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Boozy yobs flout Blackburn street drinking ban
DRUNKEN yobs openly flouted an alcohol ban to drink in Blackburn Cathedral grounds.
Onlookers said that about 40 people swigging lager intimidated passers-by, despite booze being banned from the town centre, leaving cathedral staff to clean up the "squalor".
Police said that Wednesday's incident had been not been reported to them until today but officers immediately began patrolling the cathedral grounds to prevent a repeat.
They said they had begun to target the problem and had arrested one man in relation to it.
Fleming Square hairdresser Jeff Stone said: "They were drunken yobs, ranging from late teens to late 20s. They had their tops off and were openly drinking lager.
"It was just a dreadful sight. They created complete squalor and intimidated people with their very presence."
An alcohol ban has been in place in Blackburn town centre since 2002. Police have the power to confiscate any alcohol from drinkers, who can be arrested if they refuse to hand it over.
Beryl Sutherland, the manager of Cafe Bees on Church Street, said: "It's not the number of people I am worried about, it's the type of people. And I do worry about the security of the town at night."
Canon Chris Chivers said there was a funeral taking place at midday on Wednesday but that the trouble did not affect the service.
He said: "I didn't see them but I saw the mess they had left. There was a lot of litter.
"My concern is that is if we are serious about having a policy that's alcohol-free we need to police that.
"It's not doing us any good, and people get nervous.
"For the past 15 months we have had lots of young people on that grass, and that's good - but I suspect other elements also turn up and abuse it.
"It's frustrating for us because we've got a big exhibition on and it was a complete shambles after this.
"The police do a good job here but this must have been a blip."
Blackburn jeweller Phil Ainsworth, of the town centre marketing committee, said: "I did walk past the cathedral, and I noticed there were a lot of people there.
"There are different gangs in the town centre and it's something that's brought up at meetings. It's not what you want to see in the town centre."
Because of today's strike by the council's street cleaners, cathedral staff were left to pick up the litter.
Blackburn with Darwen Council is in the process of putting in place tougher borough-wide measures against on-street drinking.
Executive member for regeneration Coun Alan Cottam said: "It was unusually nice weather, but it's not acceptable if they are abusing the alcohol-free zone and we do not want members of the public harassed by people who are the worse for wear."
And community safety boss Coun John Slater added: "As a council we take it very seriously if people are intimidated walking through the cathedral grounds."
A 20-year-old man from Darwen was this evening arrested in connection with the incident.
Town Centre Sergeant Dave Clarke said: "We have spoken to Cathedral staff who have confirmed that they were people in the grounds on Wednesday. We have begun to target the problem and have arrested one man in relation to it."
A spokesman for Lancashire police, which has a town centre base across the Boulevard from the Cathedral, added: "Our neighbourhood policing teams carry out regular patrols throughout the town centre and will seize alcohol from anyone found drinking in public.
"We have a dedicated town centre team who are working with the cathedral to investigate this matter.
"Anyone who has information about people drinking in public should contact the police."
10:31pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: mike rigby, blackburn on 11:02pm Thu 8 May 08
It is high time these idle rats were weeded out and made to work. We are letting scum intimidate decent peoople, who are frightened to do anything for fear of arrest by the police. The anti- social are getting the upper hand and it's time it was stopped.
It is high time these idle rats were weeded out and made to work. We are letting scum intimidate decent peoople, who are frightened to do anything for fear of arrest by the police. The anti- social are getting the upper hand and it's time it was stopped.
Posted by: voice of reason, old bailey on 12:03am Fri 9 May 08
i agree mike, how can they afford to do this ? on the back of us taxpayers no doubt, round em up n force em to clean litter n do gardening for old folk
i agree mike, how can they afford to do this ? on the back of us taxpayers no doubt, round em up n force em to clean litter n do gardening for old folk
Posted by: escaped, Spain on 1:13am Fri 9 May 08
'Police said that Wednesday's incident had not been reported to them until today but officers immediately began patrolling the cathedral grounds to prevent a repeat'
Why did the police not see this incident as it was happening? Surely they had at least a couple of police officers/pcso's patrolling the town centre which on Wednesday is after all a market day and one of the busiest days of the week? There must also be a clear view of the Cathederal Grounds from the 'office' on the boulevard!
Intellegence or antecedent history should tell them that there was the posibility of problems, with the cheap booze, market day, giro day and sunny day, or are pre-emptive measures not in their remit any more?
'Police said that Wednesday's incident had not been reported to them until today but officers immediately began patrolling the cathedral grounds to prevent a repeat'
Why did the police not see this incident as it was happening? Surely they had at least a couple of police officers/pcso's patrolling the town centre which on Wednesday is after all a market day and one of the busiest days of the week? There must also be a clear view of the Cathederal Grounds from the 'office' on the boulevard!
Intellegence or antecedent history should tell them that there was the posibility of problems, with the cheap booze, market day, giro day and sunny day, or are pre-emptive measures not in their remit any more?
Posted by: Blackburn Bord & Bred, Blackburn on 1:49am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]escaped[/bold] wrote:
'Police said that Wednesday's incident had not been reported to them until today but officers immediately began patrolling the cathedral grounds to prevent a repeat' Why did the police not see this incident as it was happening? Surely they had at least a couple of police officers/pcso's patrolling the town centre which on Wednesday is after all a market day and one of the busiest days of the week? There must also be a clear view of the Cathederal Grounds from the 'office' on the boulevard! Intellegence or antecedent history should tell them that there was the posibility of problems, with the cheap booze, market day, giro day and sunny day, or are pre-emptive measures not in their remit any more?[/quote] I have to say this post is quite excellent & one of real insight.
I'm sorry people like yourself have left Blackburn because your badly needed.
Your view as renforced my believe that it isn't just me that views things this way.
A broad outlook & one of real sense & most significantly - A solution!!
A great post.
escaped wrote:
'Police said that Wednesday's incident had not been reported to them until today but officers immediately began patrolling the cathedral grounds to prevent a repeat' Why did the police not see this incident as it was happening? Surely they had at least a couple of police officers/pcso's patrolling the town centre which on Wednesday is after all a market day and one of the busiest days of the week? There must also be a clear view of the Cathederal Grounds from the 'office' on the boulevard! Intellegence or antecedent history should tell them that there was the posibility of problems, with the cheap booze, market day, giro day and sunny day, or are pre-emptive measures not in their remit any more?
I have to say this post is quite excellent & one of real insight.
I'm sorry people like yourself have left Blackburn because your badly needed.
Your view as renforced my believe that it isn't just me that views things this way.
A broad outlook & one of real sense & most significantly - A solution!!
A great post.
Posted by: jcb on 6:58am Fri 9 May 08
Problems like this are not going to go away until the powers that be start to operate a zero tolerance approach. If that approach can clean up New York City, surely it can do the same for Blackburn. And start paying benefits in vouchersfor which you cannot buy alcohol. There must be something wrong with a system that gives money to people because they are alcoholics or druggies.
Problems like this are not going to go away until the powers that be start to operate a zero tolerance approach. If that approach can clean up New York City, surely it can do the same for Blackburn. And start paying benefits in vouchersfor which you cannot buy alcohol. There must be something wrong with a system that gives money to people because they are alcoholics or druggies.
Posted by: Insp Morse, oxford on 8:06am Fri 9 May 08
im sure if any of these numptys had had a car nearby then the cathedral grounds would have been swarming with police & no doubt the helicopter would also be hovering; The only offences which see to be enforced are those which involve anything to do with motoring - EASY PICKINGS !! ( BTW - WHAT HAPPENED TO CCTV !)
im sure if any of these numptys had had a car nearby then the cathedral grounds would have been swarming with police & no doubt the helicopter would also be hovering; The only offences which see to be enforced are those which involve anything to do with motoring - EASY PICKINGS !! ( BTW - WHAT HAPPENED TO CCTV !)
Posted by: Johnnyboy, Blackburn on 8:49am Fri 9 May 08
What are these totally unacceptable comments from the police 'the incident wasnt reported until the day after'.
Are they saying there isnt a town centre police presence anymore, how ineffective, incapable they seem with comments like this.
People seen standing drinking alchol in an open space clear to all an sundry in the middle of the town centre, disgraceful - there are no excuses for Jack Straws police force.
This just highlights the failures of the police management in the town - sack the lot and lets get some competent people in to do the job .
What are these totally unacceptable comments from the police 'the incident wasnt reported until the day after'.
Are they saying there isnt a town centre police presence anymore, how ineffective, incapable they seem with comments like this.
People seen standing drinking alchol in an open space clear to all an sundry in the middle of the town centre, disgraceful - there are no excuses for Jack Straws police force.
This just highlights the failures of the police management in the town - sack the lot and lets get some competent people in to do the job .
Posted by: stooball66, backburn on 8:55am Fri 9 May 08
Did you notice the PCSO in the picture
Pcso s have no powers whatsoever they are useless .Why no police ?get real is there ever any police they wont go into a situation where the scum might attack them someone said that the police should have a pay rise what for???????
Did you notice the PCSO in the picture
Pcso s have no powers whatsoever they are useless .Why no police ?get real is there ever any police they wont go into a situation where the scum might attack them someone said that the police should have a pay rise what for???????
Posted by: wes, highercroft on 10:00am Fri 9 May 08
they were only enjoying a drink on a nice day whats wrong with that
they were only enjoying a drink on a nice day whats wrong with that
Posted by: Old Git, Darwen on 10:47am Fri 9 May 08
Why do we have cctv if its not used, If these people had to work then they would not have the time to do this make them work for there money get them putting all the grave stones back and made safe,get them repairing the walls on cravens brow, these jobs wont effect anyone else, no one does them now. Give the dole dossers £10 a extra to do these jobs, if they wont do them give them nothing at all.
Why do we have cctv if its not used, If these people had to work then they would not have the time to do this make them work for there money get them putting all the grave stones back and made safe,get them repairing the walls on cravens brow, these jobs wont effect anyone else, no one does them now. Give the dole dossers £10 a extra to do these jobs, if they wont do them give them nothing at all.
Posted by: Danny, Church on 12:00pm Fri 9 May 08
What do you mean "Whats wrong with it" Wes?"
WTF is right with it?
You wanna enjoy a drink on a warm day then either do it in a beer garden or on your own property and no intimidating people or revolting them with your clothes off. Ewwwww, im sorry but i wouldnt want my kids to see a bunch of smackheads/alcis with their horrible skinny/fat bodies on show.
What do you mean "Whats wrong with it" Wes?"
WTF is right with it?
You wanna enjoy a drink on a warm day then either do it in a beer garden or on your own property and no intimidating people or revolting them with your clothes off. Ewwwww, im sorry but i wouldnt want my kids to see a bunch of smackheads/alcis with their horrible skinny/fat bodies on show.
Posted by: Ray Tucker, Spain on 12:32pm Fri 9 May 08
I have to agree with the sensible comments made above. But for many years now the Authorities have lost the streets, and respect of most law abiding citizens.
In the past Blackburn was Policed by a Force who were proud to serve in the Borough, lived in the Borough thus knowing the Borough and its problems. How many Police Officers live in the Borough now ?.
Residents of the town now have a Police presence, who we can no longer call a Force or Service as neither apply. The are re- active instead of pro-active and so the law breaking element have a free reign.
In the past the Town Centre alone has six officers on duty at anyone time with the back up of mobile and traffice patrols. Now I doubt if they turn out six officers for the entire Borough on many occasions.
The service provided by the Lancashire Constabulary is next to zero, and its Chief Officers and those one the Police Committee should hang their heads in shame.
I have to agree with the sensible comments made above. But for many years now the Authorities have lost the streets, and respect of most law abiding citizens.
In the past Blackburn was Policed by a Force who were proud to serve in the Borough, lived in the Borough thus knowing the Borough and its problems. How many Police Officers live in the Borough now ?.
Residents of the town now have a Police presence, who we can no longer call a Force or Service as neither apply. The are re- active instead of pro-active and so the law breaking element have a free reign.
In the past the Town Centre alone has six officers on duty at anyone time with the back up of mobile and traffice patrols. Now I doubt if they turn out six officers for the entire Borough on many occasions.
The service provided by the Lancashire Constabulary is next to zero, and its Chief Officers and those one the Police Committee should hang their heads in shame.
Posted by: Hellboy, Daytime Alcoholics Hell.. on 12:55pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]wes[/bold] wrote:
they were only enjoying a drink on a nice day whats wrong with that[/quote] I think we should pop round to your house,sit outside it and be generally obnoxious,then you might have some insight into what the decent people commenting on this article are talking about...
Having said that,you would probably to drunk yourself to even notice...
wes wrote:
they were only enjoying a drink on a nice day whats wrong with that
I think we should pop round to your house,sit outside it and be generally obnoxious,then you might have some insight into what the decent people commenting on this article are talking about...
Having said that,you would probably to drunk yourself to even notice...
Posted by: Enough, Looking down the right end of a barrel on 1:16pm Fri 9 May 08
F*#k the filth what will thay do take their beer off them , waste of time, how do you get rid of rats and other vermin ? simple really , if you dont it will just get worse..
F*#k the filth what will thay do take their beer off them , waste of time, how do you get rid of rats and other vermin ? simple really , if you dont it will just get worse..
Posted by: Johnnyboy, Blackburn on 2:36pm Fri 9 May 08
Just heard that the police or pcso's did see the group drinking on the cathedral land but chose not to act.
Then i'm told Straw our minister for injustice is secretly opening bail hostels up around town- what an incompetent clown does Blackburn really need him.
Then i'm told there are around sixty peados in town and that three bobbies take particular interest in protecting the schoolchildren of St. Annes r&c school.
Jack Straw seems hell bent on destroying any social fabric that may be left in the town, so so sad were are we going ?
Just heard that the police or pcso's did see the group drinking on the cathedral land but chose not to act.
Then i'm told Straw our minister for injustice is secretly opening bail hostels up around town- what an incompetent clown does Blackburn really need him.
Then i'm told there are around sixty peados in town and that three bobbies take particular interest in protecting the schoolchildren of St. Annes r&c school.
Jack Straw seems hell bent on destroying any social fabric that may be left in the town, so so sad were are we going ?
Posted by: J, Blackburn on 4:48pm Fri 9 May 08
How irritating it is to be at work not being able to enjoy the sunshine, all the while paying my taxes so these unemployed yobs can get **** at my expense.
How irritating it is to be at work not being able to enjoy the sunshine, all the while paying my taxes so these unemployed yobs can get **** at my expense.
Posted by: ivor biggun, sat in park on 7:58pm Fri 9 May 08
i was one of those people that was enjoying a nice bottle of white lightening until people like you lot turned up and ruined it.as for saying i should get a job...i have a job i know its only community service but it's still a job..anyway got to go the library is shutting bye bye
i was one of those people that was enjoying a nice bottle of white lightening until people like you lot turned up and ruined it.as for saying i should get a job...i have a job i know its only community service but it's still a job..anyway got to go the library is shutting bye bye
Posted by: mm, lancs on 9:28pm Fri 9 May 08
PCSO'S useless .I think not .think of all the alcohol they have seized when they work late. Do you do anything !
PCSO'S useless .I think not .think of all the alcohol they have seized when they work late. Do you do anything !
Posted by: Worse still to come, not in town in July on 9:53pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote]quote[/quote] [quote]Executive member for regeneration Coun Alan Cottam said: "It was unusually nice weather, but it's not acceptable if they are abusing the alcohol-free zone and we do not want members of the public harassed by people who are the worse for wear."[/quote] Well its just a tiny taster of What we can expect come July as'ARTS IN THE PARK'[bold]SORRY[/bold] 'ARTS IN THE TOWN CENTER'
quote
Executive member for regeneration Coun Alan Cottam said: "It was unusually nice weather, but it's not acceptable if they are abusing the alcohol-free zone and we do not want members of the public harassed by people who are the worse for wear."
Well its just a tiny taster of What we can expect come July as'ARTS IN THE PARK'
SORRY 'ARTS IN THE TOWN CENTER'
Posted by: Arriane, Great Harwood on 12:53am Sun 11 May 08
It was awful having to walk past them on Wednesday. I have an evening class i go to after work, and having to go through a large group of drunken yobs is really rather frightening.
It was awful having to walk past them on Wednesday. I have an evening class i go to after work, and having to go through a large group of drunken yobs is really rather frightening.
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