Call to ban booze outside job centre
EVIDENCE is being gathered to support an application to ban people from drinking alcohol outside a job centre.
But police say an extension of the current alcohol restriction zone in Hanley is not something they are considering.
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DRINK PROBLEM: Hanley Jobcentre Plus.
Police have received increased calls about anti-social behaviour in the Upper Huntbach Street area of Hanley since a Jobcentre Plus opened in March. They include complaints about drug-taking, street-drinking and gangs.
The centre was opened in March following the closures of the Job Centre in Cannon Street and the benefits office in Stafford Street. But the new office falls outside the city centre's alcohol-free zone.
Despite calls from residents for the alcohol ban to be extended to cover the job centre and surrounding streets, police say there is not enough evidence of drink-related problems to support a ban at the present time.
However, Eirian Jones, aged 55, who lives in St John Street, said anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood has increased since the job centre opened.
He said: "There are people drinking outside from 7am and you see them taking drugs in broad daylight.
"I've had my bike stolen and house damaged, and other people in the street have suffered damage to property.
"I've had to put cameras up at the front of my house because it's got that bad.
"Something needs doing because people are getting sick of all the trouble. No-one would want this dumped on their doorsteps, like it has been on ours."
John Szymanski, aged 48, of Eaton Street, Northwood, said: "I think an alcohol ban would definitely help.
"I believe this is the only job centre in the country that is in a residential area. It's just not a suitable location for it."
But city centre neighbourhood commander, Inspector Shaun Kerrigan, said: "When the weather improves there might be more people sitting outside drinking and it could be then that we look at introducing a ban, but hopefully we will have resolved the issues by then.
"There is not enough evidence to support an alcohol restriction zone at present. We will continue to monitor the situation by providing high visibility patrols."
A spokesman for the Department For Work And Pensions said it was aware of issues raised and were working with community, businesses and police to address concerns.
Councillor Joan Bell, portfolio holder for community safety on the city council, said: "We are still in the process of gathering evidence regarding the possibility of an alcohol restriction zone in Upper Huntbach Street.
"We have to show we have explored every other option before a restriction zone can be approved."
17 Comments
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by Stacey, Northwood
Tuesday, July 28 2009, 11:34AM
“I live in this area too, and it is really bad, I am a professional and i was recently made redundant, therefore i have to sign on at the Hanley Job Centre. On my walk to the job centre it is horrible, its very intimidating and unpleasant, and if i had children i would not walk this route with them. These people are an embarrassment to themselves and to the people that are unfortunately out of employment and are actively seeking work. This problem was caused by the inexperienced and uneducated planning officers of S-O-T City Council placing this building in its present location and it needs rectifying. I do not believe the police have any powers to move these people on. There is no such thing as preventative crime, its more of a case as responsive crime, unfortunately theres not a lot we can do about it. I do not feel regenerating this area would also help take them out of sight and out of mind.”
by Pete, Hanley
Thursday, July 16 2009, 4:01PM
“I think the way the Job centre is run is ridiculous. All these people hanging outside the job centre that look very intimidating and yet the security guards insist that my girl friend waits outside with them whileI am in there. I think it's alarming that some of those weak minded security guards do not realise the risk they are putting on my girlfreind. This issue needs to be looked at because one day something will happen”
by LC, Stoke
Thursday, July 02 2009, 5:52PM
“These people are intimidating and threatening both inside and outside of the Job Centre Plus. The Police need to play a more active part in moving these groups on especially when they are openly doing drugs, rolling around drunk, shouting abuse and threatening residents and Job Centre staff. If they behave in such a way their benefits should be stopped because the people they are affecting are the very tax payers that are funding their drink and drugs habits! Its no wonder that in this recession hard working people feel embarrassed and humiliated coming to sign on when they feel they will be associated with the scrotes that hang around the area.”
by rob, stoke
Monday, February 16 2009, 12:08PM
“on some of the comments u need grow up not all ppl on social want to b on it not all r drug takin asylem seekiers or drunks sum ppl like me r signed of by a dr as we r genuinly unfit to work id love to swap my health problems for my old mechanics job but if ya told ya unfit to get work wot ya spose do i mean yes there r ppl out there that do need money stoppin as they dont deserve it but at end of day not every1 is the same ur all judgin a book by it cover i believe police shud ban n ne1 found goin against it get done n lose money but for ppl to slate all that dont work grow up sum of us cant by law but if we did ud start on that as its making ur work enviroment unsafe so wtf act ya age n think b4 u speak!!!!!!”
by David, Stoke-on-Trent
Thursday, January 01 2009, 8:30AM
“An alcohol restriction zone does not 'ban' street drinking. It simply requires you to stop drinking on one occasion, when you're told to by a police officer. If people think an alcohol restriction zone will solve the jobless and antisocial behaviour problems in S-o-T, they are sadly deluded.”
by rhino, newcastle
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 7:01PM
“bunch of bloody jobless bums,wish i could doss and stay at home all day and get drunk oh...................hang on i cant i have to GO TO WORK. to provide for my family (before i get made redundant in a few weeks time)then i will have the pleasure of going there myself but it wont be for a can of tennents super out the front ,all thats happened is they have moved from the old bus station and in front of argos ,the answers easy MOVE THEM ON .”
by BJ, Stoke
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 5:24PM
“Typical of the Police and councilos opinion on the restriction zones. All they're interested in is the look of the City centre, never mind the outskirts where all these scum hangout. Make all public places alcohol free and get the scum off the streets!
P.S. To the Council - stop living the dream that Hanley is some kind of cultural area.....its a dump full of alchies and druggies! You know it, we know it, just admit it!”
by kelly, stoke
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 5:03PM
“i just want to say not everyone that attends that job centre pr any other is a down and out drug or alcohol addict,which it seems people are suggesting.some ARE actually looking for work.”
by Jonathan, Etruria
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 4:46PM
“"Stop their money, end off"!?!? I'm suprised you have a job with you being unable to spell "of".
Also I think we should be more sympathetic to the unemployed considering the current state of affairs.
How ever I do agree that an alcohol free zone should be supported but not just outside of the job centre but anywhere that's public property. If you can't walk down the street without a beer then the problem isn't the police fining you.”
by Anthony, Mount Pleasant
Wednesday, December 31 2008, 3:54PM
“I feel genuinely sorry for the local residents and especially the staff of the jobcentre.
Some of the scum that gets in there is beyond belief.
Worst thing is they arent even looking for a job, they are just going through the process to sign on and get more taxpayers money.
Scum of the earth the lot of em!”