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Police and council to increase patrols on Stamford Meadows to tackle booze-fuelled, drug-taking litter louts




Revellers have been coming to Stamford’s meadows in their droves to drink booze, take drugs and leave litter strewn across the beauty spot.

The head of a voluntary litter-picking team said the scene that confronted him on Tuesday morning (June 2) was “horrendous” and the worst he had ever witnessed.

The town council has now sought reassurance from both the police and South Kesteven District Council that there will be increased patrols by police and enforcement officers.

Litter found on Stamford meadows by Pride of Stamford Litter Pickers (35927889)
Litter found on Stamford meadows by Pride of Stamford Litter Pickers (35927889)

It comes as tourist spots across the UK saw similar scenes, as people took advantage of the relaxed lockdown rules to spend time in the sun.

Many young people appeared to be flouting the social distancing guidance by meeting up in large numbers.

Neil McIvor, 51, who has been clearing rubbish from the town centre for years, told the Mercury: “These people have no respect. They are youngsters from the town, sons and daughters of Stamford people. I know every last one of them.

“I don’t speak to them because it causes trouble. The last time I named and shamed any of them I received death threats.”

Litter on The Meadows in Stamford incuding laughing gas canisters (35973605)
Litter on The Meadows in Stamford incuding laughing gas canisters (35973605)

He said he had been shocked by the number of beer and wine bottles, plastic cups, camping chairs and disposable barbecues scattered across the grass.

He had also seen people blatantly smoking cannabis on The Meadows, and found nitrous oxide ‘laughing gas’ cannisters and empty cocaine bags.

“The word that popped into my head on Tuesday was ‘horrendous’,” said father-of-four Neil, who describes himself as the town’s King of Litter. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen it.”

At a meeting of Stamford Town Council’s amenities committee on Wednesday, town clerk Patricia Stuart-Mogg said council workers had been filling up 47 bags of rubbish almost every day.

Litter found on Stamford meadows by (35927905)
Litter found on Stamford meadows by (35927905)

“This just can’t go on,” she said. “There’s a small element that always ruins things and we’ve got litter issues, we’ve got drink issues and we’ve got drug issues.

“We’ve got so many burnt patches on the meadows now, due to the barbecues. It will cost the taxpayer. Police and enforcement officers are increasing their patrols.”

The mayor, Coun Maxine Couch, said The Meadows needed to be patrolled between 8pm and 2am to catch the culprits.

She told the committee: “I feel really strongly that this is happening on our meadows and our police should be attacking it with full force.”

Coun Gloria Johnson added: “It’s awful. You just can’t understand the youths of today.”

Litter found on Stamford meadows by (35927909)
Litter found on Stamford meadows by (35927909)

Meanwhile, similar scenes were spotted at the Uffington Meadows, at the back of Uffington Road.

One resident said she and her partner had been on a walk on Tuesday only to be confronted by rubbish strewn everywhere.

“It was just awful,” she said. “Very disappointing behaviour from the minority, who will ruin the path back to normality for the many, who are abiding by the government rules.”

Campaign group Plastic Free Stamford thanked Neil’s team for their efforts.

Litter on The Meadows in Stamford incuding laughing gas canisters (35973610)
Litter on The Meadows in Stamford incuding laughing gas canisters (35973610)

They said on social media: “We are so lucky in Stamford to have a dedicated team of volunteers to help clean up this mess but it’s unthinkable how much has already entered the river.”

Coun Dave Dorson echoed the sentiment at Wednesday’s committee meeting. He said: “Massive thanks to Neil McIvor and the Pride of Stamford Litter Pickers. These guys really are something else.”



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