Sutton Bridge Parish Council debates menace of drunks and drug users

Drunks and drug users have become a menace in St Matthew’s churchyard and in Memorial Park.

The parish council heard that a drunk had defecated on a grave, drugs were “openly being handed out” in the park and youngsters were being stopped from playing their games of football.

Coun Terry York said a lady newly arrived in the village was horrified when she saw someone standing in the middle of the park “handing out little packets of whatever” while the kids were there.

“She comes from London,” said Coun York. “And she said ‘I have never seen it so blatant’.”

He said there were similar problems in the churchyard with people taking alcohol in.

“There were seven drunks in there yesterday,” said Coun York. “One of them has defecated on one of the graves.”

He said another had been sick and “there are drink cans everywhere”.

Coun York was one of a party that went into the churchyard, including the churchwarden, whom he described as “quite a big lad”, and said they had received quite a lot of abuse.

“They are just going into the off licence on the corner and coming out of there and straight into the churchyard,” he said.

On the night of the meeting, Coun Michael Booth said he had been told about drug-related activity in the park interfering with youngsters who were simply wanting to play football.

“I think it ought to be reported to the police,” said Coun Booth.

He urged anyone who witnessed anti-social activity in the village to report it to the police on 101.

Parish clerk Robert Smith reminded members that South Holland’s community wardens were recently approached for assistance, and given a record of problems in the park, with a view to creating a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO).

* A PSPO can ban acts such as drinking alcohol in a designated geographical area under powers set out in the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

In other news from the council:

*Sutton Bridge residents are being warned to safeguard themselves and their pets as the hare coursing season gets under way.

A local farmer said dogs used to chase hares will also chase cats and small dogs and “probably kill”.

He urged residents to do their bit to alert police when they see hare coursers and their vehicles while keeping themselves out of harm’s way.

“Please use the police 101 number,” he said.

“And if you can get the vehicle make and registration, please give those details to the police.

“But please don’t approach these people because they can be violent at times.”

The farmer said the hare coursers have started to return to South Holland now the fields are bare.

A 30 per cent fall in the crime locally has come about with a police policy of seizing dogs.

* Parish minute books from Sutton Bridge were reported as being up for sale on the internet buying and selling site, eBay, the parish council heard.

Clerk Robert Smith said once the ownership issue was pointed out, the minute books had been returned to their rightful place and archived.