POLICE are cracking down on chronic anti-social behaviour around an ex-offenders hostel in Winchester, following a front page story in the Hampshire Chronicle.
A dispersal order has been issued after weeks of worsening behaviour around West View House in Hyde Gate, Hyde.
Neighbours have been repeatedly complaining to the police about repeated law-breaking including brazen drug dealing, constant foul language, threatening behaviour, sex and urinating in public, leaving neighbours, mainly OAPs, feeling unsafe in their homes.
West View House is run by A2 Dominion but local people say the hostel is not being properly managed. Hostel residents regularly appear in court on charges of shoplifting from city centre stores. Several have been jailed but allowed to return to live at the hostel, say neighbours.
The Chronicle highlighted the issue with a front page story on Thursday following a public meeting involving neighbours, city and county council officials and A2 Dominion on Tuesday. The police were invited but did not attend, but have now taken action following coverage in this newspaper. Two previous similar meetings have been held in recent months, which the Chronicle did not attend, and resulted in no action.
In a Facebook post, the police said the order was imposed from 4pm today (Friday, July 26) until 4pm on Sunday July 28.
It covers the area of Hyde, between Worthy Lane and River Park, in the map below:
(Image: Hampshire police)
Local resident Julian Perkins said: "Last night was just amazing. We had a multitude of police officers around the area and we had the first peaceful night in weeks. But Wednesday and Thursday nights were horrendous, the worst they have been.
"We are very grateful to the Hampshire Chronicle for their story and comment."
The police Facebook post said: "Dispersal orders enable police to deal with any issues of anti-social behaviour in a directed area more effectively, and gives our officers the power to order a person to leave the area with no return for a specified time period.
"Those who refuse to comply with the order are committing a criminal offence and are liable for arrest.
"Children between the ages of 10 and 16 who are issued with dispersal notices will be taken home to their parents/guardian, and officers will carry out follow-up work."
Inspector Matt Kirby, from Winchester police, said: “Anti-social behaviour and any associated criminality can make life miserable for local residents. As we move into the summer period, we want people to be able to enjoy the lighter evenings and warmer weather, but any anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“This has been an ongoing issue in the area throughout the year, and we are working with the relevant teams and partners to address your concerns. We will continue to use all tactics available to us to tackle anti-social behaviour, so please continue to report incidents to us.”
The Chronicle attended the meeting at the Hyde Gate community centre on Tuesday. Officers from Winchester City Council and Hampshire County Council were unhappy at the presence of a reporter but local people forced them to back down. One person said: "We want our voices heard, I'm glad the Chronicle is here."
The police issued a post on Facebook highlighting the patrolling of the order, saying there was "no agro (sic) to report".
In a statement last week A2 Dominion said of the residents: "Everyone (resident) has a designated support officer and an independent living plan to help them get their lives back on track after the trauma of being homeless".
But many residents from West View House have lived there for years and several have appeared in court on numerous occasions, been jailed and then returned to live at the hostel.
Mr Perkins said: "I hope the authorities that run West View House appreciate what the depth of feeling is. We have totally had enough of the goings on at West View House."
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