift in behaviour. There’s a feral element to “we can sit where we like and do what we want”. There’s a reason you don’t take kids into a pub in the evening. We’re just trying something different.’
But the Rev. Matthew Barrett fears removing the benches puts ‘too much focus on the thing that is not the problem’.
‘The benches have become the focal point’, he said. ‘But at the church, we care deeply for those who often are sitting on the benches. We know their names. We care for them. Removing the benches is trying to move the problem away but it doesn’t solve the problem for those people, who have complicated lives.’
He said it was not the remit of the constables to deal with the health issues of islanders and that what was required was a substantial space where the most vulnerable in society could be properly cared for.
Mrs Lihou has set up a meeting next Monday [16 August] with Bailiwick law enforcement to discuss antisocial behaviour in the area, as well as street lighting, cycling in pedestrianised areas and the possibility of establishing alcohol-free zones.
A representative for Guernsey Police said: ‘We have been working with all the parties involved with Church Square, including the church wardens, the parish and the community who regularly use the area, in seeking to address the reported problems of antisocial behaviour.’
Charlotte Dunsterville, chief consumer officer at Sure, said the company was reviewing a request from the States to remove the phone boxes in Church Square.
But it did have concerns about an automated external defibrillator housed in one of the boxes.
The defibrillator was funded by the Sure Community Foundation and it worked with the island’s Cardiac Action Group to install in 2015.
‘We believe it is a vital resource for the community. If we were to remove the phone boxes we’d certainly want to keep the AED active and accessible,’ Ms Dunsterville said.
